Maori Myths & Legends

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-Book Two-
- Maui the Fisherman - Slowing of the Sun - Quest for Immortality -

Maui the Fisherman
Based on W. D. Westervelt

Maui the legendary demigod was the youngest of four brothers. He lived in Kipahula, in the Hawaiian islands, and was a keen fisherman. Unfortunately, he lacked skills in this area, and his brothers often taunted him. So he devised a plan to make it seem he was in fact a great fisherman. When he went out on the canoe with his brothers, he would purposely cross his line with another, just as they had caught a fish. He then claimed they had both caught the same fish, and it was remarkable coincidence that it had swallowed both hooks (when the fish was brought in, he would quickly remove his brothers hook, because, of course, the fish had not in fact swallowed his own hook at all). His brothers soon caught on to this trickery, and prohibited him from fishing with them. So one day he changed himself into an insect and hid in their canoe. He had with him a magic hook, guaranteed to catch the biggest fish. After many hours of poor fishing, Maui appeared to his brothers and told them he would catch the mighty Ulua fish. Of course, his brothers were sceptical of his abilities, but, given their own poor results, were willing to give him a chance. So Maui cast his line with the magic hook, which he baited with an Alae bird, and presently the Ulua was caught. But it was a mighty fish, and pulled Maui and his canoe for two days. When it tired, he began to draw in the line, and he warned his brothers to keep their gaze fixed on it, and not to look away. However, one of his brothers indeed cast a glance elsewhere, and the Ulua fish immediately tuned to land.

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Slowing of the Sun
Based on W. D. Westervelt

It was a hard life living in the village. Every morning the people would get up to do their work, but by the time they had gotten stared, the sun had set again. There was no time to get anything done. Maui was as hard pressed as anyone due to this, and decided to do something about it. So he visited his mother and presented his problem. In response, she gave him fifteen strands of fibre, and told him to visit his grandmother, who lived in the crater of the volcano called Haleakala. Maui set off and found his grandmother, who was blind. Even so, she knew someone was there, and she asked who he belonged to. When Maui told her he belonged to Hina, she immediately knew who he was, and gave him assistance. She presented him with a magic stone to use for an axe, and another rope. So Maui went to the highest point and waited for the sun to pass. He then used the ropes to tie the sun to a large and strong wiliwili tree. The sun was now incapacitated, so Maui began to strike him with his axe. The sun could do nothing, but beg for mercy. Maui was hesitant but eventually gave in, providing the sun would slow his journey over the earth. And thus our days have been longer ever since.

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Quest for Immortality
Based on W. D. Westervelt

Maui was near the end of his age. Looking back at his life and deeds he realised he wad accomplished everything he had set out to achieve; but one thing was lacking. Death was the final great conquest. Although Maui was a demigod, he was not immortal. At his birth his father had missed out part of the ritual, which in turn left Maui as mortal as any other man. So he set out on his final journey.
He knew he must face Hine nui te po, the woman of the night, the guardian of death to complete his mission. On his path, he paused to talk to the moon. Maui told the moon that death should be short, rejuvinative, and that it should not be something to fear. In reply, the moon scornfully replied that in contrast, death should be everlasting and eternal, and should be feared as the last journey of man, leaving his loved ones in this realm, doomed to lament his loss. Maui was not disheartened by this; he had been mocked and scorned on his journeys before. So he continued on his way to find Hine nui te po. When he arrived he saw guards, and knew this was not the time to be too daring. So he crept past on all fours and stole the food of the goddess. He then returned to his home, and told his brothers of his plan. That night, Maui and his siblings returned to the home of the goddess. He changed them into birds so as not to be caught. They remained outside, and were warned not to make a sound, as Maui alone entered into Hine nui te po.
Maui took with him his spear, and went through the sleeping goddess to find her heart. Finding this, he found immortality. But on his way back, his brothers saw him, and, finding the sight so outrageous, one of them laughed. At this, Hine nui te po awoke, and, realising what was going on, closed her mouth. Maui was cut in two, and immortality was lost to mankind forever.

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Contents

- Maori Myths & Legends

- For the Glory of Rome
- The Sanity of Professor R.J. Basil Part One, Two, Three
- The Trials of Archibald Henderson of Windsor

- Convergere

- Other