Swaimah Retell: Creation Story

 Once upon a time  Papatuanuku the earth mother, and Ranginui the sky father, they were both in love with each other. They never wanted to be separated in their whole life, they wanted to be together forever. They had many children, but they were squished together and they were angry because it was dark. The children had a meeting to discuss the separation of their parents. Tanemahuta did a handstand and used his legs to push his mother and father apart. He couldn’t do it himself, so his brothers helped. However, Tawhirimatea was angry and screamed so loud that he started to cry because he wanted his parents to be together forever, just like they wanted. The longing for his beloved, Ranginui the sky father would cry down his tears from the heavens, his tears would fill up the many crevices, and become many lakes, rivers and seas. Now, there was one brother that wasn’t happy that Tanemahuta had separated from his parents and his name was called Tawhirimatea, the god of the winds, the storm and rains. And he blew down his fury from the heavens and the perilous storms. “ Whiti mai te ra” means “ let the sun shine though” though as Tanemahuta did, it allowed light and life to come into the world.