Maui Slows the Sun
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Hello! Welcome to Stories Podcast. I'm your host, Amanda Weldon. Today's story is called Maui Slows the Sun, an adaptation of a Polynesian myth written for you by Daniel Hines.

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Maui slows the sun. Once upon a time, when the islands of Hawaii were new, there lived a mighty man named Maui. He was strong enough to pull up any fish. He could row a waka canoe into raging waves without losing speed, and he could even change his shape. Oftentimes, Maui would become a fish and slice through the tropical waters, or become a bird and soar through the cerulean skies.

Cerulean is a fancy word that means bright blue, which was also Maui's favorite color. Be it the sky or the sea, he loved to lose himself in the blue of it all.

Some say this is because Maui got his powers from the oceans and the islands themselves. It's said that his father was a god of the islands. But when Maui was born, he was so sick that his mother thought he was dead. Heartbroken, she wrapped him in her own hair and gave him to the sea.

But Tangaroa, the ocean spirit, found young Maui, already half-god, and blessed him with even more power. Tangaroa then called on the creatures of the sea to deliver Maui home. Dolphins guided him, turtles protected him, and jellyfish, their stingers tucked away, cushioned him as well as any pillows.

Soon, Maui washed up on the shore in front of his grandfather. He recognized the boy and proclaimed it a miracle. His grandson was back! Unfortunately, the grandfather lived on a different island and didn't have a boat handy. He raised Maui himself for many years until together they were able to build a boat and sail to his mother's island. It took some searching, but

But in time, Maui was reunited with his mother and his brothers. At first, his brothers were jealous of Maui's power, but the oldest took them aside and told them how a brother should think.

Remember, when you are on friendly terms, settle your disputes in a friendly way. It is better for us brothers to be kind to other people. These are the ways by which we gain real power. By working for food to feed others, by collecting property to share with others, and by doing anything that helps you promote the good of others. The brothers agreed, and Maui was welcomed back into his family.

He impressed his brothers every day with his strength and fishing ability and thrived living on the islands of Hawaii. But there was one problem. The days are too short, he said. And it was true. Back in those days, the Hawaiian sun moved quickly across the sky over their island.

It would rise early, like always, but it seemed to race across the land, moving as fast as it could. Today, the islands get 12 hours of sunlight a day. Back then, it moved so fast they'd only have a few hours. Imagine it getting dark at lunchtime every day. Maui kept having to cook his dinner in the dark or by the light of a flickering fire, and he was tired of it.

Brothers, he said when he finally couldn't stand another day of darkness. Every day we rush to do our work, and even then it's dark before we're home. It's not natural. People should be able to have dinner in the sun. We'd all like that, agreed his oldest brother, known as Taha among his family and friends. But it's the sun. It's too high. It's too hot. I know you have the powers of a demigod, but even you can't change the sun.

"'Yeah,' said another brother, one they called Roto. "'Even if you turned into a bird, you'd be roast chicken before you hit the ground.' The other brothers laughed, Maui included. "'I understand you don't think it can be done, and I understand why. But still, I refuse to let the sun's rushing around make our days miserable and dark.' Maui stood up strong and proud before his brothers."

His muscles were wet from the sea, and his tattoos seemed to shift in the firelight. No more will the sun leave us in the darkness, he called. Before the sun rises in two days, I will catch it and teach it the proper speed to travel. He held up his magic hook, fashioned from a jawbone, given to him by his grandmother. By my magic and might, it shall be done!

Everyone cheered, but Maui soon quieted them, lifting his hands for silence. I say two days because there's something I need from all of you. I have the power and the plan, but what we're going to need is rope. I need everyone to bring me all the rope they have and spin whatever flax you can into more. With rope and a couple of my brothers, I will slow the sun. They cheered again and everyone got to work.

They trusted in Maui's magic, and they believed that against all odds, he could actually do what he claimed.

So that night and all of the next day were a flurry of activity. People brought every bit of rope and cord they could. There was salt-crusted rope from sea salt riggings. There was algae slick rope from the docks. There was hard knotted rope that made up old bridges. There was string and twine and cord and fiber, fishing line and hemming thread and everything else that could be twisted and braided. Before long, they had a mountain of rope.

Maui supervised while his brothers linked it all up. When they were done, he waved his jawbone over the rope and said a special karakia over them, which is sort of like a prayer or a ritual. And this one was to make the rope magically strong. With that blessing, Maui made it so the rope would never break or burn, no matter how strong or bright the sun might be. By the next evening, they were ready.

Maui took his magic hook and his four brothers, and they set out to the east to slow the sun. "'The sun rises in the east first thing in the morning,' said Maui to the others. "'So it stands to reason that he sleeps over there, too.' The brothers started strong, making their way over the Hawaiian islands."

