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FABLES. 
78. Tu ke raumati, wakapiri ngahuru. 
You keep at a distance in summer, but stick close in harvest.— 
This is used for a lazy fellow, who runs away during the work¬ 
ing season, and does not return till the crops are dug up. 
79. Me te tarakihi e papa ana i te warn. 
Like locusts chirping in the eighth month, or spring.—A saying 
when there is much food, there is also much talking. 
80. He urunga ekore e wakaarahia hau kino. 
A pillow that is not raised by a tempest.—This saying is applied 
to the top of Tongariro, which is so lofty and difficult of access, 
that whoever takes refuge there is safe from his enemies. 
81. Ekore e hohoro te opeope o te otaota. 
The weeds will not be soon eradicated.—Applied to a large war 
party, which will not be easily vanquished. 
82. Haere e wai i te waewae o TJenuku, kia ora ai te tangata. 
By going to the feet of TJenuku, a man’s life may be saved.— 
TJenuku was famed for his wisdom; therefore, to sit at his 
feet implied to learn wisdom, by which a man might be able 
to preserve his life in the midst of danger. 
83. Ehara te urunga tangata, he urunga panekeneke. 
It is not good to lean upon a man, for he is a moving bolster. 
84. E hara te toa tana, he toa pahekeheke ? Ko te toa ngaki kai 
ekore c paheke. 
What does it benefit a man, if he is brave in war, for it is an 
uncertain thing. But a man who is brave, or diligent, in 
tilling the ground shall be certain of his reward. 
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 
Native Fables : — 
1. 
Kumar a .—Mataharuha.ru ; no- Kumar a .—Sitting long by the 
hoanga roa i te ahi te alii; roke fire ; face wet with tears ; large 
nui. lump. 
Rot .—Ahakoa ra au kino, ka- Rot .—Though I am bad, take 
wea au ki te wai; raupitia; taka me to the water; press me; let 
mai te muii-tai e taka ra. the sea breeze come, how sweet! 
Formerly fern-root was nearly the sole food of the natives during 
the winter months. It was beaten in doors, on account of the con- 
