The Pet Whale

TINIRAU the King lived on an island across the sea. He had a pet whale, which was so tame that he could ride on its back. Summoned by the King's whistle. the whale would swim to the shore to be fed and petted, then off he would bear his master for a merry ride on the sea.

Old Kae, a chief from a neighbouring island, came to visit Tinirau. He was much interested in the pet whale, and cast covetous eyes upon it. When the time came for him to return to his own island, he refused to go in the canoe. He gave Tinirau plainly to understand that he desired to ride home on the whale.

At last Tinirau lent him his pet. Be kind to him," he said, and return him faithfully. As soon as he touches the shore of your island he will shake himself. You must at once jump off upon the right side and allow him to return to me."

Kae promised to obey instructions, and set out on his homeward voyage. The whale swam care- fully through the water, Kae high upon its back, enjoying his unusual method of travelling. When they came to the shore, and the whale touched the bottom, he shook himself as a sign for Kae to jump off. But Kae sat still. Swim further in," he commanded.

The whale obeyed his voice. Carefully he swam a little further in, then again stopped and shook himself.

Go on ! cried Kae, now quite determined to steal this obedient whale. For the third time the whale swam, stopped and shook himself. After that no commands moved him he lay still, afraid of being stranded on the beach. Kae's people stood on the shore to welcome their chief. Bring ropes ! he called to them. Haul the whale to shore."

They brought their strongest and longest ropes, and threw them noosed over the whale, pulling hard together to haul him to the shore.

The whale struggled and would have escaped, so great was his strength, but in his twistings his blow-holes became choked with sand. A few spasms and writhings, sad to see, and he lay dead Kae was disappointed. It was as a living pet that he had wished to keep the whale. However, now that the creature was dead they might as well have a feast, he said. He gave orders that the whale should be dragged on shore, cut up and cooked.

Fires were made, ovens heated, the flesh was cooked. Everybody on the island was on the shore, feasting for days. Songs were sung, dances danced, stories told. All were merry. And Kae never once remembered to be ashamed of his broken promise to the kindly Tinirau. In the other island Tinirau waited patiently for his pet. He stays long away," he said. I hope no harm has come to him." On the day the ovens were opened on Kae's island the delightful smell of roast whale was borne across the sea. Ah they eat whale in Kae's island,"" Tinirau remarked, but he could not, would not, believe it was his pet

At last, however, passing strangers brought word that it was really Tinirau's whale that had been eaten on Kae's island. All the story was told of Kae's cruelty and theft.

The King was filled with wrath. Who will go to punish this false Kae?"he asked.

Forty men stood up. "We are ready," they said.

The wife of one of them sprang forward. Hear me, great Tinirau she cried. Our hus- bands go to certain death, for Kae's army is strong. He will send out a great number against these forty, and slay them all. Send us, their wives, instead."

A burst of laughter came from the men, but the woman went on: If women go Kae will not suspect any harm. He will think we have merely gone on a visit to his island. He will entertain us instead of gathering his army. We shall use our magic to make him fall asleep, and while he sleeps we shall carry him here to be punished by you. What think you of my plan?"

"It is good, if the other wives are willing," replied the King.

The other wives came forward, till forty of them stood in a row. We are willing," they said. The men were doubtful of the wisdom of allowing women to go on such a dangerous errand, but the wives were determined, and the King approved of the plan. He gave orders that boats should be made ready.

The women set out. When they reached Kae's island, the old chief, thinking they had come as visitors, treated them politely. He took them into a great hall. The islanders brought food and made a feast.

When the feast was over stories and songs were given. The evening went merrily. As midnight approached the forty women began to work their magic, singing charms that threw the people one by one into a heavy sleep.

They sang on. Everybody seemed to be asleep but Kae. Unblinkingly he stared at them. How- ever strong they made their spells, his eyes remained wide open.

One of the women, at last suspecting a trick, crept to him and bent low to look at him. With a laugh of triumph she sprang up again, holding out two shining pieces of polished shell, which she had taken from Kae's eyes.

When he saw his people dropping so suddenly off to sleep the king had grown suspicious. Taking the round pieces of shell from the wall beside him, he had placed them over his eyes, thinking The shining of the shells will look like the shin- ing of my eyes. They will think I am watching them, and will be afraid to touch me." In reality he was in a magic sleep as sound as that of any of his people.

The women stepped outside and formed a line of twos at equal distances, stretching from the hall to the boats on the beach. Two were left in the hall. When all were ready these two lifted Kae and carried him out to the next two. These two carried him to the next two; they in turn passed him on. So he was passed down the whole line.

Still sleeping his magic sleep, he was placed in one of the boats. The women sprang in, pushed off, and rowed home.

Their husbands met them, pleased at their success and their safe return. Kae was handed over to Tinirau, who punished him so effectively that he never stole again,