Papuan Fairy Tales/How the Flying Fish lived first in a Tree
HOW THE FLYING FISH LIVED FIRST IN A TREE.
In the old days there was but dry land, for no man knew that the sea was pent up in a tree in the land of Modaua, which is to the east of Wamira. This is the tale of how it was found to be there, and also how it was set free to spread its waters out upon that part of the earth which it now covers.
It came to pass that a certain man had a wife, whose name was Kemiana, and she was old and therefore could not seek food for herself, but ever remained in the house, while her husband sought it for her. One day as he was thus hunting he called to his dog, which had been beside him. But the dog came not, and the man went to seek him.
When he found him, the dog was under a tree eating greedily of some shining white things which lay upon the ground. "What eatest thou?" cried the man, and went closer to see. Now, though he knew it not, the shining white things were flying fish which had been washed out of a hole in the tree by the waves of the sea inside. And as this was so each day, some of the fish had lain there for long, and were evil smelling, while others were still alive. It was these which the dog was eating.
Now the man, doubting in his heart what this strange food might be, yet gathered some to take to Kemiana, for he had caught nothing, and he knew his wife would be hungry and scold him if he fed her not. Therefore when he reached home he laid the flying fish before Kemiana saying, "This truly is a strange food which I have brought thee. Yet thou art old, and if it bring death to thee the sooner what matter? It is better for thee to taste them than for a young person to do so."
Then Kemiana, being hungry, ate of the flying fish, and forthwith fell into a deep sleep. Nor did she wake in the morning when the sun rose, as did the others. Therefore the children wondered if she were already dead that she yet slept when the sun was high in the heavens. And they shook her until her eyes were opened. Then she said, "Ah, what was this beautiful food which ye gave me, and which caused me to sleep so well?"
Then the people having given her more, and seeing that she took no ill effect, ate of the flying fish also. And the people being many, the fish which the waves washed up each day were not sufficient. Therefore said the men, "Let us cut down the tree, and so shall we eat in plenty of the fish."
The two tribes of Lavarata and Aurana set out to cut down the tree, and they took with them stone axes and food to eat when they were weary of their work. And first the Aurana tribe cut at the trunk of the tree while the Lavarata tribe made ready food, that they who laboured might eat when they were tired. Then the men of Aurana, having cut mightily into the trunk of the tree, sat down to eat. But as they ate the Lavarata tribe rose up secretly, and with few blows smote the tree until it fell. Then rushed forth great waters, and spread themselves forth as far as the eye could see, and they were full of fish of all kinds. And these waters were what men now call the sea.
Now as the tree fell, it fell upon the men of Aurana who sat eating. And with such force did it smite them that they were rolled into the waters which surged before them, and thus they were carried far out into the sea, where they became the seafolk. Kuvokuvoe and Buabuaga, who dwell now amongst the floating spawn of the flying fish. And their deeds are not good but evil, for if a man who seeks the spawn sleeps on his canoe, being weary, the Kuvokuvoe lay hands upon him and drag him into the depths of the sea, and cause his death. It is also their light which thou mayest see at night far out to sea, and their voices which thou hearest as they call one to another when all is still in the night.
It came to pass that as the tree fell and the waters rushed forth those who stood by saw that the water which came out was of the colour of blood.
The Lavarata tribe, liking not the colour, cut down an ebony tree and scraped it until they had a heap of dark scrapings. On these they poured water and squeezed handfuls into the sea, which lost its red colour and became brackish. Then they cut down yet another tree and did in like manner, and the sea became blue in colour, and salt to the taste, even as it is to this day. Then the people said, "It is well."
Now it came to pass that when the waters of the sea rushed forth, they carried many of the fish with them. But the flying fish hid in the swamps on the shore. There the women found them, and being thus nigh at hand they fished for them every day, and went never to the gardens to weed. Therefore weeds were many, and the men who went to work at the gardens, as of old, saw that soon the food would be choked. Yet still the women fished. When the first bird called to its mate they began to fish, and ceased not until the sun sank into the sea at even.
Then said an old man, "What shall be done that our women may leave this fishing and do their work once more? I, even I, will send these fish away that they be no longer in our midst."
Therefore he went to the flying fish who were yet in the swamps, and said to them, "Go ye, and dwell in the midst of the sea. Only in your seasons shall ye be caught. If any be offended because he hath no fish, be not caught. Only if all share alike shall ye come into their nets. If any search in vain for his food in the morning because the mouse hath eaten it, come ye not nigh unto him. He shall search and shall not find."
Then he took a handful of broken coral from the ground and cast it upon the flying fish and drove them forth into the midst of the sea. And if thou wilt look at the head of a flying fish thou wilt see the marks of the coral which the old man cast at them when he sent them far from the land into the heart of the sea.