The Weck of the Delaware

Long ago Huria Matenga was in bed with her husband Hemi. Huria heard a big noise. She woke Hemi up. She said, “We need to go outside.”
Hemi said, “Why?”
“I heard a big noise,” said Huria, “come on, let’s go.”
So they went. A huge ship was in danger. Huria and Hemi swam out with the rope. They tied the rope to the boat. All the people got safely to shore. Captain Baldwin was last but he let go of the rope. Huria swam out to get the captain and swam back to the shore. Huria, hemi and the crew all sat around the fire. And from this day on Huria is still remembered.

How the Kiwi Lost its Wings

Long ago kiwi was high in the trees. He had beautiful wings. He had friends; Pulelo, Kakapo, Bellbird, Tui, Fantail, Morepork, Tomtit, Cuckoo and Tane Mahuta. Then a terrible thing happened to the forest. There was a plague of insects and Tane called down all of the birds. He said toall the birds, Could you please come down to the floor and eat the bugs?” They said, “No,” but Kiwi said, “Yes I will because I love the forest.”

Tane called the birds again. He told Tui, “You will now wear the white feather of shame, and Pukeko, you will now live in the swamp.” Bellbird’s eyes filled up with tears. Tane said, “You have touched my heart. Now you will only sing when the sun touches the bush.”

Nothing has changed. Kiwi still lives on the ground.