The Moa and the Kiwi

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22593, 24 December 1938, Page 10 (Supplement)

The Moa and the Kiwi

(By W. F. Warner)

Apparatus:—Maori-mats can be made from flax strips left to curl up in the sun into the tubular form similar to Maori mat strips. Brown cloth is all that will be needed to represent the birds for the children. The kiwi and moa will have the cloth only loosely draped over their arms for wings so that they may be detached easily. A green scarf round the head of a fairy or similar simple costuming will be enough for these characters. Staging:—An open-air staging, if possible where there are trees to serve as exits. Otherwise the side of a building will do as exit. In exits, one on each side of the stage are necessary, and a tree, or something to represent a tree, in the right hand corner of stage. Prologue:—Consists of a Maori walking slowly across stage with a small boy to whom he is telling a legend. The setting for the play and an introduction to it are given in the prologue, and the play merely tells the middle of the legend, the Maori and boy walking back at end of it and ending the story-telling. Characters: —Moa, kiwi, Maori, boy, nine birds, and two fairies. Prologue: Maori and boy walk slowly across stage, the Maori telling a legend as they walk. The last two lines are recited off stage as if in distance. Maori: There’s a tale a chief once heard, Told him by an old bell-bird, Of the days 'ere Man had won Across the seas, to here, my son. Before the long canoes set out From far Hawaiki, all about. Where now you see your tribal land. Was ruled by birds, and here the 1 grand. Strong moa, largest of all birds. Lost his great wings through boastful words. Here, too, the small brown kiwi found His humble place upon the ground. In those far days, Waimanu reigned As fairy-chief, and he disdained No joke or trick that he could piay Upon the birds, who met each day In this same valley, when the sun Rose splashing from the sea. Here one (exit) Warm day the birds had flown To tell where the best fruit had grown ...... (Enter birds from sides of stage) First Bird: I know a lovely fuchsia tree. The ripest berries that you’ll see This season, plump and round. Already falling to the ground. |

AN ANCIENT QUARREL

Second Bird: I found a kowhai, and a sip Of nectar from each golden lip Of five fine blossoms 1 did take. Third Bird: I was singing when a shake Of my branch threw me in the air. I flew away. With fairies there No tree is safe for any bird. I think their jokes are quite absurd. Fourth Bird: I found a rata blooming where It perfumed all the morning air. But I, too, had to leave the spot I’d chosen, for I’ll simply not Put up with fairies who all day Ruffle my feathers * the wrong way. Fifth Bird: I think that something must be done. I caught a fish, and in the sun Had just found a delightful place To eat it, when a fairy face Appeared before me and I dropped The fish with fright. This must be stopped! All: Yes, yes, this simply can’t go on! Sixth Bird: I think we’d best decide upon Some bird whom we’ll elect as chief To rid us of our present grief. Seventh Bird: And I think we should all obey Whatever wish this chief may say. Eighth Bird: The question now arises—Who? I’m sure that as your chief I’d do Quite well —at least, as well as you. Ninth Bird: A chief has never had a fan! So I think that far better than A fan-tail, is a tui, and As tui-chief I’ll take a stand Of courage—thought .... All: Indeed, you won’t! I’ll be the Chief. First to Second Bird: You talk too much. Second Bird: I don’t. Third to Fourth Bird: You’re always sleeping when it’s hot. Fourth to Fifth Bird: I’m not. (Then, turning to Sixth Bird): But as for you, you spend all day Upon your mountain. Sixth Bird: Well! I say! Whoever heard such Tommy-rot? Where should a kea be if not Upon a hill? (Turning to Seventh Bird):

