Māui and his first journey, retold by Kyra

We have been learning about myths and legends. Here is a fantastic retelling of Māui’s first journey by year five student, Kyra.

Māui and his first journey

How do I retell a story in my words?

Step 1 Plan

• Structure  
• Order of events
• Details (senses - dialogue - thoughts - actions - feelings

Introduction	Event 1	Event 2	Event 3	Event 4	Ending
Taranga taught the children how to talk and sing a waiata to Maui while he was in her tummy.They sang him this song “Taku kurapounamu taku motoi kahurangi o taha, o roto, o pae, o waho e...	One day she went on a walk and she could feel a nigly pain. She fell to the ground yelling help.	Maui was born and his mum was really worried and her puku was sore. His mum taranga thought he was dead because he didn't move. Wrapped him in her hair and set him out to sea.	He sailed and then found Tama-nui- ki-te-rangi.	He went to find his mum and brothers but his brothers did not know who he was, Maui showed his brothers his powers and then they believed him.	He saw his mum and she asked him who he was, so  Maui sang the song and  then his mum realised it was him.
Hook	Details	Details	Details	Details	Details
Taranga had four children and was about to have a 5th.	Speech, hear.	Actions, feel, feeling, see.	See.	See, actions.	Speech, see.

Taranga had four children that she had raised on her own and was about to have a 5th. When it was born it will be half man and half god. Taranga taught her four children how talk and sing to Maui well he was still in her tummy. They were all very excited. They would talk to their pepe everyday. They sang to him, "taku kurapounamu taku motoi kahurangi o taha, o roto, o pae, o waho e…” One day Maui Taha asked Taranga, “When we are singing to our pepe, can he hear us?” 

“Yes my son, he can,” replied Taranga. From that day on, they would waiata, haka, and korero to their growing pepe.

One day when Taranga went for a walk on the beach she felt a niggly pain in her tummy. She could tell that Maui was coming. She couldn't walk any further and she felt really weak. She cried out “Help!” But no one could hear her. Then she started to give birth.

Maui was born but he did not move. Taranga accidently thought he was dead. She grabbed a shell and cut the pito, but he still didn't move. She cut her hair and wrapped him in it. Then she put him in the water and he floated out to sea. What she did not realise was that Maui was still alive.

Tangaroa had noticed Maui bobbing up and down in the sea and sent seaweed to wrap Maui in. The seaweed would protect Maui. The seaweed carried maui to his grandfather Tama-nui-ki-te-rangi. During the trip he sent a few of his other children to help Maui along the way. Maui then reached his grandfather.”What have you brought me? “ asked Tama-nui-ki-te-rangi. He saw Maui through the thick hair and then Maui sang the song “ taku kurapounamu taku motoi kahurangi o taha, o roto, o pae, o waho e…” He knew then that it was Taranga’s son and his grandson.

He grew older and got taught waiata, haka, taiaha and whakapapa. He also learnt how to control his powers. Every night as he went to sleep his grandfather would sing the song to him. “Taku kurapounamu taku motoi kahurangi o taha, o roto, o pae, o waho e…” One day he wanted to go and see his family. He asked his grandfather where he would find them. He got told all about his birth and were he would find them. Then he went off to the place he would find them. He traveled far and long until he came to the place where he would find his whanau. He saw a flicker of fire and heard some voices. When he got closer he recognised the song they were singing. Then he knew, it was his four brothers. He joined them and also tried to explain he was their brothers. They did not believe it was him until he showed he could do the haka, and showed his powers to turn into a bird. That's when they noticed it was Maui. They were all shocked.

They all asked him questions but Maui just kept on saying that he was their brother. During all of that, Taranga was watching. She had no idea who this man was, but she had a weird feeling in her puku. Maui walked up to her and Taranga asked “ Who are you?” 

Maui song the song again, “taku kurapounamu taku motoi kahurangi o taha, o roto, o pae, o waho e…” That's when Taranga realised it was Maui. She give him a big hug. Taranga told Maui how she had always thought he was dead. All of Maui’s brothers welcomed him. Now Maui is known as Maui-tikitiki-a-Taranga.