A MAORI FOLKTALE
MAUI AND THE MAGIC FISHHOOK
Once upon a time, there was a young demi-god called Maui,who had many magical powers. Maui dreamed of the day that he could go fishing with his older brothers. But each time he asked, they would refuse. “You’re too young” they said.
Maui really wanted to go with them; he wanted to prove he was a good fisherman. So, one day, he hid in the bottom of his brothers’ fishing boat. After they had rowed out to sea, the brothers discovered Maui hiding in the boat. They wanted to take him back to shore, Because they thought returning to shore would take a long time, Maui’s brothers decided to let stay.
When they were in the middle of the ocean, the brothers started to catch fish Maui took out a magic fishhook that he has gotten from his grandmother, a sorceress. He attached it to his fish line, and threw it in to water.
After a while, there was a strong pull on , Maui’s line. He tried to pull in to line,but whatever he had caught was too strong. Maui had to ask his brothers for help. They pulled and pulled. Finally, they pulled up a huge piece of land, which is now known as the New Zealand.
Today, the symbol of Maui’s magi-his fishhook-has become an important symbol to the Maori people, who believe wearing Hei Matau (fishhook necklaces) will keep them safe on their travels and bring them wealth. And in the Maori language,the piece of land that Maui caught is still called Te Ika a Maui,meaning Maui’ fish