Call it Courage

When Mafatu wakes, he sees Uri and Kivi next to him. He is weak with hunger and thirst, and notices a coral wound on his calf. Upon hearing the nearby trickle of water, Mafatu first tends to his overwhelming thirst. He thinks about all the things he must do to survive and credits Maui with bringing him safely to the island. Looking around, Mafatu sees no signs that the island is inhabited, but wonders if the island could belong to the “black eaters-of-men” that he has heard of (37). The island’s primary features are its extinct volcanic mountain and lush green jungle. Mafatu tends to his poisonous coral wound: He first cauterizes it with lime juice, then uses purau leaves as a bandage. He next begins a climb to a lookout point from which he can view the island from above. Along the way, he notices the lush fruit trees and dense forest that sharply contrast with the open landscape of Hikueru.

Upon reaching his lookout point, Mafatu observes another island in the distance and again wonders who, if anyone, might inhabit the island he has come to. He also sees the barrier reef that surrounds the island. Only two openings exist in the reef for canoes to exit and enter by, caused by rivers of fresh water flowing down the mountain. Suddenly, Mafatu sees a wild boar through the trees. He imagines what it would be like to return home having killed the boar, with a necklace made from its tusks. His Grandfather Ruau told him about warriors who killed boars with nothing but a knife, a task that required immeasurable courage and that would bring respect from the entire village. Mafatu makes a vow to Maui to return home once his father can take pride in him.

Mafatu decides to explore the opposite side of the island, and as he stumbles down the plateau, remembers a story of how the children of Tahiti would slide down tracks formed by lava on giant leaves. As Mafatu strips leaves from a nearby banana tree, he notices that clusters of bananas have been cut from the tree with a knife—a sign of human presence on the island. After gathering leaves and forming a sled, Mafatu slides down the hill at breakneck speed. At the bottom, he finds a trail and follows it to a clearing that he immediately recognizes as a sacred place. A huge carved idol sits at the top of a pyramid, and human bones lie at the idol’s base. Mafatu knows immediately that this is where cannibals make their sacrifices, and he stands motionless in terror. He wonders whether Maui led him safely to the island, as he thought, or if it was Moana, the sea god, who brought him here as a trap.

Before leaving the clearing, Mafatu notices a spearhead at the idol’s base. He gathers his courage, grabs the spearhead, and runs back through the jungle the way he came. All the while, the jungle seems to grab at him, filling Mafatu with fear. However, he makes it back to the plateau unharmed and realizes the great victory he has achieved in facing his fear. He thanks Maui for helping him, and sings the song of Taaroa, the “hero-god” who came from the ocean and saved his people from their enemies (50).

Back on the beach, Mafatu builds a fire and cooks breadfruit and fei (wild bananas) for dinner. He tends to necessary tasks such as weaving coconut tree fronds into a lean-to. The work is hard without a knife, and Mafatu knows he will need to fashion one out of a pahua shell. He marks a tamanu tree to use for a canoe and resolves to start building it tomorrow. He also determines to climb the plateau each day to watch for the approach of the eaters-of-men from the neighboring island. As Mafatu falls asleep that night, he is proud of having faced Moana and marvels at the new confidence and peace he feels.