The Red Prawns of Vatulele

The Red Prawns of Vatulele

(A Tale from Fiji)

Long ago there lived on the little island of Vatu-Lélé a very beautiful princess who was called the Maiden-of-the-Fair-Wind. She was so beautiful that her fame spread far and wide and every prince wished that she would become his queen.

Vatu-Lélé

Many princes sailed over to her island home to ask for her hand in marriage, but she refused them all. Then one day a young prince, renowned for his great strength, decided to try and win her love. He picked up some great rocks and threw them into the sea, making steppingstones from the main island to Vatu-Lélé; and taking giant strides he crossed over the sea to her home. In his haste he forgot to take any fine gifts for the princess, and he carried with him only a bundle of cooked prawns wrapped in leaves.

When he arrived at the little island he was taken to the palace, and when he saw the Maiden-of-the-Fair-Wind he fell in love with her immediately. He praised her beauty and asked her to marry him, but she refused him, as she had refused many suitors before, and chased him out of the palace. Angry at the mean present of prawns he had brought, she threw the bundle after him. As it landed on the ground the bundle burst, spilling the cooked prawns into a pool with the leaves strewn around it.

As soon as the prawns touched the water they came to life again, but they remained as red as they had been before and never again returned to their transparent grey colour. The leaves took root and grew among the crevices in the rocks, where they are still found by those who search for them.

In the course of time these prawns became sacred, and no one was allowed to touch them. It is said that anyone unwise enough to try and take some away will be shipwrecked.

Source:

Tales from the South Pacific Islands

Anne Gittins

1977

Pages: 30 -31