A Fijian Fable

A Fijian Fable

(A Tale from Fiji)

Everyone loves a feast, and the birds, beasts and insects are no exception.

One day the frog, the grasshopper, the land crab, the sandpiper bird, the tree spider and the bull ant all met together and decided to have a feast.

Polynesian sandpipers (Prosobonia leucoptera)

“Each one must do his share to help,” said the sandpiper. “I, being a fisherman, will bring fish." And on he flew to the beach and began to wade among the small pools left by the tide to see what he could find.

“I will bring nuts for a vegetable," chirruped the grasshopper, and with a great hop he went off to climb an ivi tree in search of its delicious nuts.

“I have strong and powerful claws that are useful for digging," said the crab, “so I will dig out the hollow pit for the oven, and I will bring stones for lining it."

The ant went to break off branches to cover the food in the oven, but in climbing up a breadfruit tree she stuck to the sticky gum on the bark and there she died.

The grasshopper, in trying to bite off the stem of an ivi nut, broke all his teeth and descended sadly to the ground, where he also died.

“Ha, ha! That is very funny," laughed the spider, and he slapped his thighs so hard that he broke them both. Then the frog shook with laughter at this mishap, and he puffed himself up and up till he burst.

The crab had been digging away all this time. He had almost finished the oven pit, but he had chosen a place with too many stones and in trying to move a heavy one, he broke his claws and was therefore quite helpless.

Meanwhile, the sandpiper had been the lucky one and had caught plenty of fish. He returned feeling well pleased with himself, only to find that his friends had each come to grief and that there was no one left. Without friends to share the feast, he found no enjoyment in dining on the fish he had worked so hard to catch.

Source:

Tales from the South Pacific Islands

Anne Gittins

1977

Pages: 26-27