written by Alaiseä Iosefa
illustrated by Joy Goodenow

Table of Contents

O LE TAMA NA MANA'OMIA SE FESOASOANI

Feso'ota'iga A Tagata Samoa Ma Le Sami
(Samoans Bond With the Sea)

Ua Sola Le 'Ae Tu'u Le Foto
(The Sting Ray Leaves Its Spine Behind)

O Le Tama Na Mana'omia Se Fesoasoani
(A Boy Needs Help)

FESO'OTA'IGA A TAGATA SÄMOA MA LE SAMI

I le tausaga e 1768, o se ali'i fölau mai le mälö a Falani na fölau fa'ata'amilo i le lalolagi ma sa ia tau atu i ni fuäva'a o va'aalo ma fa'apea ai lona manatu o tagata ia o lo'o ö e sä'ili ni motu po'o ni i si lau'ele'ele e mamao 'ese atu. 'Ae peita'i o tagata ia o ni tamäloloa na ö e alo atu. (ponito, tuna) Ma na ia fa'aigoa ai le motu na lätou ömai ai o le "Motu o Tagata Fölau". (Navigators Island) O le igoa lea na fa'aigoa ai le atu Sämoa e lea alii.

Mulimuli ane ona ia iloa lea o tagata o lo'o nonofo i lea motu o ni tagata e popoto tele fölau, talu ai ona 'ua lätou mauaina lea motu, mai le tele o maila ma le faigatä o le sami 'ae lätou te lë i fa'aaogäina ni mea e fölau ai e pei o mea 'ua fa'aaogäina i nei onapö. Sä oso fo'i lona maofa ona 'ua mafai e tagata Sämoa ona fölau i ni na o ni va'a läiti.

I nei aso 'ua 'avea le sami ma se mea e aogä tele i ola o tagata Sämoa. I le nonofo i se motu e si'omia e le sami, o le tele o tagata e nonofo latalata lava i le sami.

Ma 'ua lauiloa ai i le Vasa Pasefika o tagata Sämoa e popoto tele i le fägota. E tele ni itü'äiga 'auala 'ua fa'aaogäina e tagata Sämoa e maua mai ai ni i'a. E pei o faiva 'ua iai le mümölï, lamatofu, lamasavali, tosopä, taumalau, ma le i si anoano o faiva 'ese'ese. O le sami 'ua 'avea lea ma se tasi o 'auala o le tamäo'äiga o tagata Sämoa i aso faiso'o, 'auä o i'a e maua mai ai le tasi o mea täua e tatau ona maua e le tino, o le polötini (potein).

UA SOLA LE FAI 'AE TU'U LE FOTO

O le tele o nu'u ma alalafaga i Sämoa, e tutü latalata i le sami. O le sami, o le tasi lea 'auala e maua mai ai mea taumafa a tagata Sämoa. Ma 'ua tele ai fo'i tagata Sämoa e popoto e fai faiva. Faiva e iai le mümölï, lamatofu lamasavali, tosopä, taumalau, ma le anoano o isi itü'äiga faiva e faia e tagata Sämoa.

O lenei tala o le tala e uiga i le i'a lea o le fai ma lona si'usi'u o lo'o iai se ivi mata'utia lava.

O le fai o se i'a e föliga mai o se manulele. Talu ai ona o le lautetele o ona täpilipili e föliga mai pei o ni 'apa'au o se manulele. E ia fo'i lona si'usi'u umï.

E pei lava o i si i'a o le sami lätou te fa'aaogä o lätou gutu e tapu'e ai ä lätou mea'ai. E iai le gutu o le fai, e mafai ona ia pu'eina ma 'ai se ula po'o se pa'a. E mafai e le gutu o le fai ona folo se lima o se tagata. O i si taimi na te fa'aaogä ona täpilipili e tapu'e ai ni tama'i i'a e fai ai lana mea'ai.

O lona si'usi'u umï o lo'o iai se ivi e pei lona mata'utia ma tïgä pe'ä lavea ai o le mata'utia o le ü a se gata. A fa'ate'i pe tü se tagata o lo'o 'au'au po'o se tagata o lo'o tofutofu i se fai ona fesaua'i lea o lona si'usi'u äga'i i luga. A lavea ai i le ivi o lo'o i le si'usi'u, o se fa'alogona lë lelei ona o le tïgä tele. O lea ivi e ta'ua e tagata Sämoa o le "foto". E mäsani ona fa'alogo o fa'apea ni tala a tagata; "'Ua sola le Fai 'ae tu'u le Foto." E fa'atatau lea i se tagata na te faia se mea lelei po'o se mea matagä ona alu lea 'ae tümau ma manatua pea lava e tagata lana mea sä fai.

