New Zealand, 10 minute read
We found this story in a book titled Maoriland Fairy Tales (1913) by Edith Howes. With all that said, it’s unclear if this story is an exact retelling, if it’s changed slightly or if it was just inspired by Māori folklore.
There are some more popular stories regarding the moon including Rona and the Moon where Rona curses at the moon after it disappears behind a cloud while she is carrying water, causing her to spill it. Incensed, the Moon shakes the ground and causes such a storm that it lifts Rona off the ground. Try as she might to hold onto a ngaio tree, she is carried away to live on the moon forever. Sometimes you can still see her and her water pitcher if you look closely at the moon.
For more information on the Lunar Myths, check out Maori Religion and Mythology by Elsdon Best.
The Fire that Never Goes Out
Once upon a time, long before a moon existed, the sky was dark and the night was impenetrable. In this dark world, there lived two beautiful maidens who happened to be best friends. So, the bad news is that the story does not tell us the girls’ original names. The good news is that we know what their names mean. One girl’s name meant Shining-Eyes, and the other’s name meant Rippling-Hair, so this is how they will be referred to in the story.
Now, Shining-Eyes had heard many tales of the “Fire-That-Never-Goes-Out.” This was supposedly a special fire kept in the underworld and guarded by fierce spirits. She believed the one who possessed the fire would also get something called “Life-That-Never-Dies.” What better gift to give to the world than an unending life?
Shining-Eyes thought long and hard about her plan and one day, she approached her friend about the quest to retrieve the fire. Rippling-Hair was immediately startled. She was used to her friend’s wild ideas, but this was completely different. Not only would they have to go on a dangerous journey, but they would have to get past the fierce spirits that guarded the fire. They would be lucky to return alive!
A Sweet Heist
Shining-Eyes grinned and told her about her master plan. She explained that if they brought a basket of kumaras (sweet potatoes), they could use it to distract the spirits. Once the spirits were feasting on the sweet-tasting food, the two girls could sneak in and take some of the fire with them.
Rippling-Hair wasn’t so convinced this would work. She also didn’t think their fathers would let them go on a dangerous journey. Shining-Eyes reassured her that they were swift runners and didn’t need to tell their families the truth about where they were going. By the time their families realized the girls were missing, they would have already returned with their gift!
Shining-Eyes could still see the uncertainty in her friend’s eyes. So, she sighed and confessed that she had been thinking about this for a long time and was going regardless. Her friend did not need to join her, and certainly not if her heart failed her. The last thing Shining-Eyes wanted to do was lead her friend straight to danger. Before she could say anything else, Rippling-Hair cried that she would always go with her wherever she went- even to the underworld.
The Bramble Forest
The first part of their journey was pleasant enough with the gently rolling hills and soft kiss of sunlight. However, soon they came across the dark bramble forest. The treetops blocked out the sun and the brambles curled towards them, tearing at their clothes and skin. Even the birds and insects bombarded them and pecked at their food. You see, the forest was no ordinary forest, but part of the entrance to the underworld. Every tree, plant and creature was made to stop mortals from entering the world of the dead. They all said the same thing: Turn back before it’s too late.
Despite the warnings, the girls did not lose heart and travelled on foot for many days. Eventually, they arrived at a great fern tree and decided to rest under its shelter for the night. They were tired from the onslaught, sore from the walking and desperate for a good night’s sleep to stave off their hunger. They had no more food left except for the sweet potatoes, but those were for the spirits.
While the girls drifted off to sleep, the forest fairies watched them and they marveled at the girl’s courage. They knew the forest had done its best to stop them, but they had continued all the same. Perhaps the courage they possessed would guide them safely through their journey. So, after a brief conference, the fairies agreed they would help them. Carefully, the fairies picked up the sleeping girls, brought them to the fairy palace and gently laid them in the softest beds.
The Forest Fairy Airbnb
When the two girls woke in the morning, the fairies brought them enchanted food and drink that fully rejuvenated them. Thankful and delighted, the two girls bid the fairies goodbye and headed onto the next leg of their journey, the mountain land.
Image is Jan Cossiers “Prometheus.” Stealing fire from the Gods is a common pastime.
