298 
WAKATATTKI, OR PROVERBS. 
How often does the Weka escape from the snare ? — One who 
has had a very narrow escape, will take care not to fall 
into the same danger again, 
52. He Kotuku rerenga tahi. 
A Kotuku whose flight is seen hut once. — The Kotuku, or New 
Zealand Stork, is so rare, that the natives say, a person can 
only expect to see it once in his lifetime. This is applied 
to a great stranger. 
58. Ka pa he ra e huru mai ana ; tena, he ra e heke ana. 
If it was a sun just appearing, well ; but it is a sun which is 
setting. — When an old man is very ill, there is little hope ; 
but there is with youth, that he will live to grow up ; with 
old age, the day wanes, it is near its close. 
54. He iti, he iti Kahikatoa. 
Though small, it is still a Kahikatoa. — A man should not be 
despised on account of his diminutive size ; for he may be 
like the Kahikatoa ( Leptospetmum scopariwn ), which, though 
only a small tree, is remarkable for its strength and tough- 
ness. 
55. Ka roa te ngaromanga, he iti te putanga. 
Though long hidden, it will be only small when seen. — This 
applies to a man of words, but not of deeds : also to a war 
party, which, when large, is confident of success, and 
immediately sets out ; but, when small, it is a long time 
hesitating. 
56. He ringa miti tai heke. 
A hand which licks up the ebb tide. — A Wanganui saying for 
the people who live on the banks of the river, within the 
influence of the tides. Being accustomed to contend with 
the ebb tide, they can manage their canoes better than the 
natives of the interior. 
57. Tino kai, tino ora te kopu. 
By a constant supply of food, the stomach will be always satis- 
fied. — A man may indeed eat plentifully at a feast for a day 
or two ; but he who has the produce of his labour stored 
up, will never want. 
58. Papaku a ringaringa, hohonu a korokoro. 
The hand is shallow, has little in it, but the throat is deep. — 
A saying for a person who eats much but works little, has 
no food in his store. 
