The Wreck of the Delaware

Many years ago there was a house on the beach and it was RATTLING with rain. In the distance Huria saw a ship outside. She went to wake up her husband and her helper. They ran about a mile down the beach. On the ship the Captain thought he should throw a rope. The man that could actually swim was Henry Squirrell. Henry thought he could tie the rope on his waist and swim over but he got swept onto the rocks and knocked unconscious. They pulled him on the boat and put him on his bunk. Captain Baldwin was the last to get off the boat. He jumped off the boat. After a few minutes Henry was calling out. He was swept away into the sea.
So they all got a silver or gold watch and that is how Huria saved the day.

How the Kiwi Lost his Wings

Once upon a time there was a forest with all sorts of birds like Tui, Kaka, Pukeko,Kiwi. But one bad thing happened. Bugs came. Tane Mahuta saw a plague of bugs and he called the birds and told them that the forest was going yellow.

First he called Cuckoo. Cuckoo said, “No. I’m building a nest high up in the trees. I don’t want to live down on the ground.” Morepork said, “No. I don’t want to live on the ground because I love the light.” Tui said, “No. I don’t want to live on the floor. I’m afraid of what enemies that would be down on the ground. I like to live up high in the tree tops.” Then he asked Kiwi. Kiwi said, “Yes. I will live on the forest floor. I will love the forest. “

“As it must be,” said Tane. “Now Cuckoo, you will have to use other birds’ nests to lay your eggs in. Morepork, you will have to live in the darkest places of the forest, and Tui, you will have to wear the mark white feather on your throat. Pukeko, you will have to live in the dirtiest swamps of the forest. And Bellbird, I’ll have to make my punishment more gentle. You will sing when the sun first touches the bush.” Then Tane Mahuta was gone.

Kiwi found himself on the ground with long, thick legs and a long beak. Kiwi went off to bed. So this is how Kiwi lost his wings.