You Shall Not Pass
Like the bramble forest, the mountains protested against the girl’s presence. Little bumps grew into tall mountains beneath their feet, chasms grew on the path before them, storms roared around them and a mountain giant even showed up at one point. None of this, however, could stop the girls who relentlessly marched on. Eventually, the mountain recognized their determination and let them through.
Finally, they came to the edge of a cliff with a beautiful tree with crimson flowers overlooking the sea. Shining-Eyes recognized it and told Rippling-Hair that it must be the Spray-Sprinkled. The tree’s roots extended down the cliff face to the rocky beach below and between the lowest roots was the entrance to the underworld. Each night, the souls who died that day came to the top of this tree, looked upon the world one last time, sighed and flung themselves down into the underworld below.
Shining-Eyes wistfully said that if they could save their friends from this suffering then it would have all been worth it.
Journey to the Underworld
They rested near the tree that evening and when morning came, they began descending the roots. At the bottom, they stood by the entrance and stared at the pitch-black passage.
Gripping each other’s hands, the two girls clambered down the narrow passage. After what felt like forever, they saw a light ahead and picked up the pace. The passage led to an open area, illuminated by fire made of three crossed sticks. In front of the fire were three fierce spirits.
Shining-Eyes excitedly whispered, “It’s the Fire-That-Never-Goes-Out! Hand me the kumara!”
The girls tried to approach silently but their spirits heard them and shouted the warning cry, “Mortals!”
As the spirits advanced on them, Shining-Eyes quickly retrieved the basket of kumara and held it out in front of her. She told the spirits they had come all this way just to bring them something sweet. Something that they could never find in the underworld.
Surprised by the girl’s bravery, the spirits accepted the kumara from her and began to taste the fruit of the earth. While they were crowded around the kumara, Shining-Eyes quickly snatched one of the flaming sticks and fled with Rippling-Hair back through the passage. Before they could disappear, one of the spirits noticed their quick escape and shrieked in rage.
We Shall Steal…the Moon!
With the light from the fire, the girls swiftly dashed through the passage but the spirits were gaining on them. Finally, Rippling-Hair sprang through the exit and turned to see her friend struggling with a spirit that had grabbed her heel. Rippling-Hair snatched her friend’s hand and tried to pull her out but she could not free her. She pleaded with Shining-Eyes, “Drop the fire and give me your other hand!”
But Shining-Eyes did not want to lose this chance for unending life. She twisted her foot and tried to get free, but it was no use. The spirit held fast and she could hear the others hurtling down the passage.
Without thinking, Shining-Eyes threw the fire stick as hard and high as she could. As it arced into the sky, she desperately stretched her free hand out to her friend.
Rippling-Hair grabbed the free hand and yanked her friend out of the spirit’s grip and onto the beach. The two girls tumbled onto the sand. Thankfully, the spirits didn’t dare leave the underworld so they fled back down the passage in a rage.
How the Moon was Made
Out of breath, the girls lay on the beach, panting and trying to make sense of what had just happened, amazed to be alive. The fire stick that Shining-Eyes tossed continued to fly through the air, spinning so fast that it resembled a ball of light.
The Sky father, Rangi, noticed the new light in his sky and caught the ball of light. He placed it among the night sky and told the North Wind to pass a message to the two girls.
Rangi told them that unending life is not for the people of the earth, but their brave deeds would not go to waste. The Fire-That-Never-Goes-Out shall stay in the sky and provide light when the sun is away. By its light people will be able to fight against the darkness. Now, he told them to return home, content with the knowledge that they had changed the lives of everyone.
Hearing this message from the Sky God comforted the girls, so they returned home safely to their family and friends. Although everyone was surprised by their wild tales, there was no denying that there was now a bright light in the sky. That light remains to this day and we call it the moon.
Further Reading
Best, Elsdon. The astronomical knowledge of the Māori genuine and empirical. New ed. Christchurch: Kiwi Publishers, 2002 (originally published 1922).
Best, Elsdon. Māori religion and mythology. 2 vols. Wellington: Te Papa Press, 2005 (originally published 1924).
Orbell, Margaret. A concise encyclopedia of Māori myth and legend. Christchurch: Canterbury University Press, 1998.
Websites
Tales from the Enchanted Forest 