Koopoo

Koopoo In Australian mythology, the redplain kangaroo responsible for cats having spots. One day Koopoo met Jabbor, the cat who lived in the area Koopoo was traveling through. Jabbor asked Koopoo to divulge to him half of the secret ceremonies of the kangaroos. Koopoo, of course, refused, saying that the corroborees—big dances—belonged only to kangaroos. Jabbor wanted to fight for the secrets, but Koopoo called on other kangaroos, who threw spears at the cat. This act resulted in many cats having spots, for each spot represents a place where a spear entered Jabbor’s body. As the cat lay dying, Deert, the moon god, came by and told Jabbor to drink a special kind of water that would permit him to come back to life. The other cats, however, prevented Jabbor from getting to the water. Deert grew angry and declared that because of this act all things would have to die. Only he, Deert, would be able to die and return to life again.

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow
Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante