Illustrated by Joseph John
Flying Fox and Rat
A legend told by Siti Wilson of Tahal Nesa, Paama
Long ago, when Flying Fox had no wings,
Flying fox and Rat were very good friends.
In the bush, near where the friends lived,
a man planted a garden.
He planted many vegetables, and cared for his garden.
One day, the man saw something had eaten his vegetables.
He saw foot prints in the garden.
He picked up a stick and said,
“A pig has been here. I will catch the pig!”
The man hid and waited for the pig.
No pig came!
Flying Fox and Rat came!
They started to eat the man’s vegetables.
The man jumped out suddenly,
and chased Flying Fox and Rat.
Rat ran and hid in his hole.
Flying Fox had nowhere to hide.
The man hit Flying Fox hard with the stick and said,
“Next time I catch you in my garden,
I will kill you!”
Rat came out of his hole.
“Poor Flying Fox!
I will help you, so next time you can also escape.
Pick two taro leaves, and bring them to me,” said Rat.
Flying Fox picked two taro leaves and gave them to Rat.
Rat stuck the leaves on Flying Fox’s back.
“Now, when you see a man,
you must flap your wings and fly away,” said Rat.
And that is how Flying Fox got his wings.
A legend told by Siti Wilson of Tahal Nesa, Paama
Long ago, when Flying Fox had no wings,
Flying fox and Rat were very good friends.
In the bush, near where the friends lived,
a man planted a garden.
He planted many vegetables, and cared for his garden.
One day, the man saw something had eaten his vegetables.
He saw foot prints in the garden.
He picked up a stick and said,
“A pig has been here. I will catch the pig!”
The man hid and waited for the pig.
No pig came!
Flying Fox and Rat came!
They started to eat the man’s vegetables.
The man jumped out suddenly,
and chased Flying Fox and Rat.
Rat ran and hid in his hole.
Flying Fox had nowhere to hide.
The man hit Flying Fox hard with the stick and said,
“Next time I catch you in my garden,
I will kill you!”
Rat came out of his hole.
“Poor Flying Fox!
I will help you, so next time you can also escape.
Pick two taro leaves, and bring them to me,” said Rat.
Flying Fox picked two taro leaves and gave them to Rat.
Rat stuck the leaves on Flying Fox’s back.
“Now, when you see a man,
you must flap your wings and fly away,” said Rat.
And that is how Flying Fox got his wings.