O le Fai e mäsani lava ona tele i 'ogäsami e maua 'iai le oneone po'o le pala. E fiafia tele fo'i le fai e nofo i 'ogäsami mäfanafana, po'o 'ogäsami fo'i ia e tafe atu 'i ai se vaitafe, pei o le vä o Vaiusu ma le Penisula i Mulinu'u, i le motu o Upolu i Sämoa i Sisifo.

O le lanu o le tai tutusa ma le lanu o le ta'ele o le sami, ma, ua fai lea ma ona lafitaga mai ona fili. Fa'ato'ä fa'aaogä lava e le fai le foto pe'ä fai o le'ä lamatia lona ola.

O LE TAMA NA MANA'OMIA SE FESOASOANI

O le mäsani a tupulaga o nu'u o Sämoa i afiafi o aso ta'itasi, o le fai lea o ni ä lätou tä'aloga i le malae. Lätou te tä'a'alo i le kirikiti, volipolo, (volleyball) lape, lakapï fa'aperetania ma isi mau tä'aloga. A lë o lea, lätou te nofonofo fo'i i se ta'alaolao ma talatalanoa.

I se tasi afiafi ina 'ua uma tä'aloga tupulaga, ma 'ua tä mai le sä a le nu'u ma 'ua tofu tamaiti ma teneiti ona fa'avave 'i ö lätou 'äiga mo faigätalosaga o le afiafi.

Sä iai se 'auali'i e to'alua na fai sä lä'ua tonu lä te ö e 'ave sä lä lamatofu pe'ä suasua mai le tai. O le suafa o le tasi ali'i o Söfeni. O Söfeni e tusa o le luasefulu ona tausaga, 'a'o le isi ali'i e igoa 'iä 'Ëuta, e tusa e sefuluono ona tausaga.

Na taunu'u loa lenei 'auali'i i ö lä 'äiga, säuniuni loa ä lä'ua mea fagota. Säuni matatao, pa'umeme'i, mata, va'alama ma le mölï kesi. Ina 'ua 'uma 'aiga o le afiafi sä lë va'ai atu lava le tamä o 'Ëuta 'iä 'Ëuta. Ona fai atu lea o le toeaina i lana fänau läiti e ö i tua 'i le faleo'o e va'ai po'o iai 'Ëuta. Pe 'aiseä 'ua lë sau ai i le lotu ma lë sau fo'i e 'ai. Sä tämomo'e loa tamaiti 'i le faleo'o ma lä va'aia ai 'Ëuta o lo'o fa'ama'ai lana matatao.

"'Euta, faimai tamä pë aiseä 'ua 'ë lë alu atu ai 'i le lotu o le afiafi ma 'ë lë alu atu ai e 'ai?"

"Ö ia e fai ni ä 'oulua meaä'oga ma fai 'iä Tamä o lea e säuni lä mä'ua lamatofu ma Söfeni," o le tali lea a 'Ëuta i nai ona tei.

Sä taufetuli loa tamaiti ma ta'u 'iä Tamä le pogai 'ua lë alu atu ai 'Ëuta 'i le lotu afiafi ma lë alu atu ai e 'ai. E lë'i 'umi lava 'ae fa'alogo atu loa 'Ëuta o taufönö mai Söfeni mai le 'auala. O le taimi fo'i lea tusa 'ua tä tonu nei le iva i le pö. 'Ua 'ämata fo'i ona suasua mai le tai. Savali atu loa 'Ëuta ma 'avatu ana mea fägota. Sä talatalanoa si 'auali'i po'o fea se 'ogäsami e lelei i le lamatofu. Fa'apea atu loa 'Ëuta,

"'Ou te iloa le 'ogäsami lelei, sä mätou lama ai ma le uso o lo'u tamä i le tasi pö o le vaiaso lea na te'a atu nei."

"O fea?" o le fesili lea a Söfeni.

"Gätai tonu ifo lava o le tolotolo o Matäutu." o le tali lea a 'Ëuta.

"Tä ö, e fetaui lava le tä taunu'u atu ma le sua tutu'i o le tai." o le tala lea a Söfeni.

Na taunu' u atu loa le 'auali'i fai loa sinä lä'ua mälöloga la'itiiti ona fa'ato'ä säuni ai lea o lö lä'ua faiva. Sä tutu muamua e Söfeni le mölï kesi 'ae o ta'oto'oto 'Ëuta.

