The Girl, The God, and the Island

When the world was new, and the human race was young, an ambitious god called Tawhiri took it upon himself to create a mass of land in the center of the vast ocean. "I'll call it an island," he told the other gods. "It'll be so beautiful, the people there will worship me as their favorite god."

One of the elder gods, Atiu, chuckled at this declaration. "Humans are still learning; you'll need patience."

"You'll see," said Tawhiri. "I'll be the most beloved of all." 

So, the god created a paradise for the humans to enjoy, and in return, they adored him.

After a while, the humans became busy with the business of living. Obtaining food, building shelters, birthing babies, and establishing order amongst them detracted from their duty to worship Tawhiri. He became increasingly unhappy with the decreasing attention he was receiving from his islanders. 

"They're vulgar and stupid," he complained to the other gods. "They lack civility and gratitude; they have ceased to worship me properly. I'm inclined to show them my power cannot only give, but take from them when I am displeased."

So Tawhiri brought disaster after disaster on the people. Over centuries, he sent famine, war, disease, and powerful storms from the sea- but they persevered and rebuilt every time. 

Eventually, the other gods grew tired of his childish, prideful nature. So they created another island on which they banished him alone, until he could learn how to behave. They built a palace for him with every comfort he could need, and they gave him a chance, once a year, to prove he could change for the better. 

The gods decreed that once a year, one willing visitor from the island would be sent for three days to test whether Tawhiri had learned humility, kindness, and love. If they fell in love, the gods would know Tawhiri had allowed kindness into his heart, and his banishment would be lifted.

And so it went. For years, a young woman was sent to the island for three days in an attempt to charm the god. Despite their stunning beauty, noble bloodlines, and engaging personalities, each returned from the isle rejected. "Clearly," they thought, "we are too inferior.”

One year, one of Tawhiri's storms became a particularly savage typhoon that tore through the island, killing many and laying waste to their resources.

A well-liked farmer in the community was killed in the storm, leaving his wife and young daughter, La'akea, to attempt to salvage what little was left of their modest farm. 

The selection of the women to be sent to Tawhiri was scheduled for next week, and La'akea volunteered to go to the god's island. "But why?" asked her mother. "You aren't born of nobility; we have nothing to offer him. I need you here to help rebuild."

"I know, mother, but it's only for three days," she said confidently. "I want to go to that island and try to persuade Tawhiri to have mercy on us, if for no other reason than to ensure this doesn't have to happen to any other family."

La'akea said goodbye to her mother and friends, boarded her tiny boat, and began rowing toward Tawhiri Island.

The island was beautiful, but she could sense an odd sadness there. As she drifted into the lagoon where the god would meet her, she couldn't help but notice that, unlike on her own island, the birds didn't gossip happily in the trees. She heard no frogs talking about where to find the juiciest mosquitoes; she didn't hear one melancholy plea from a sloth looking for a mate. Even the palms stood more rigid in the breeze.

Tawhiri stood at the shore, waiting for La'akea to land. He looked her over, arms crossed, and huffed. "You won't do, I know this already."

"Okay. I can go now if you wish."

"No," Tawhiri said curtly as he turned to walk toward the jungle. "I'm sure you're useful for something." He called over his shoulder, waving a hand dismissively. 

Before he reached the jungle's edge, he turned back toward her. "You may camp on this portion of the shore." Tawhiri nodded towards a small alcove, shaded on one side by palms and offering an open view of the ocean on the other. "There's no proper shelter, and it's swarming with mosquitoes, but it will provide shade under the palms." He studied her. "My palace is on the top of that mountain," he pointed to the summit of the single majestic mountain that dominated the island before turning on his heel and striding away.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, La'akea called after Tawhiri, "Thank you so much! It's breathtaking!" She began tidying the small clearing and making a shelter when she realized he was right: mosquitoes were everywhere.

Hidden behind an enormous fern, Tawhiri watched, curious as she searched up and down the coast. "Stupid girl, she thinks there's somewhere else she can go without mosquitoes." 

She stopped at a growth of citronella plants. Tawhiri looked on, puzzled as she bowed and whispered beneath her breath. When she returned to the clearing, he was shocked to see it flanked on three sides with mature citronella.

He stormed over. "How dare you move my plants!"

La'akea touched the leaves gingerly. "I didn't move them. I guess they just felt like growing here.”

With her shelter assembled and a fire crackling, La'akea went looking for her dinner. 

Once again, Tawhiri hid and watched, waiting for her to fail. 

He knew the citronella had already blabbed to the other plants about this kind, generous girl, so he wasn't surprised to see her return to camp with enough breadfruit, mango, and yams for days.

