302 
FABLES. 
Is not the warrior liable to fall ? but the diligent tiller of 
the soil never. What does it benefit a man, though brave 
in war, when his reward is uncertain ? But a man who is 
brave, or diligent, in tilling the ground, is sure of his. 
85. Kohia te kai rangatira, ruia ta taitea. 
Gather the best food, throw the worst away. 
The following are a few specimens of He Korero Tara, or 
Fables : — 
1 . 
The Sweet Potatoe, Kumara, and The Fern-root, Hoi. 
Kumar a. — Mataharuharu ; no- 
hoanga roa i te ahi te ahi ; roke 
nui. 
Hoi . — Ahakoa ra au kino, ka- 
wea au ki te wai, raupitia, taka 
mai te muri-tai e taka ra. 
Kumara . — Sitting long by the 
fire ; face wet with tears ; large 
hard lump. 
Hoi . — Though I am bad, take 
me to the water ; press me ; let 
the sea breeze come, how sweet ! 
Formerly fern-root was nearly the sole food of the natives during 
the winter months. It was beaten indoors, on account of the con- 
stant rain, and their houses being always filled with smoke, the 
eyes were as constantly suffused with tears. 
This seems to be uttered by way of reproach, the fern-root being 
an unsightly lump ; but, when properly prepared, it is not at all 
unpalatable. 
The moral of the fable appears to be, that, although the kumara 
be more palatable, yet it is neither so abundant, nor does it last so 
long, as the fern-root, which is always in season. 
2 . 
The Eel, Tuna , and The Cod-fish, Hapuku. 
Wapuku . — Tehea tau wahi 
momona ? 
Tuna . — Momona ake i taku 
hiku, a taku tongahau ; a ka eke 
ki runga ki a Tumatua, ka noho 
tau tokorua. Tehea tau ? 
Wapuku . — Which is your best 
part ? 
Tuna . — I am good from my 
tail to my middle ; and if you 
get to the top of Tumatua, you 
can sit two together. Which is 
your good part ? 