"Sau ia tä ö, o lea 'ua mumü mälosi le mölï ma 'ua sua tetele fo'i la tai." o le tala lea a Söfeni 'iä 'Ëuta. Sä taufaifufulu loa mata fägota a le 'auali'i. Na fa'amau lelei lö lä'ua mölï kesi i le va'alama, fa'apënä fo'i ma le 'apa e tu'u 'i ai ni i' a pe'ä maua.

"'Ua 'ë säuni?" o le fesili lea a Söfeni 'iä 'Ëuta.

"Së, 'ua setala'iau ona 'ou säuni, o lea 'ou te fa'atalitali atu 'iä te 'oe." o le tali lea a 'Ëuta.

Sä totofu loa le 'auali'i i le sami ma 'ämata loa lä lä'ua lama. Na' a' au i le itü e pito i le ä'au Söfeni 'a e 'a'au i le itü e pito i le matäfaga 'Ëuta ma toso atu le va'alama. Sä alualu mälie lava le faiva o si 'auali'i ma sä tele ni ä lä'ua i a sä maua, talu ai le poto o le fana a Söfeni.

"Oi Söfeni, o lea 'ua tau lë ofi le 'apa 'ua tumu i i'a." o le tala lea a 'Ëuta

"Tä ö ifo lä'ititi i luma ona ä'e lea o le tä lama." o le tali lea a Söfeni.

"Oi! e iai le fa'amoegä ula lenä e i luma atu e mäsani ona 'ou äsia pe'ä mätou ömai e lama ma le uso o lo'u tamä." o le fa'aopoopo atu lea a 'Ëuta.

Sä iloa lelei lava e 'Ëuta le mea o lo'o iai le fa'amoegä ula. Na lä'ua latalata atu loa 'i ai tofu loa 'Ëuta 'i lalo e asi le fa'amoegä 'ua 'a e galo le va'alama. Sä tofu atu fo'i ma Söfeni 'i lalo e va' ai le fa'amoegä ula. 'Ua te'i Söfeni e taunu'u atu 'i lalo 'ua tü le matatao a 'Ëuta i le ula 'ae o lo'o 'u'u leisi ula i lona lima. Sä tautilotilo loa Söfeni i totonu o le pü e va' ai po'o iai ni isi ula. 'Ae 'ua alu a'e ma le 'ätoa 'i luga 'Ëtua ma ana ula e lua. E taunu'u a' e 'i luga 'Ëuta 'ua tafea 'ese atu le va'alama. Sä 'a'au fa'avave atu loa 'Ëuta e toso mai le va'a. Na 'a'au lava o ia ma 'ave ana ula sä maua. O le taimi fo'i lenä 'ua alu a' e 'i luga Söfeni ma ni ana ia fo'i ula e lua. 'Ua te'i Söfeni i le taunu'u a' e ma le va'ai atu o lo'o tau 'a'au atu 'Ëuta 'i le va'alama. Ona 'a'au lëmü atu lea o Söfeni ma fa'atatau e taunu' u ifo 'Euta ma le va' alama ona tu'u lea 'i ai o ana ula sä maua. O le taimi fo'i lea 'ua lä taunu'u tonu ai 'i le 'ogäsami o lo'o iai le pala. 'Ua tetele fo'i le 'a'ave (current) o le sami. Na taunu' u atu 'Ëuta ma maua mai le va'alama ma taumafai e togi ana ula 'i totonu o le 'apa. Tago loa o ia 'ua toso mai le va'alama ma toe taliu atu loa 'iä Söfeni. Sä tau vala'au atu Söfeni 'iä 'Ëuta ma faiatu lana tala e fa'avave mai 'ua oso lona ma'alili. 'Ae leai lava se tali a ' Ëuta na o le taumafai lava e 'a'au atu e fa'afetaui Söfeni ma toso atu le va'alama. Na taunu'u atu loa 'Ëuta 'iä Söfeni, lä taufai'a'au loa lea ma toso le va'alama aga'i 'i uta o le'ä ä'e lä lä'ua lama.

Na fiafia tele 'Ëuta ona o le tele o ä lä'au i'a na maua, ma oso ona mäfaufauga i le o le'ä fiafia lona tamä 'iä te ia talu ai lona fägota lelei. Ma o le'ä moe fo'i o ia i le aso 'ätoa ma lë alu ai 'i le ma' umaga. Sä tele ona mäfaufauga mimita na o'o ifo i lona mafaufau ona o le tele o i' a o lö lä'au faiva.

