The coral reef glistened in the dark
waters ahead of Mako‘s little canoe. Then,
suddenly, the boy‘s breath caught in his
throat. Just beyond the reel there was a
huge fin. And it was moving!
The boy stopped paddling. His knees felt
weak. He tried to cry out. but his voice died
in his throat. The great shark was circling
slowly around the canoe. With each circle, it
moved closer and closer. The boy could see
the yellow eyes, the gill slits in its throat.
Al‘ a -teapedtrorn one side of the_canoe to
the other. lrt sudden anger Mako leaned for-
ward to grab his little dog and shake him
soundly. Ala wriggled out of his grasp, and
the shift in weight tipped the canoe to one
side. In another second they would be over-
board. l-lako threw his weight over quickly
to balance the canoe, but with a loud splash
Afa fell into the dark water.
Mako stared after him in dismay. The
little dog had headed home. But the shore of
Bora Hora was distant. And the great shark
was near.
“Afa! Ala! Come back! Come back!"
Make shouted.
The little dog turned back. I-le was swim-
ming with all his strength. Could he make it‘?
Swiftly the boy seized his spear. Bracing
himself, he stood upright. His dog, his com-
panion, was in danger ofinstant death.
The white shark had paused in its cir-
cling to gather speed for the attack. Make
took aim. The shark charged. Mako's arm
flashed forward. The spear drove straight
and true, right into the great shark's eye.
Mad with pain and rage, it whipped about.
The canoe rocked back and forth. Mako
struggled to keep his balance as he drew
hack the spear by the cord fastened to his
wrist.
He bent over to seize Afa and drag him
aboard. Then he stood up, not a moment
too soon. Once again the shark charged.
Once again Make threw his spear, this time
at the other eye. The spear found its mark.
Blinded and weak front loss of blood, the
shark rolled to the surface, turned slightly
on its side. Was it dead?
Mako was taking no chances. Scarcely
daring to breathe, he paddled toward the
still body. He saw the faintest motion of the
geat taii. The shark was still alive. One flip
of that tail could overturn the canoe and
send Mako and Afa into the water.
Swiftly, yet calmly, Mako stood upright
and braced himself firmly. Then, murmuring
a silent prayer to the shark god, he threw his
spear for the last time. Downward, swift as
sound, the spear plunged into a white
shoulderf
Peering over the side of the canoe, Mako
could see the great fish turn over far below
the ‘surface. Then slowly, slowiy, the shark
rose to the surface of the lagoon. There it
floated, half on one side.
The great shark was dead.
Mako flung back his head and shouted
for joy. Hitehing a strong line about the
shark’s tail, the boy began to paddle home-
ward.
That night, as the tired hoy lay on the
pandanus mats listening to the distant
thunder of the sea, he heard his grandfather
singing a new song. lt was the song that
would be sung the next day at the feast in
Mai-to's honor.
Malta was taking no chances. Scarcely
dating to breathe, he paddled toward the
still body. He saw the faintest motion of the
great tail. The shark was still alive. One flip
of that tail could overtum the canoe and
send Mako and Afa into the water.
Swiftly, yet calmly, Mako stood upright
and braced himself firmly. Then, murmuring
a silent prayer to the shark god, he threw his
spear for the last time. Downward, swift as
sound, the spear plunged into a white
shouiderf
Peering over the side of the canoe, Mako
could see the great fish turn over far below
the ‘surface. Then slowly, slowly, the shark
rose to the surface of the lagoon. There it
floated, haif on one side.
The great shark was dead.
Mako flung back his head and shouted
for joy. Hitching a strong line about the
shark’s tail, the boy began to paddle home-
ward.
That night, as the tired boy lay on the
pandanus mats listening to the distant
thunder of the sea. he heard his grandfather
singing a new song. lt was the song that
would be sung the next day at the feast in
Mai-:o's honor.