ORIGINS | The Origin of Turtles
THE TONGANS BELIEVED that Langi was the god of the sky land. He ruled his subjects firmly, not least of all his two beautiful, wayward daughters Lola and Fatafei. They were discontented with the lofty world in which they lived, and craved the excitement of a visit to the islands far below. On a cloudless day they could see the many islands of Tonga far below. Tongatabu, the largest of them, lay on the blue sea like a polished gem. The girls pestered their father to allow them to visit just the one island. Langi was aware of the attractions it offered to two susceptible girls -- golden beaches, waves to frolic in, soft winds singing through the palms, music, dancing and, above all, the handsome young men of Tongatabu who had an eye for any pretty girl.
Langi's answer was always an uncompromising "no."
"It's not fitting for the daughters of the immortal gods to mingle with frail mortals," he reproved them. "Do you know there are young people down there who yearn to visit the beautiful sky land? Why can't you be content with the best of all worlds?"
"If the young men are so anxious to visit the sky land, why don't you let them come here?" they asked. "It's selfish to keep everything for yourself."
That's quite enough, " Langi said firmly. "This is where you're going to stay. Tomorrow I've to see some of my friends in the spirit world. While I'm in Bulotu a guard will be left in front of the house to see you don't get into mischief."
He threw his cloak round his shoulders and strode off. "
This is the chance we've been waiting for," Lola whispered to her sister. "While father is away we'll slip down to earth. We can get back long before he returns from Bulotu."
"You forget the guard at the door," Fatafei reminded her. "I haven't forgotten," Lola said. "Look here," and she showed her sister an opening she had made in the back wall of the house.
The two young women crept through it and made their way to earth. Who can tell how they accomplished such a difficult feat? Ah, but were they not daughters of a god and themselves imbued with god-like qualities?
But, as they appeared suddenly in the midst of an all-male kava drinking party, they were no longer goddesses, but mischievous girls, ready for any adventures the men of Nuku'alofa might have in store.
The men were all on their feet, welcoming them and inviting them to sit with them. The sisters realised that this was an unprecedented honour and attributed it to their faces and figures.
If for a moment there had been pause for wonderment and even alarm at the sudden appearance of two celestial beings, it was quickly forgotten as the girls giggled and showed themselves off to the men as though they were shameless mortal hussies.
One man strove with another to possess the strangers and in a short time the quiet dignity of the kava drinking was gone. Argument gave way to physical violence. Weapons were produced, and before long heads were bloodied and bones broken. Matters became even worse when wives joined in to discipline their husbands. The sound of strive was heard throughout the island.
The two sisters were thoroughly enjoying themselves. The sky land was a world of peace where nothing as exciting as this ever happened. Unfortunately the uproar was heard as far away as Bulotu. Langi suspected that his wayward daughters were the cause of the trouble. Like a dark thunder cloud he rose from the spirit world and swooped low over Nuku'alofa. Spying his daughters sitting at the kava bowl, lifting the coconut shell cups to their lips, and thoroughly enjoying the tumult they had caused, he materialised in front of them. A sudden silence fell as the Tongans recognised the sky gd and scampered back to their homes.
"You have brought shame on me as well as yourselves," he thundered. "Tell me, have you eaten any of the fruit of this world?"
"Yes," Lola said, "I've eaten some. It's good. It's better than what we have in our world."
"You silly, stupid girl! Don't you realise that you are no longer a goddess. You are a mortal. Now you will die."
He turned to his other daughter. "What about you, Fatafei? You are more sensible than Lola. Have you eaten any?"
"Not yet, Father."
"And what does that mean?"
"It means that I'm going to stay here. You've no idea what fun it is. It's the most wonderful experience of my life."
"Even though it means that some day you'll die?"
She tossed her head. "I don't care. I never want to go back to the dull life up there."
Langi looked at her sadly. "I thought you would have had more sense," he said. "Look, Lola is beginning to wilt already."
And indeed her cheeks had begun to wrinkle, her eyes no longer sparkled, and there were grey hairs among her black tresses.
"Quick, Fatafei. Will you come with me?"
"No, I'm going to stay with Lola."
"No, you won't," said Langi with a surge of anger. He caught her by the hair, cut off her head, and with a sweep of his arm, threw it far out to sea, where it changed into a turtle -- the first turtle that was ever seen off the island of Tongatabu (Myths and Legends of Polynesia. AW Reed 1974 Literary Publications Ltd: Wellington). BACK TOP