"'Ua oso mai lo'u fiainu i se ipu koko 'ua tu' u 'i ai se pe'epe'e ma suamalie lelei." o le tala lea a 'Ëuta 'i lana uö. 'Ae oso atu le tala a Söfeni ma faiatu.

"Fa'avave mai lau 'a'au ma tülei mai le va'a." E lë'i 'umi lava 'ae fa'alogoina loa e 'Ëuta le ma'ini o lona lima taumatau. Ma'ini peisea'ï 'ua tuia i se nila. Sä lë amana'ia e 'Ëuta le mea 'ua tupu i lona lima talu ai le tosoina o le va'alama ma tau 'a'au. Na latalata atu loa i le matafaga faiatu loa 'Ëuta 'iä Söfeni e fesoasoani atu i le si'iina o le va'alama i luga 'i le pa'umätü. Sä lagona e 'Ëuta lona lima 'ua 'ämata ona gase, ma le tilotilo atü o 'Ëuta o lo'o tafe mai le 'ele'ele (toto) mai lona lima ma 'ua lë mafai ona talitali le tïgä tele. Sä nofo ifo loa i lalo 'Ëuta ma 'u'u lona lima ma uiö ona o le tïgä.

"Tü i luga, tä ö e sä'ili se mea e togafiti ai lou lima." o le fa'atonuga lea a Söfeni ma tago atu 'ua tatala 'ese mai le 'apa i'a ma le mölï kesi mai le va'alama. Sä alu fa'avave loa le sävaliga a le 'auali'i e sä'ili se mea e togafiti ai le lima o 'Ëuta.

"Fa'avave mai lau savali." o le tala fa'anatinati atu lea a Söfeni i si ana uö. Sa fa'alogoina e Söfeni lona vaivai ma le ma'alili 'ae sä le fa'avaivai ona o lona alofa ma lona naunau e sä'ili se mea e togafiti ai le lima o 'Ëuta. 'Ua mamao 'ese atu le mea na ä'e ane i ai lö lä'ua faiva, mai le mea 'ua lä taunu'u nei 'i ai. Na lä iloa atu le mumü mai o se mölï e mamao 'ese atu ma 'ilä'ua.

"Fa'avave mai lau savali." o le tala lea a Söfeni.

Ina 'ua lä latalata atu 'i le mea o lo'o mumü mai ai le mölï, na lä va' aia se fale papälagi vali pa'epa'e.

"Ou te masalo o le fale lea o le ulugälii föma'i papälagi lea na 'ou fa'alogo o lo'o nonofo i se vaimea o i nei," o le fa'amatalaga lea a Söfeni.

"Pei lava e sa'o ä 'oe, na 'ou fa'alogo fo'i i ni tala faimai o lo'o faiä'oga 'uma 'ilä'ua i le kölisi fou lä e tü i le vä o Sale'imoa ma Utuali'i," o le fa'aopoopo atu lea a 'Ëuta ma si ona leo 'ua tau lë lagona ona o le 'o'ono i le tïgä o lona lima.

Sä moni lava mäfaufauga o si 'auali'i. O le ulugali'i o lo 'o nonofo i lea fale o föma'i 'uma 'ilä'ua. O le fafine o le föma'i o le tino, 'a'o lona to'alua o le föma'i o le mäfaufau. O le suafa o le ali'i o Teoni 'a'o lana ävä o Murila.

I afiafi ta'itasi e mäsani lava le ali'i föma'i o Teoni ona faitau tusi pe'ä manava atu, mai lana galuega. A lë o lea e muamua lava ona ia fa'asüsü ana lä'au totö ma talatalanoa ma si ana ävä o Murila.

I le tagitagi o 'älisi i le afiafi o lea aso na säuni ai e 'ilä'ua ni sanuisi mo lä lä'ua 'aiga o le afiafi. Ina 'ua uma lä lä'ua 'aiga o le afiafi sä faitau le tusi a Teoni 'ae o lo'o tapena e Murila le umukuka. I le taimi 'ua tusa 'ua tä le sefulu i le pö, na alu ai Teoni e fai sina mälölöga. I lenä lava fo'i taimi 'ua mänaia le leai o se pisa po'o se pa'ö e toe fa'alogoina. Mänaia le osooso ifo o le mäsina i tafatafa'ilagi ma le leo mälie mai o peau o le sami i lö lätou fefatia'i. I le mälü o le pö, na ta'oto loa Teoni i lona moega na lë toe fa'atali loa, sä fai loa lana mälölöga.

