Maui and the Giant Fish

Maui and the Giant Fish

According to the story of  Māui, he was always keen on fishing but his brothers never gave him a chance. One day he decided to go fishing so he used  flax for his fishing line and a jawbone which was given to him by his ancestor while saying a karakia. The next day he hid in the canoe and none of the brothers noticed him, when they dropped the anchor he figured out that they’re too far from shore to go back. That’s when Māui came out of his hiding place but his brothers blamed him for not catching any fish. He asked them to let their lines down as he said karakia. When they did they catch more fish than they ever did and the canoe was full of fish. The brothers were so happy and congratulated one another saying they’re the best fishermen ever. When Māui said to his brothers it’s my turn, they laughed at him when he pulled his fishing line from his bag and made fun of his fishing rod. Māui didn't listen, instead he said  his karakia and readied his line, then asked his brother If they could give him some bait for his hook. His brothers laughed hard which made Māui angry so he clenched his fist and hit himself hard on the nose. His nose bled and Māui covered his hook with his own blood. He stood at the front of the canoe and dangled down his fishing line while saying karakia. He spun his line out to sea, the line sunk deep to the ocean floor, down into the depths of the domain of Tangaroa, and instantly the hook was taken. Māui's line went suddenly stretched . The brothers stopped their laughing and held tightly to the side of the waka as they began to speed across the ocean. His brothers asked him to cut the line as they were trembling in their seats worried they might drown. But Māui held tight to his line, and slowly a giant fish was pulled to the surface. The brothers huddled in the waka shivering with fright.  Māui explained to his brothers that this fish is what their grandmother said would be gifted to them and ask them to guard it. The brothers agreed to stay, and Māui headed back to Hawaiki. However as soon as Māui had gone, the brothers began chopping greedily at the huge fish, claiming huge pieces of it as their own. When Māui returned, his people were amazed to see the giant fish. As they came closer the brothers were seen still chopping and arguing over which part of the fish was theirs. The people saw them for the greedy brothers that they were.