The Wreck of the Delaware

One day, many, many years ago there lived a woman called Huria Matenga. And she had a husband called Hemi. One night Huria was woken by a loud crash and thump and the wind howling like a wolf. The next day it was still stormy so Huria went to the beach to look out for danger. She got a shock at what she saw. She saw a boat struggling to find its way out of the storm.

One person on the boat volunteered to swim and it was Henry Squirrell. He tied a rope around his waist and dived in the water but the sea was so, so strong that a wave picked him up and the wave smashed him on a rock. The sailors hauled him up on the boat. At last Huria and her husband ran and they ran. Finally they were at the start of the water. Suddenly they heard the people on the boat saying, “Help us.” They dived in the water and they went to the boat. They tied a rope around the mast. The crew went on the rope to the shore. They all went. The captain was last. When they were all safe they made a fire. Before they knew it they saw Henry Squirrell waving to them but then he disappeared.

So that’s how Huria saved the day and her name is still famous.

How the Kiwi Lost its Wings

Long ago Kiwi was struggling to find his home. On the way he found himself facing his friend the Grey Warbler. The Grey Warbler said, “Oh Kiwi. Do you wish you had wings like mine?” “No, because we already had those once,” said Kiwi. “Oh Kiwi , could we hear the story?” said the Grey Warbler. “O.K",said Kiwi. The Grey Warbler called the other birds.

Once upon a time Tane Mahuta, the God of the forest had birds. All their feathers were bright and beautiful. But one day a plague came. So Tane Mahuta asked Cuckoo to live on the floor but Cuckoo said, “No, because I’m too busy building a nest.” So Tane Mahuta asked Morepork and Morepork said “No thanks, because I love the light and cannot leave.” So Tane Mahuta asked Tui. He said, “I’m too scared to go down there. I don’t know what predators I will meet.” So he asked Kiwi. Kiwi loved the floors of the forest so Kiwi said, “Yes.”

Then Tane Mahuta turned to the other birds and said, “Cuckoo. Selfish Cuckoo,” that she would not save the forest. Instead she’d make her nest. “From now on you will lay your eggs in other birds’ nests and they will just frown at you.” “And Pukeko, so proud with your beautiful feathers and don’t like your feet getting dirty. From now on you will live in the swamp all by yourself.” “And Tui, scared Tui. For your punishment you will wear the signal of sadness, the white feather.” “Now Morepork, you little selfish bird. You will now come and stay asleep at day and awake at night.” “And Kiwi, brave Kiwi,” then he turned to the others and said, “I will punish you all. No one will sing ever again. But then he heard an instant crying so he looked up and saw the bellbird. He said, “You have touched my heart and I am sorry. From now on when the sun hits the bush you can sing.

So that’s how the kiwi lost its wings.