Sä moe o ia e pei o se tagata e lë'i moe i ni aso e tele. Sä moegase fo'i ma si ana ävä o Murila. I le tülua o pö ma ao tusa 'ua tä le lua i le vaveao, o le taimi fo'i lea 'ua 'ämata ona fa'atöfä atu le mäsina i le lalolagi 'ae 'ua toeitiiti taunu'u mai le malaga a le lä. 'A'o mälie ma solosolo lelei le moe a Teoni 'ae toe fa'ate'iina ona o se pä'o o lo'o pä'o mai ai le faitoto'a o lö lä'ua fale. Sä te'i valevale ifo i luga Teoni ma fesili atu.

"Who is that?" Peita'i sä lëai se tagata na tali atu i lana fesili. Na tüla'i atu loa Teoni ma savali atu 'i le faitoto'a. Na ia tatala le faitoto'a ma sä segaia ona mata i le mumü a se mölï.

O Teoni o se ali'i loto fesoasoani i tagata. Na ia fesili atu loa i le gagana fa'aPeretania ma fa'apea atu,

"Yes, what can I do for you?" Sä na ona tü o Söfeni ma pupula taula'i atu 'iä Teoni. Na toe fesili atu fo'i Teoni i le fesili lava lea e tasi. Na tali atu Söfeni, ae na o le tasi lava le 'upu na ia fa'aaogäina. "Fish"

"What fish?" o le fesili lea a Teoni. Pau lava le tali a Söfeni o le, "Fish" ma fa'asino lona lima 'iä 'Ëuta o lo'o nofo i luga o le simä o le 'auala äga'i i le fale o Teoni ma Murila. Na pupula atu Teoni i le itü na faasino 'i ai le lima o Söfeni ma ia iloa atu le lima o 'Ëuta o lo'o toto.

"What have you done to your hand?" Sä löai se tasi o le 'auali'i na tali atu i le fesili a Teoni. Sä toe fesili atu Teoni fa'apea,

"What happened?"

"Fish." o le tali tau lë lagona lea a Söfeni. Na te'i mai i luga Murila ma savali atu 'i le faitoto'a ma na ia iloa atu le tama o lo'o tü mai ma lona lima o lo'o toto. Sä ia lë toe fa'atali loa. Na ia fa'avave atu 'i le umukuka ma fa'atumu le tïtata i vai ma fa'ati'eti'e i le 'ogäumu kalasini.

"Come inside," ma fa'asino atu le lima o Teoni i tama e ömai i totonu o le fale. Na ö atu le 'auali'i i totonu ma tutü i talaane o le faitoto'a 'ae savali atu Teoni 'i le umukuka. E taunu' u atu Teoni 'ae o lo'o tü mai Murila ma fa'atalitali se'i vevela le vai ona 'aumai lea e togafiti ai le lima o 'Ëuta. Na ömai fa'atasi Murila ma Teoni äga'i 'i le mea o lo'o tutü ai Söfeni ma 'Ëuta, ona faiatu lea o Murila 'iä Teoni e tago e fufulu muamua 'ese le 'ele'ele (toto) mai le lima o 'Ëuta. Na alu Murila 'i totonu o le potu ma 'aumai se tama'i pusa (first aide kit). Ona ia 'avane lea o se fasi kosi mai le pusa ma fa'asusü i le vai vevela ma tu'u atu 'i le lima o 'Ëuta. Na tu'u tonu lava i le mea o lo'o sau ai le 'ele'ele. Ona tago lea o Murila ma fa'avä tele le lavea o le lima o 'Ëuta ma ia iloa atu ai se ivi o iai i totonu.

"There's a bone in the wound." o le tala lea a murila.

"A bone!" o le fesili lea a Teoni.

"Yeah! It looks like a fish bone." Sä na ona lue o le ulu o Teoni ma manatu i le 'upu na tali atu ai Söfeni i le taimi na ia tatalaina ai le faitoto'a.

"Give me the scissors please." o le tala atu lea a Murila i lona to'alua. Sä tu'u atu e Teoni le seleulu mai le pusa. Na fa'aaogä e Murila le seleulu e se' i ai i fafo le ivi mai le lima o 'Ëuta. Sä na ona 'o'ono lava o 'Ëuta i le tïgä tele. Na toe fufulu mama e Murila le lavea ma tu'u 'i ai se vailä'au lanu mümü ma fusi i se fasi kosi.

