The mythical animals

Press, 4 July 1978, Page 14

The mythical animals

Soon the wind demon rushed down from the ranges at a furious pace but the narrow gorge halted him. He had to struggle against the great boulders and it was a while before he managed to pass them. The taniwha felt pleased as he watched the wind demon. He had not, it was true, trapped his enemy, but he had slowed him down. Never again would his vegetables be destoryed. The Taniwha Lyall Stream A long time ago the Ngati-mamoe tribe lived happily on the Kaikoura Peninsula. Their chief owned a pet taniwha and he kept it at the mouth of the Lyell Stream as a guardian and watch-dog. The monster always warned the tribe if their enemies approached and would lie in wait, for intruders and kill them.

The taniwha was greatly feared. As soon as it saw a stranger on the bank of the stream, it creapt up quietly on its scaly body and, darting its long neck forwards, spat out a poi-

sonous fluid. The victim at once fell down senselss and the taniwha, just like a spider, would put him aside and make a leisurely meal of him later.

One day a band of war-< riors entered the Kaikoura and as they looked at the magnificent coastline, they longed to possess it and- were keen for battle. They attacked the Ngati-mamoe fiercely but the taniwha, as usual, came to the help of its master and killed many of the enemy. The leader of the attackers, who was called Maru, was upset at the loss of his men and realised that he would never overcome the Ngatimamoe unless he killed their pet tainwha. And he formed a clever plan. First, he made a strong rope and tied it in a noose. Next, Maru hid in a clump of flax near the mouth of the stream and ordered some of his men to run along the bank and shout insults at the taniwha. It wasn’t long before the taniwha darted out. from its lair and rushed at them. The men were ready, however, and

sprang back to safety in time. Then Maru dropped the noose over the monster’s head and, pulling the rope tight, choked it. Now Mani knew that he and his warriors could attack the Ngati-mamoe without fear and they soon became the new rulers of Kaikoura Peninsula.