Rice — Hawaiian Legends 129 



Makua cried out, "I am in great doubt. What must I do this day? 

 This voice from above has startled me and made me fearful of the trials 

 I must pass through." 



One of the gods answered and said, "This day we will tell you all. 

 You will become a god with us, if you pass the trials. If not, then you 

 will become a messenger and will tell to men the beauties of this land." 



These words were like a calabash of cool water thrown over Makua. 

 They soothed his agitated feelings and he cried, "I am no longer afraid 

 of the tests. I know my gods have faith in me. I am ready to endure the 

 trials. I have faith that I shall resist all temptations. When you are 

 ready, I am ready." 



These words surprised the men and they smiled, saying, "We have 

 not the power to try you. That is given to others. But it will not harm 

 you to be ready at all times. You will not know when you are being tried." 



Then they took Makua into a house where he saw many delicious 

 looking foods which he had never seen before. There on the table was a 

 pig still steaming, as if it had just been taken from the oven. Makua 

 asked for the people of the house and was told that he would see them 

 after he had eaten. Gods of the same rank as Kane had prepared this 

 meal, Kane Nee-nee and Kane-Paina. 



When Makua had finished his meal, he was taken to a beautiful seat 

 from where he noticed a woman and a boy enter. He again asked for 

 his trial, but was told as before not to be anxious, he would not know when 

 it would be, he should have faith that lie would stand fast during his 

 temptation. 



The woman and the boy who had entered were still in the background. 

 The woman was none other than the spirit of Makua's wife. The boy 

 was his son whom he had left at home. He had been put to sleep in his 

 house and his spirit had been brought here by the gods. Both wife and 

 son had been told all that they should do in the presence of Makua, who 

 was about to be tried. 



Makua heard the woman asking the boy how he had reached this land 

 hidden from mortals, and heard her warning him that he would be killed, 

 if discovered. He heard the boy's reply that he had swum hither because 

 he was told that his father, who had been eaten by a big fish, had been 

 thrown up there. 



Listening eagerly, Makua heard the boy say further, "I cannot swim 

 back. I have just escaped death from the cold water. My body became 

 stiff and if I had not been washed ashore, I should have perished." 