"Finished." o le tala lea a Murila. Ona o le lëai o se tasi o lenei 'auali'i na mafai ona tautala i le gagana fa'aPeretania na ala ai ona lä'ua fa'afetai atu ai i le gagana Sämoa.

"Fa'afetai tele lava." o le tala lea a Söfeni ma lä'ua sävavali loa i fafo. Na fa'atöfä atu Murila ma Teoni i le gagana Sämoa 'auä e faigofie ona manatua le 'upu töfä. Sä alu loa le sävaliga a lenei 'auali'i 'i ö lä'ua 'äiga. Na tutü lenei ulügali'i ma tilotilo atu i tama o sävali 'ese atu. Na mulimuli atu lava lä lä'ua va'ai i le mumü a le mölï kesi se'ia o'o lava ina 'ua lilo 'ese atu. Ona toe taliu atu lea o lenei ulügali'i älolofa 'ua toe fai lä lä'ua mälologa i nai itülä o le pö o lo'o totoe. 'A 'ua taunu'u ma le fiafia Söfeni ma 'Ëuta 'i ö lä'ua 'äiga.

SAMOANS BOND WITH THE SEA

In 1768, a French navigator was sailing in an expedition around the world, came upon a fleet of outrigger canoes, and he thought they were heading to some faraway places. But actually, the men in those outrigger canoes were on a fishing trip. They were fishing for "aku", a kind of tuna called "bonito". So the French navigator named the islands from which those fishermen came, the "Navigators Islands". It was the name given to the Samoan Islands.

Later, he realized the people living there must be excellent navigators, for they had safely found their way across thousands of miles of lonely, dangerous seas long before modern navigational instruments had been invented. He was amazed, too, that the Samoan people were able to accomplish this great feat in small canoes.

Today, the ocean continues to play an important part in the lives of the Samoan people. Living on islands surrounded by ocean, most of the people live near the shore.

Samoans are known throughout the Pacific Ocean as very skilled fishermen. Samoans have developed many different ways to catch fish. Some of these ways are: mümölï (night fishing, using a lantern, canoe and a hook and line in deep ocean), lamatofu (night diving), lamasavali (night torching - using machetes, walking on the reef when lowtide), tosopä (early morning - dawn, same as mümölï), taumalau (standing on the reef with a fishing pole when lowtide and full moon), and many more. The ocean is a major resource for the Samoans' everyday diet, providing important protein from fish.

THE STING RAY LEAVES ITS SPINE BEHIND

The sting ray is very different from other sea animals. The sting ray looks like a beautiful bird in the water when it swims. As it swims along in the water, its large fins move up and down like the wings of a flying bird.

These large fins are useful to the sting ray, for they are used to catch fish. When the sting ray gets near a school of small fish, it flaps its mighty fins, hitting many of the fish. The fish that are hit are dizzy and unable to swim away, and then the sting ray has an easy fish dinner.

Sting rays live in shallow ocean waters that have muddy or sandy bottoms, and are often found in bays where fresh water enters the ocean. One place like this in Samoa is the area between Vaiusu and the Peninsula of Mulinu'u on the island of 'Upolu in Western Samoa. When the sting ray is on the ocean floor, it can catch crabs and lobsters which may be crawling along the ocean floor. The sting ray can take a whole lobster or crab into its mouth, chew it up, swallow the meat, and then spit out the shell and sand.

The sting ray also likes to bury itself on the floor of the ocean because it can hide from its enemies. Its color blends in with the color of the sandy or muddy ocean floor, and when enemies swim by, they can't see the sting ray hiding.

What happens if the sting ray is in danger? The sting ray has a long tail, and on this tail is a poisonous spine. This poisonous spine is almost as dangerous as a poisonous snakebite. The sting ray will only use its spine when it is endangered, but swimmers need to be careful. If a swimmer accidentally disturbs a sting ray, it will swing its tail and hit the swimmer with its spine, causing a painful wound.

Samoans call this dangerous spine the "foto" and in Samoan, there is the saying, "Ua sola le fai 'ae tu'u le foto," which means that when someone has done something good or bad, he or she leaves, but the memories still live on. This refers to the painful wound left by the spine of the sting ray. Our story focuses on the effects of the sting ray's poisonous spine.

A BOY NEEDS HELP

Perhaps the most common scene in every Samoan village in the afternoon is seeing children playing marbles, young men playing cricket at the village malae, young women playing volleyball, and the old folks sitting around in front of a Samoan fale (house) talking and laughing.

