“Can you see the Emu in the sky?”
Create a magical, meaningful space in your classroom with our beautiful new classroom rug, inspired by the powerful Indigenous mythological story Emu in the Sky. Designed by proud Wiradjuri woman and Aboriginal artist Shareen Clayton, this artwork brings rich cultural storytelling into everyday learning environments.
Since 2012, our Indigenous rug collection has been loved by thousands of educators and children across Australia. This large 3m x 2m rug is perfect for creating a cosy, inclusive learning corner and is aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework.
Made tough for busy classrooms, it features a heavy-duty finish with non-slip rubber backing to keep little learners safe.
Enjoy FREE shipping to your door and please note—colours may vary slightly depending on lighting.
The Story of the Emu in the Sky
(A retelling for early learners)
Long ago, before there were books or schools, Aboriginal people would look up at the night sky to tell stories and learn about the world around them. One special story is about the Emu in the Sky.
In this story, the Emu isn’t made of stars like we see in pictures—it's made from the dark spaces between the stars in the Milky Way. If you look closely on a clear night, you can see the shape of a giant emu stretching across the sky, lying on her back with her long neck and legs reaching out.
The Emu appears in the sky at certain times of the year, and Aboriginal communities used this as a signal. When the Emu was lying down, it meant the emus on Earth were laying eggs. That’s when families would gather to collect emu eggs for food. Later in the year, the Emu in the sky looks like it’s running—just like the real emus protecting their chicks.
This beautiful story teaches us how Aboriginal people understand and live in harmony with nature, using the stars as their calendar and guide.
