Stealing Maru
Long ago, when the world still believed in magic, there was a majestic maunga, or mountain, on the island of Rarotonga. The maunga was called Maru, which means shade. The maunga stood over the village of Puaikura like a giant guardian.
About this resource
Series: School Journal Level 2 August 2019
Reading year level: 4
Topics: Aitutaki, Arorangi, bravery, cleverness, Cook Islands, jealousy, legend, Maru, maunga, Maunga Pu, mountains, myth, Pacific, Pasifika, Puaikura, Raemaru, Rarotonga, traditional stories, trickery
Stealing Maru
Words by Maria Samuela
Illustrations by Elspeth Alix Batt
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School Journal Level 2 August 2019
Inside this School Journal are two articles (Wētā; Pencarrow: New Zealand’s First Lighthouse), one poem (Ika a Whiro), and two stories (Stealing Maru; Max and Alice).
1 of 5Wētā
Many people are scared of wētā. They are big and covered in spikes, they hide in dark places, and they can sometimes jump. You might find one in the garden or in a piece of old wood. There could be one hiding in your letterbox – or even in your shoe!
2 of 5Pencarrow - New Zealand's First Lighthouse
New Zealand’s coastline has always been a dangerous place for ships and boats. Early Māori knew that. Several traditional stories tell of waka being washed onto rocks in storms. Since the 1790s, when the first Pākehā reached New Zealand, more than 2,300 ships have been wrecked in New Zealand waters.
3 of 5Ika a Whiro
Under a moonless sky, two armoured warriors creep from tree burrows, long antennae sensing a challenger nearby.
4 of 5Max and Alice
On the day of the swimming sports, Max took off his shoes and socks and put them on again three times. Only then was he happy that his socks were lined up exactly the way he liked them.
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