Why the Agama Lizard Bobs Its Head

When the Earth was newly created, the great Earth Goddess, Ala, wanted to see if it was solid enough to support life. She sent a messenger to test it. She chose the small Agama Lizard. The Lizard ran across the new earth, but it was still soft and yielding. To test the firmness, the Lizard began to press down on the ground with its head, bobbing up and down, up and down, packing the earth until it was hard and stable. When the earth was finally firm, the Lizard ran back to Ala and told her it was safe. Ala was so pleased with the Lizard's diligent work that she gave it a beautiful, brightly colored head (often red or orange) as a mark of honor. To this day, the Agama Lizard still performs its sacred duty, bobbing its head up and down as if to constantly test the firmness of the earth, a reminder of the important role it played in the final act of creation.