Mungoon-Gali

Mungoon-Gali was a giant goanna from Australian Aboriginal mythology who terrorised the local aborigines with his venomous bite and voracious appetite. Afraid the tribes would soon be wiped out by the constant attacks, Ouyouboolooey the black snake offered to steal the hidden poison bag from Mungoon-Gali for in those days, it was lizards instead of snakes that were venomous. He waited until the goanna was resting after a large meal before offering to reveal the tribes’ secret plot in exchange for being allowed to hold the poison bag for his own safety. Mungoon-Gali, reluctant but determined to learn of the plot against him, took the poison bag from his mouth and handed it Ouyouboolooey who placed it in his own and fled, easily outpacing the still sluggish reptile. On returning to the tribes, Ouyouboolooey refused to destroy the bag and instead retreated into the bush which explains how snakes become venomous and lizards, like the ferocious Mungoon-Gali, lost their bite.