One evening, the village bell rang, signaling to everyone that they were supposed to be in their houses, and the people began to disappear into their homes for evening family prayers. Two young men decided to go on a night diving fishing trip. One of the two was about twenty years old, and his name was Söfeni. The other one was about sixteen years old and his name was 'Ëuta. They agreed to meet at about nine o'clock that night prepared to go night diving, and then they went home. When Söfeni reached home, he did not participate in his family's evening prayer, and 'Ëuta didn't join his family either. As soon as 'Ëuta arrived home, he started to prepare his fishing gear. He sharpened his spear, made sure his sling shot was good, and had his face mask ready. Söfeni prepared a small raft, put on the can where the fish would be stored, and then filled the Coleman gasoline lantern. After 'Ëuta's family had their evening prayer and their evening meal, 'Ëuta's father missed seeing 'Ëuta in the house. The father sent two little ones to see if 'Ëuta was in the faleo'o (small hut behind the big house) and see why he did not show up for the evening prayer and dinner. The two little ones ran to the faleo'o and found 'Ëuta sharpening his spear.

"'Ëuta, Papa wants to know why you didn't come for the evening prayer and dinner?" said one of the boys.

"Go do some school work and tell Papa I'm preparing to go night diving with Söfeni," answered 'Ëuta.

The little ones ran back to the big house and told Papa what 'Ëuta had said. Not too long passed when 'Ëuta heard Söfeni calling from the road. It was about nine o'clock at night, arid the tide was beginning to get high. 'Ëuta got up and took his fishing gear and went to meet Söfeni. They talked and decided where they'd begin their fishing trip.

"I know a really good place for night diving. We went there about a week ago with my uncle," said 'Ëuta.

"Where?" asked Söfeni.

"Just a little off the Peninsular of Mulinu'u," answered 'Ëuta.

"Okay, let's go. By the time we arrive, the tide should be just right."

When they arrived at the area, they first sat down and rested. Söfeni lit the Coleman lantern while ''Ëuta was lying down on the sand.

"Come, let's go.' The tide's high now," urged Söfeni.

They tied the lantern to the raft and put the raft in the water. Söfeni held on to the raft while they were washing their face masks.

"Are you ready?" asked Söfeni.

"Yes, I'm waiting for you," answered 'Ëuta.

They both dove in the water and started their night diving fishing trip. Söfeni swam about on the one side of the raft, and 'Ëuta swam on the other side leaving the light of the lantern to shine freely in front of the raft so they could see the fishes.

After some time, they'd covered a large area of water, and they'd caught plenty of fish. Söfeni was certainly a good fisherman especially in night diving. He was the one who speared most of the fish that filled up the can on the raft.

"Söfeni, the can can't hold anymore fish, it's really full!" said 'Ëuta.

"Oh, let's go forward a little bit more before we go back to the beach," replied Söfeni.

"Oh! Yeah, I know where there's a hole where we can find lobsters. I usually check it out when I night dive with my uncle," added 'Ëuta.

When they found the spot, 'Ëuta dove to the bottom, letting the raft loose thinking Söfeni would hold on to it. Söfeni didn't realize this and he too, dove after 'Ëuta. When he reached the bottom, 'Ëuta had a lobster in his hand and one on his spear. Söfeni went to look inside the hole, and 'Ëuta came back up. When 'Ëuta reached the surface of the water, he saw the raft floating away from them. He didn't wait, he swam after the raft. When Söfeni came back up, he saw 'Ëuta swimming after the drifting raft. Söfeni stayed afloat waiting for 'Ëuta to bring the raft back, being careful not to lose the two lobsters he had caught.

When 'Ëuta reached the raft, he threw his two lobsters inside the can and started back with the raft. Söfeni yelled at 'Ëuta to hurry back with the raft. 'Ëuta was unable to answer back. He was just concentrating on pulling the raft and trying to swim against the ocean currents. The currents there were so strong even the best swimmers found it very difficult to swim against them. 'Ëuta struggled to move his body and the raft against the powerful currents.

When 'Ëuta reached Söfeni, he was very tired. Söfeni quickly threw his two lobsters in the can and then reached out to help 'Ëuta pull the raft towards the beach.

STING RAY STRUCK 'EUTA WITH ITS TAIL

'Ëuta was very relieved that he'd finally reached Söfeni. He was also happy knowing his Papa would be proud of him because of all the fish he caught. He told himself he'd sleep all day because he was so tired.

"Hey! Söfeni, I want a teakettle filled with fresh homemade hot cocoa and coconut milk," said 'Ëuta to Söfeni, with his heart filled with happy thoughts.

"Just hurry up and pull the raft to the beach," answered Söfeni.