During the day, when the sun was up, they knew it could see them sneaking along. To avoid it, they only moved at night, flitting from shadow to shadow. It took a couple more days than Maui wanted, but eventually, they arrived. It was well after midnight when Maui and his brothers saw a strange glow ahead of them.

It wasn't the strong glow of dawn or even the faint flicker of fire. It was a deep, burning red, like the ground itself was lava hot. Maui crept forward to see what it was, and then he smiled. Now for a quick ad break. We'll be back with the rest of the story after this. If you'd like Stories Podcast and other favorite kid podcasts ad-free, subscribe to Wondery Plus Kids on Apple Podcasts.

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Thanks! And now back to the story. There in front of him was a colossal pit, dug deep into the stone of the earth, and nestled into that pit was the burning red ball of the sun, fast asleep.

Maui waved his brothers forward and they froze at the sight. The sun was colossal below them, filling a tremendous pit and flaring hot and molten even in its sleep. The brothers were brave, but they weren't as strong or tough as Maui, so they were afraid they'd be burned. Already the heat was stinging at their exposed skin. Don't worry about that, Maui said. I have a plan.

Working quickly in the dark, Maui told his brothers to gather clay from a nearby stream. They complained at first, of course. "'Aw, what's the point?' asked his youngest brother, kicking at the dirt. "'If you wanted us to fetch clay, you should have brought more workers.' "'He's right,' said Roto. "'We're only four and we've been hiking all night. What could some clay huts possibly help?'

Do it or you'll be burnt to a crisp, said Maui. Dawn isn't far off now, and that sun is going to be blazing hot when it comes out of the pit. But Maui! You have to trust me, Maui said. And then he himself went to get the first armload of clay. Seeing he was serious, the brothers joined in.

Once they had a big pile of wet clay, Maui sent his four brothers around the pit, each on a different side, so they stood across from each other. He then helped each one shape their clay into a small hut, just big enough for each brother to crouch in. The still sleeping sun was so warm that the clay walls baked solid as soon as the brothers finished building them. These will keep you safe from the heat, Maui said when they were done.

That'll help a little, said Taha. But then Maui used his magic hook and set another Karakia, and the huts glistened with power. Okay, that'll help a lot, finished Taha. But what's the rest of the plan? asked Roto.

You have the rope? Give it here and listen close, all of you. We're only going to get one chance at this, and we have to make sure it goes perfectly. Maui gestured and his brothers came in close, and together they planned and plotted for the rest of the night. The next morning, the Hawaiian sun snapped awake like it did every day. It stretched and rolled in its stony pit, giving a big, bright yawn, and then prepared to rise and greet the day.

world? The sun was snared, frozen in the middle of its greeting. It had tried to rise into the sky but hit the web of ropes that Maui and his brothers had spent the night knotting. The sun was confused at first. Nothing had ever blocked it before. Did something fall over its pit?

Well, that's easy enough to solve, the sun thought. It flared brighter and brighter, throwing off enough heat to melt whatever had it trapped. But Maui's enchantment was too strong. The rope wouldn't burn or break or even budge. Sun, called Maui, raising his jawbone hook. We're here to talk about your speed. The people of Hawaii need more sun. We can't live in the dark.

Maui! the sun snarled, having heard of the demigod from the seas and the winds. Set me free! Not until we talk. In response, the sun roared and pushed up against the ropes. There was a slight gap, and the sun started to squeeze through. For a moment, the sun thought it was free, but it was just another part of Maui's trap.

Now, Maui snapped, and his brothers, hidden in the clay huts, hauled on their ends of the rope. At once, the web snapped shut around the sun, holding it tight. Too late, the sun realized it wasn't a web, it was a snare.

What are you doing? The sun cried out. It shot heat and whips of light in every direction, but the brothers were in the enchanted huts, and Maui was too strong to be harmed. He swung his jawbone hook down and over the sun, forcing it lower with his magic. Like I said, said Maui, smiling down at the trapped sun, we need to have a talk about you slowing down. The sun fought and argued for a little longer,

But it eventually had to admit that Maui had it beat. It agreed to slow down as it crossed the sky and to give the Hawaiian people sunlight for most of the day. And the people were so happy they praised the sun, and that made the sun happy too. So in the end, everyone won.

But nobody won more than the people. They had plenty of time now to gather their fruit, do their chores, fish the seas, and spend time with their friends and family. Happily ever after, all in the warm glow of the Hawaiian sun. The End

Today's story, Maui Slows the Sun, was an adaptation of a Polynesian myth written for you by Daniel Hines. It was edited and produced for you by Andrew Martin and performed for you by me, Amanda Weldon. If you would like to support Stories Podcast, you can leave us a five-star review on iTunes. Check out all of our merch available at storiespodcast.com slash shop, commission a special video on Cameo, follow us on Instagram at storiespodcast, or simply tell your friends about us.

Thanks for listening!

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