How the Kiwi Lost its Wings

Thousands of years ago kiwi lived far up among the trees. Also kiwi had extremely bright coloured feathers. In the forest there were lots of other birds. There were pukeko, fantail, sparrow and lots of other birds. Soon Tane Mahuta, the god of the forest said he saw a plague of insects crawling into the forest. He also saw the leaves turning yellow. Then Tane gathered all the birds of the forest. Tane said, “Someone needs to give up their life in the treetops.” First Tane Mahuta asked Pukeko. Pukeko said, “No, I am wanting my feet dry up in the trees.” Then Tane Mahuta asked Morepork. Morepork said, “No, I absolutely love thr light. I am not the kind of bird that wants to live on the forest floor. Tiredly, Tane Mahuta asked Tui. Tui said, “No. I am afraid that I’ll meet something bad.” Then Tane Mahuta asked Kiwi. Tane was very surprised because Kiwi said, “Yes.”

Then Tane Mahuta said to the other birds, “Birds, I am unhappy at you.” “Tui, oh Tui for your punishment you shall have the mark of the coward, the white feather”

“Oh Pukeko., proud Pukeko, you shall live in the swamps.”

“And Cuckoo, from now on you shall lay your eggs in other birds’ nests.

“But brave Kiwi, oh brave little Kiwi, you need to lose your wings and beautiful coloured feathers

Then every bird was where they should be. Kiwi found himself on the ground and that is the story of how the Kiwi lost its wings.