"Well, she thinks she's so clever; let's see how well she can fish with no line." He rubbed his hands together and watched.

La'akea stretched her back and looked toward the sky at a flock of gulls gliding over the beach. She called out, and two glided down to perch on the sand in front of her. She knelt, speaking to them before they flew away. 

Then, hot and sweaty from a long day of physical labor, she waded into the ocean for a swim. La'akea dove beneath the waves, then emerged laughing and slapping the water. The god thought her mad until he saw a pod of dolphins swimming, playing, and laughing with her. 

La'akea embraced her new friends and waved goodbye before wading back to shore. The sun was setting, and Tawhiri noticed for the first time that she was, in fact, a beautiful girl. He hadn't thought as much at first; in fact, he found her a bit plain. Standing on the shore with a serene smile, enjoying the sun on her face, he thought she might be the most beautiful woman sent to his island so far.

He was waiting for her when she got back to her temporary home.

By the fire lay a neatly piled feast of squid and shellfish. "Oh, great! The gulls found some. I'm glad it wasn't too much trouble." She stoked the flames, clearing a hole for the mollusks to rest, then covered them to cook. 

"Are you staying for dinner?" she asked cheerfully as she got busy arranging large logs of driftwood around the fire. 

"Why on earth would I want to eat here?" Tawhiri spat. 

La'akea smiled and sat on one of the smooth driftwood logs. She twisted her long black hair to wring out the seawater and dry it by the fire. "I take it you haven't made friends with the other inhabitants of this island yet."

"I don't need friends. I have unlimited power and omnipresence." Tawhiri sniffed and looked away.

La'akea poked thoughtfully at the embers with a long stick. "Well, not anymore, I suppose?" She looked up at him. Her eyes glowed as if the fire had adorned them with its brilliance.  

Tawhiri realized he needed to collect himself. "I must leave you now." He said suddenly.

"I understand." La'akea moved closer toward him. Tawhiri's breath caught in his throat as she drew near. "You're welcome to stay and dine with us if you change your mind." 

He was about to ask who she was referring to, but was interrupted by a fantastic sight.

A family of mongoose came scampering to the fire, followed by a rainbow of birds, chatting frogs, chirping bats, and even two sloths who had apparently finally found each other. La'akea patted the space on her log, gesturing for Tawhiri to sit next to her. He did as he was told. 

La'akea served fruit to the birds, sloths, and bats. She served shellfish to the mongoose family and gave the frogs an enormous palm leaf, filled to the brim with mosquitoes.

Others joined the party as the night progressed. The gulls stopped by, the dolphins gave their regards from the ocean, and jokes and stories were shared around the fire. A good time was had by all.

After everyone had moved on to their cozy nests, trees, and burrows, Tawhiri bade La'akea good night. Later on, as he tossed and turned in his extravagant bed, he realized he did not want to be without her.

For the next two days, Tawhiri joined La'akea in playing with the dolphins, climbing to the tops of the trees to say hello to the sloths, and marveling at the theater of the brilliantly colorful island birds as they danced to lure mates.

La'akea was much loved by everyone. The plants appreciated her courtesy, the animals enjoyed her company, and they were all pleasantly surprised to hear Tawhiri laugh loudly at her jokes. He left the palace, opting to sleep near her around their cozy fire instead of his downy bed. He seemed to be the most grateful on the island to be in her company.

Day three arrived too soon, and sorrow descended over the island. La'akea said her goodbyes to her new friends. The skies clouded, the jungle grew quiet, and Tawhiri stood in silence at the shore, watching as she prepared to launch her boat. 

"Thank you so much for allowing me to stay these three days," she chirped cheerfully, shaking his hand. 

"Don't leave!" He blurted out awkwardly. "I don't want you to leave. Please stay."

La'akea looked at Tawhiri affectionately and pulled him in for a long hug.

"I'd love to stay. I've had a great time with you." 

"So you'll stay with me?" He pleaded.

"It breaks my heart to leave you lonely, but I have to get back to my own island. My mother needs me, my friends need me, and the whole island needs me to help rebuild."

Tawhiri looked down at the sand. "I'm sorry," he whispered softly. "I was selfish and immature when I sent that storm. I'm ashamed of my behavior."

She couldn't abandon what she loved. For the first time, he loved someone enough not to ask.  

With that, the island rumbled and drifted loose, breaking free of the anchor with which it was bound. It drifted toward La'akea's Island, gently coming to rest close by. The sea hoisted a bridge fashioned with its floor between the lands, joining them. The animals of both islands greeted each other with joy, and the people offered loud thanks to the gods for this beautiful miracle. 

And as Tawhiri embraced his true love, he did too.