WINTER

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 26, 30 July 1932, Page 7

WINTER

■ I ;:''rm.r"-:■■ ■-.-:■:■- ■•; ■ ~ ...',;> - ; . . . , , .'.,<.Ori?!to*?» for th? Winter Page,-.by "White Trail," aged 15, of Taihape.) M^£&'& ai« -ago there lived in, New Zealand a young warrior called ■Wireniu. He was. so brave and good "that the'people of the'Arawa tribe : chose him to be their Chief. ■•>;He helped ,them when they-were in trouble, ipunished those who broke ttieilaws of the tribe, and led the warriors to victory in any battle they fought.'; ' " • ■ ■ Pahuta, the former chief of the • Arawas, cherished a grudge against Wiremu,:for he had robbed him of the power which Pahuta coveted. At las ( t, he decided to kill,Wiremu, but being a coward at heart, he shrank" from doing the, deed himself. One' night when the rest of the tribe was sleeping 1 Pahuta crept from, his whare and made his wayHo'the cave;which led to the Urfderwdrld. Calling softly, he waited until'a wizened green'goblin appeared when.he asked him what he.wished. , . , . * ; "Listen," said Pahuta,'"l wish to kill wiremu, .but not with my own hands. Can you give me some poison which wiir be sufficient to'make his spirit fly from our land? I wish to put a little of the poison in every flower tree and plant. Will you help met'? , ■■■.... ' ; The goblin bared his teeth in a horrid smile. "Certain.ly friend Pahuta We will do anything to work mischief in the world. Wait!'' He disappeared, but soon returned, holding a small casket in his enarled hands. ."Take this," he commanded. • . . . '; .'*■*'*".* * » '•• :•: : » * *, * V V * « "And' so you see, my wife, how T shall become Chief again " Pahuta rubbed his hands together gleefully, his black eyes ijlea'minir with satisfaction. His wife's face was troubled. ■ you abide in peace?" she asked. "You are'still powerful in the tribe. Be content with that." ... . "No," said Pahuta. "I will be Chief." i ' Neither of them saw a little'figure flit past the window; It, was their daughter;Ngaire, and their suspicions would have been aroused.for they knew that she:loved Wiremu.. ; ~'",.' Running quickly, Ngaire soon reached Wiremu's whare. Knocking softly she entered. Wiremu was sitting on a mat, but seeing who it was tie sDrancr' up with a glad cry. , v. •,'.■•... , ,' F 8 "Ngaire! . What.brings you here?'.* , "A plot, to kill you has been made. Listen." ' She told him what she had learned, anxiously enquiring what he would do I do not know! : . ■ \ ■-■ » •, , *, ; " » * Ngairo' laughed. "I know! Iknow! Rangi! -He will help us Come let us ask-him." . ... ' Together they went out, and lifting up their voices they began to chant Suddenly ja moonbeam slanted down towards them. They climbed-on it and" were carried swiftly to the home of tho Sky-God. ■. , ■ . Meanwhile Pahuta was going on treacherous round; • whispering to ..the flowers .before putting a.httlo powder among their petals ; "Remember," he said, "when Wiremu wilk.?' neayVou: shake your head^ and^et the powder fall on tho ground.: The minute His feeVtouch it he will die. ... "'• % . . -. '' ■ ' • ■ ■ •■■■< • >••-',' He did the.same with the plantsi and undergro.wth, but when lie cimc to the trees he, met with stout resistance. The branches waved in the wind and an angry murmuring filled the air, seeming to say, "Begone!* What have done tobeasked such a; thing?; Go! Wiremu is our friend! We will never harm hims ■■ . i, . , ■ ~

Pahuta hurried away,but:]ie was not dismayed,-, for lie had.fulfilled his 'mission.- ;fle had nearly reached his home when Jio stopped.' fie could not move. He1 seemed held by invisible' chains. Suddenly1 a voicd sounded "Your plans are foiled! You traitor! Yon Will never more live on tho Cal^- You will be banished to the: Underworld, and take the firm of- a goblm. Go! • "Rangi!" muttered Pahuta, as he.slunk away, never to" be seen again. Rangj turned his attention to the, flowers and their fellow conspirators. , " YoU iwillf lose your petals iv winter," he said. ', "*our' "ugliness wil be an h'uniilation, but it will.be a just punishment. The trees-" hU voicel took on a^kindher note-"the trees will remain green alAhe -year rouna! and men will look at them and say: "They are the faithful ones ' '' Ngaire and Wiremu lived happily together for many ■ years,: loved and honourea^by^tlie people of-their tribe. .•>..>..