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.