HOW THE MOON CAME

Hokitika Guardian, 8 June 1931, Page 8

HOW THE MOON CAME

CURIO,SH Y OF WOMEN

MAORI LEGEND NARRATED

“Now when you pakelias see the moon hanging in the sky, and its ligut Hooding- the earth,’ you accept its beauty as.pcrledlv natural, the result of inevitable natural laws,’’ remarked Air \V. H. Bedggood, an authority on .Maori lore, who was born at Minima to North 85 years ago, and now lives'on the foreshore above Pailiia. “But to the Maori it is a perpetual reminder of the gift of two women, and an everlasting monument-to the curiosity of their kind.” Then lie fold the Alnori legend which explains the coming of tile moon.

“Of course, it is well known to all that there burns in the abode of those who live after death, etci-iiaß fire, and that it is guarded by two ancient spirits. Two old Maori' Woburn had heard of this, and moved by motives of mingled philanthropy and curiosity, they decided that they would journey to the abode- of the spirits, take some of the fire, and give it to the Alaori people. At the same time they would satisfy their own curiosity. “Tlve journey was likely to be long and hazardous, so they each filled a kit with kmnarns. Then they set off on their long adventure. Those who die, they knew, always speed to the north, along the great highway of sand, the Ninety-Mile Beach. Along the road they took their way, to the far Cape Keinga. Over the cliff face they clambered. This was full of hazard, for they were not spirits, and' might moot with death; but eventually they ended their climb, and there before them was the sacred pohutuka-wa., down which the newly-released dead must go if they would reach the eternal.

“The twain dived far down into the sea. and saw before them the tunnel which leads to the home of the dead who live again. There, so near to their objective., they halted, for they were full of fear, hut impelled by curiosity they crept, on. They came to the last stage, avid belueld in front of them the sacred fire, guarded, as they had lue-ard, by two hoary spirits, one on each side. But—the guardians were false to their trust, for they slept. This was the opportunity longed for by tbe daring humans. { Thev stole on, and one of them suddenly dashed forward, seized a. flaring brand, and fled. “\t once the guardians awoke, and gave chase. Just as the more darins of the two reached tbe mouth of the cave, the fleeter of the spirits seized her leg. Tn desri’ration, she hurled hey precious burden far out and away up. Far up into the sky it soared and, behold, there it remains to tips day.

“Yon ask me if this is Hole. Of course! For in the moon is there not a great flaring branch stretched right across its fare?”