The Penalty of Greed

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21938, 12 November 1936, Page 8 (Supplement)

The Penalty of Greed

(By Priscilla McKenzie, Taihape; IS years)

A soft blanket of snow covered all the bush in solemn silence and mystery. Two small Maori boys with wicked eyes and curly, brown hair appeared round the bend by the river. “It is indeed very cold.” declared Toa the elder of the boys. -Yes, we might have chosen a better day for our feast,” rcpr.ea Thcv walked on quickly, for they were a considerable distance ironi the or but os they went they ploll d and schemed how to car out their pla-’s for the night. At last the pa came into sigm. A numb r of Maoris lived theic. so the'arrival tf the two beys was not commented upon in any way. “You go to your home and l u meet you by the old pine on the lull when the sun sinks in the west,'' said Toa, and Honi eagerly agreed. TT How the day dragged! Horn wandered about in th~ bush, heedless of the song ol the bell-bird, c£ the whispering wind in the trees, and of the gurgling cf the swollen stream. When meal lime came. Honi made a pretence of eating, but his watchful motliei noticed that he didn’t seem hungry, and she wondered why. for Horn was noted for his greed. By the afternoon the sun had meded all the snow round the pa. but theie was still some visible on the surrounding hills. A little later Maoriland was bathed in a soft golden light as the sun gradually dipped beyond the horizon. Flaming streaks of iv’d. and rose shades of pink were strewn across the sky, and Honi, watching the sunset trom a tree, was glad that it was time lor him to start on his journey, if journey it could be called. He set off and soon he reached the pine on the hill where Toa was impatiently awaiting him. There were quiet greetings and then the boys went on. Darkness was closing in on them as they reached their destination. They stepped in front of a rotten old tree near the river. Toa excitedly got down on his knees, scraped away some leaves from the foot cf the tree, and dragged forth three little casks. "There are plenty more,” said Toa. "but these three will do for a start.” They knocked off the lids and there in each cask lay two potted pigeons—a source of delight to every Maori boy. Honi’s eyes sparkled with glee.

“Old Mine wouldn’t have hidden her precious pigeons hero if she’d known we were watching her,” laughed Honi. They ate and ate, and they became rounder and rounder as the meal progressed. “I can’t eat any more," announced Toa, “so let’s throw the rest of the pigeons in the river. Besides it will serve old Hine right for being so greedy.” There were several loud splashes as the casks reached the water, but soon only a few ripples marked the scene of the disturbance.

“Gracious, it is getting cold,” cried Honi. “I believe it is going

to snow again. Come on, let s hurry.” But the further the boys went the darker and colder it became, and soon both realised that they were lost. The snow began to fall heavily and soon all the trees were covered with it, "It’s no use going on," said Tea. "We will just have to slay here till morning." So they settled thnnslves to await the dawn. How the hours dragged' The two boys grew hungry agtun and each pictured the wasted pigeons Healing down the river. “I wish we were home,” said Honi. “What on earth was that!" exclaimed Toa. starling to his feel in terror. "I’m posj'ive I saw a human being gliding behind those tree;:; yet it may "be the snow playing upon my iancy," Honi, with his superstitious mind, immediately .imagined hundreds of little demons with hideous mocking faces, and dazzling evil eyes, watching him from amongst the bushes. “There it is again!" cried Toa. Just as he uttered these words, the figure of a woman enveloped in a while robe appeared beside them. She had a beautiful face but her features had the appearance of being cut from the purest marble. Her hard eyes were a grey colour, and bored into the souls of the naughty boys and sent shivers up and down their spines. "Honi and Toa, you have been two very greedy boys," said this strange woman, and for that I shall have to punish you." The two boys stared at each other end wondered what would follow. They were really too bewildered to speak, and besides cadi was thinking of his home and parents. The woman spoke again. "Doubtless you will wonder who I am: well, I am Tirata, Queen of the Snows.”

The beys were even more amazed. What a sensation it would cause when they told their playfellows at home that they had actually seen the queen of the snows! But they were not destined to return home again. Tirata bade them follow her. Through the bush they went, crossing streams and pushing through dense fern. They could hear the drip-dripping of the snow as it slid from the leaves of the trees. Then gradually a faint streak of light appeared in the east. The darkness vanished, giving place to a flushed and radiant dawn. Mists rose from the gullies and surrounded the hills and ranges. But still Tirata walked on. Just as the sun appeared over the hills Tirata slopped at last. They were high up in the hills with ranges towering above them. Tirata turned to the boys and spoke some strange words in a very low voice. A moment later she had vanished and all that remained on the hill were two very scraggy grown shrubs, each bearing tiny white berries, afterwards known as snow berries. The two boys, Honi and Toa, had been transformed into shrubs, and so had paid the penalty of greed. No more Iwould they roam through the bush together or steal potted pigeons from hollow trees by the river.

Children’s contributions, apart from srories and poems, should be about things they have seen or c’oni*.