Story Summary
Discover the legend of Maui and Mahuika's Fire. Learn how the demigod Maui tricked the fire goddess to bring the permanent secret of fire to all of humanity.
Curious about the origin of fire, the demigod Maui extinguished all the cooking fires in his village. When his mother told him the fire came from his ancestress Mahuika in the underworld, Maui set off to find her. He met the terrifying goddess, whose fingernails were made of living flame. Maui respectfully asked for fire, and Mahuika plucked one of her nails to give him. However, Maui’s trickster nature took hold. He walked a short distance, extinguished the flame in a stream, and returned to ask for another. He repeated this until Mahuika had given him nineteen of her burning nails. Realizing she was being deceived, Mahuika became enraged. She threw her final burning toe-nail to the ground, unleashing a wall of fire that consumed the forest and threatened to burn the world. Maui transformed into a hawk to escape, but the heat singed his feathers. He called upon his ancestors, the gods of weather, to send a great rain. The downpour quenched the flames, but before the fire died out completely, Mahuika threw the remaining sparks into the Kaikomako and Mahoe trees. To this day, the secret of fire remains hidden in their wood, waiting for humans to draw it out by rubbing sticks together.
The Moral
Respect those who provide for you, as greed and trickery can turn a gift into a dangerous lesson.
“The fire is not lost; it is only hidden within the heart of the wood.”
Fun Fact
Traditional Maori fire-making involves a 'fire-plow' method using the Mahoe tree, which is scientifically known to have a low ignition point, aligning with the legend.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Maui and Mahuika's Fire?
The story teaches that while curiosity can lead to knowledge, trickery and a lack of respect for elders can have disastrous consequences. It also highlights the balance between destruction and the utility of fire.
Why did Maui trick Mahuika?
Maui wanted to understand how fire was produced and where it came from, rather than just receiving a flame. He tricked her repeatedly to see how many times she could produce fire from her body.
How did Mahuika react to Maui's trickery?
Mahuika was initially generous, but once she realized Maui was wasting her gifts and mocking her, she became furious and used her last spark to set the entire world on fire to punish him.
Why is fire found in trees according to Maori legend?
During the great rain that stopped Mahuika's fire, she threw the last of her sparks into certain trees like the Mahoe and Kaikomako so they wouldn't be lost. This explains why wood can be used to start fires.
Who is Mahuika in Maori mythology?
Mahuika is the goddess of fire and an ancestress of Maui. She lives in the underworld and possesses the secret of fire within her own body, specifically in her fingernails and toenails.
How did Maui survive the fire he caused?
Maui first tried to escape by turning into a hawk, but when that wasn't enough, he prayed to his ancestors, the gods of rain and storms, who sent a deluge to extinguish the flames.