Papuan Fairy Tales/Manubada's Bride
MANUBADA'S BRIDE.
In the old days there was a girl who was so fair to see that no man cared to look on any other when she was by. Her hair was curly, she was not too tall, and her eyes shone like stars. Her companions envied her, and they determined to rid themselves of her if it were possible. They therefore took counsel together and made a plan. "Let us go fishing," they said, "and then we can leave our rival behind when we return."
They waited for a calm day, and when at last one dawned, they gathered their fishing baskets, took down their nets from where they hung in the house, and, calling for all who were not ready, they went down to the beach where the canoe lay. Then they went on board, and started for the little island where they hoped to gather many shell fish.
When they were come to the island, the girls asked their rival to tarry with the canoe, while they fished. "We will take thy basket with us," said they, "and fill it for thee." Now the beautiful girl had a mind to fish for herself, yet at the word of the others she tarried with the canoe.
The girls were away for some time, and found plenty of fish, but they kept it all for themselves, and filled the basket of their rival with empty shells. Then they came back to the canoe, and all went on board once more and set out for home. The beautiful girl, who had cared for the canoe, looked into her basket as she sat, and found it was full of empty shells. Yet was she not angry, but said with gentle voice, "Friends, will ye paddle back to the island for a little? I must get some fish ere I go home."
The girls nodded their heads kindly, for indeed this was what they had plotted, and their plan was working well. So they turned the canoe round, and went back once more to the island. The beautiful girl leapt lightly out, and ran along the beach looking for fish. In a little she found plenty, and hasted back to the landing place. But alas! there she found that the faithless maidens had deserted her, and she was alone on the desolate island.
She sat down and wept until she was weary. Then she ate a mango which she had carried with her, and as she made an end of eating, she threw the stone behind her. After a time she saw that the tide was rising, moreover, she remembered that the island was covered at high tide. Then she feared greatly that she would be drowned, as the cruel girls had wished. She looked about for a way of escape, and found that the mango stone she had thrown behind her had already sprouted, and was grown a tree. The girl climbed up quickly, for waves were now washing at the foot of the tree.
By and by came Manubada, the great fish hawk. He flapped his wings with joy when he saw the maiden in the tree. He had never looked on aught so fair before, and he took her to be his bride. Then did Manubada bring her fish, and she turned aside with loathing, saying, "I cannot eat raw flesh." But he had no fire to give her, and sorrow filled his heart that she ate not of his gifts.
After a time a little son was born. As soon as he was grown his mother bade him fly to the mainland and bring her help. Quoth she, "Little son, on the beach thou wilt see a natu tree. Perch on that and wait until a man in mourning garb passes under it. He is thy grandfather, and is mourning for me, his child. Do thou tell him where I am. Ask him also to give thee a cooking pot, a piece of burning wood, some taro, and a pearl shell with which to peel it."
The bird-child did even as his mother bade him, and perched on the natu tree. And in a little, an old man passed by, whose body was soiled with earth, and whose beard was black and long. Now the dirt and the beard were signs of mourning, and the bird-child saw also that the old man wore on his arm a plaited wicker armlet, therefore he knew him to be his grandfather, and he called to him.
The old man at the sound of the voice stopped to listen, and when he had heard the whole tale his heart was full of joy. For he knew that his daughter, whom he had mourned this long time, was not dead, but living. Then he made haste and put a cooking pot, a pearl shell, some taro, and a piece of burning wood in his canoe, and launched forth. And the bird-child flew in front and showed him whither he should steer.
They reached the island, and the old man greeted his daughter with joy. Then he cooked taro tor her, and she ate it and was filled.
When the meal was now over, the old man helped his daughter into the canoe, and took her back to her old home, her little son flying overhead. In the evening all sat round the fire, and talked of what had befallen the girl. But while they were yet talking, little Manubada said on a sudden, "Here we sit, but ye are people, and I am only a bird!" And having spoken he stretched his wings and departed into the night, nor did he ever return.
As for Manubada's bride, her old lover, to whom she was betrothed before she left her village, was still 
HOW THE TWINS KILLED MANUDABA.
To face p. 61