But as for you You’re always high up in the blue. Seventh Bird: I may be always flying high, But then at least I have an eye For distance and for daylight, when (Turning to Third Bird): You cannot see till night! So then— Second Bird: I think that you will all agree The choice should really fall on— All: Me. (Enter Moa) > Moa: Whatever’s this that makes you shout? What is the hubbub all about? All: You see .... Fourth Bird: I think — Sixth to Fourth; This won't be true. Rest: Don’t speak! I’m better far than you. Moa: If you will all keep quiet now, I’ll find out what has caused the row. (To First Bird): What’s made you all so much upset? First Bird: We want a chief whom we will let Give orders to us every day And whose commands we will obey, For we think that combined we’ll mend Our troubles, as we’ll put an end To Fairy mischief, and so I

Moa: Well, well! Can any other fly As fast or far as I? Is there Another bird in all the air As large as I am? One who can Beat me at fighting? Then, I ran Ten miles, I think, just yesterday; Can any other beat me, say? Well, as I see you’re all agreed. I’ll venture I’m the bird you need; And as your chief I’ve now become, Go, all of you, and bring me some Of the best berries that you know,

With flower-nectar, while some roe From a large salmon is a dish For which I’ve always had a wish. Why are you waiting? Am I not now The chief of birds? And anyhow Not one has said it isn’t true That I’m-the best of all of you. (Enter kiwi, yawning) Kiwi: I was asleep, but woke to hear This shouting in my very ear. (Turning to moa) I don’t think I have ever heard A vainer, more conceited bird.

Moa: How dare you say such things to me, I'm now the chief, as you can see! Kiwi: Correct me if this isn’t true, Didn’t you say no bird that flew Could ever hope to vanquish you? , All: That’s right! That’s what we heard him say! Second to Third Bird: I think this is the better way. The kiwi would be best, I’m sure, For though his flying’s rather poor , , He will not have so much to say. Fourth to Fifth Bird: I only hope he has some way To beat the moa, otherwise The choice must stay just as it lies. Kiwi to Moa: Do you agree that if I beat You at some fair and even feat Of strength and skill I then should wear The crown of King Bird of the air? . Moa to All: Though I agree with every word I won’t compete with this small bird. Really, the challenge is absurd! Sixth Bird: We chose you chief because you said You were the best, and now instead Of proving it you only say You won’t compete with one who may, It’s true, be rather small and short— Seventh Bird: But all the same, I think you ought To live up to your word and try To show which bird can really fly

Or run, or fight, or all-the-rest-You-told-to-us-before, the best. Kiwi: You heard? You’re all agreed? All: We are. Kiwi to Moa: I challenge you to see how far Out on the plain from that cliff there You’re able to leap through the air. Eighth Bird: I think the challenge is quite fair. But so that neither one can cheat, Remove your wings and then this feat Of strength and skill will just depend Upon your legs. All: This will decide. The answer. By it we’ll abide. Fifth Bird: . Leave your wings here where we can see Them safe beneath this . kauri tree. First Bird: The moa’s ready. Who could hope Against such bulging strength t.o cope? [Enter two fairies creeping towards wings.] AH: He’s jumped! Oh, what a mighty * leap! First Fairy: They’ll never hear. They’re quite asleep To anything that’s not concerned With how far out the jump has earned. Second Bird: The kiwi does look rather small, I think that he will only fall Straight down upon the plain below. Second Fairy (adjusting wings): Let me tie them securely. So. AH; He’s leapt! He’s gliding further out. He’s won! He’s won! First Fairy: My, won’t they shout When they find out what we’re about! Second Fairy: We’ll teach them to decide that they Can choose a chief to lead the way And fight the fairies! When they find That they’ve no wings they’ll change their mind, For what use now the kiwi can be Or the moa, I cannot see. First Fairy: Are you secure? Are your wings tight? Come, while we’ve time, let us take flight. [Fly across stage past birds who turn and see them. Exit left.] AH: The wings! The wings! What can ■ we do!

[Birds exit left flying after fairies. From right exit appear Maori and child carrying on story. They walk slowly across stage and exit left. Last two lines recited off-stage.] Maori: And that is why no moa flew From that day on, and why they hide Where none can see them, for their pride Has turned to shame; while also like The moa, kiwi hides till night. And only shadows on the gras? Show where a wingless bird may pass.