As they were nearing shore, 'Ëuta felt a sting on his left hand. It stung as if a needle had just poked him. Not paying much attention to it, he kept on swimming and pulling the raft. As they reached the shallow water, 'Ëuta asked Söfeni to help him pull the raft on to the beach. 'Ëuta's hand was beginning to hurt more and more. When he looked down, he was surprised to see blood coming out of his hand. He walked up to the beach, dropped down on the sand and let out a moan. He couldn't remember feeling any pain like this one.

Söfeni managed to pull the raft out of the water by himself, then looking around for 'Ëuta, saw him bent over on the beach. Söfeni suddenly realized 'Ëuta was hurt! He went over, kneeled down and gently examined 'Ëuta's hand. "Get up! Let's go find something to help your hand," ordered Söfeni.

Söfeni untied the lantern from the raft, grabbed the can filled with fish and headed towards the village to find help.

"Walk fast," said Söfeni to 'Ëuta.

Söfeni felt very tired and cold, but he knew he couldn't rest because he had to find help for his partner. The village was far away, and they had to keep walking in the dark. At last, they saw a light and Söfeni said to 'Ëuta "Hurry."

As they came closer to the place where the light was, they saw a big palagi house.

"I think this is the house of that couple; they both are doctors. I heard they're living around here," said Söfeni.

"Yes, maybe. I heard something about two teachers at the new college between Sale'imoa and Utuali'i ," answered 'Ëuta. His voice could hardly be heard because his hand was very painful.

They were right. The couple living in the house were both doctors. The woman Muriel, was a medical doctor and her husband, Tony, was a psychologist every evening when Tony would get home after work, he'd always read a book, or perhaps water his plants around the house.

Some evenings he'd just sit down and talk with his wife.

When Tony got home from work that day, he just watered his plants and talked with his wife Muriel. They also prepared sandwiches for dinner. After dinner Tony sat in the living room and read his book while his wife cleaned the kitchen. At about ten o'clock that night Tony and Muriel went to bed. At that time, there was almost no sound heard throughout the village. The moon's face was peeping above the horizon, saying hello to the dark earth. The sound of the waves of the blue Pacific Ocean brought peace. The breeze of the trade winds silenced Tony and put him to sleep as soon as he slipped into bed. Tony slept like a baby. Muriel slept like a soldier who hadn't slept for many days.

It was long after midnight when the moon was about to say goodbye to the part of the earth, and the sun was about to say Talofa (hello). The doctors were sleeping soundly when a loud noise awakened them. Someone was knocking on their door. Tony quickly got out of bed and asked, "Who is that?" No one answered. Tony stood up and started to the door. He opened the door and a bright light from outside struck his sleepy eyes. He put up his hand to block the light from hitting his eyes!

"Yes, what can I do for you?" Tony asked the two boys in English. Tony always wanted to be of help when he could. No one answered. Söfeni just stood there and looked straight at Tony. The doctor asked the same question again.

"Fish," answered Söfeni.

"What fish?" asked Tony.

Söfeni again replied, "Fish," and pointed to 'Ëuta. The doctor looked at 'Euta and saw him holding his hand with blood dripping from it.

"What have you done to your hand?" the doctor asked 'Ëuta. They just looked at Tony with no answer.

"What happened?" again the doctor asked.

The two fellows couldn't understand the palagi doctor. Söfeni's only response was to just say "Fish", again and point to his partner's hand.

Muriel now standing behind her husband, saw 'Ëuta's hand covered with blood. She didn't wait or ask any questions. She hurried and filled the teakettle with water and put it on the kerosene stove.

"Come inside," commanded Tony as he showed the boys through the door by stretching out his right hand. The boys stood next to the door inside the house while Tony went into the kitchen. When he went into the kitchen, Tony saw his wife waiting for the water to be boiled. When the water was ready, Muriel told Tony to wash the blood off from 'Euta's hand while she got the first aid kit.

Muriel sat down, gently took 'Ëuta's hand, opened the wound and saw a bone in it. She reached into the first aid kit and brought out a piece of cloth and dipped it into the hot water. She used the wet cloth to clean the wound again. When the hot cloth touched 'Ëuta's hand, he closed his eyes and made faces indicating the water was too hot, and was burning his hand.

"There's a bone in the wound," said Muriel.

"A bone?" asked her surprised husband.

"Yes, a bone. It looks like a fishbone, said Muriel.

Tony just nodded his head with agreement to what his wife said, and he was also thinking of the word "fish" Söfeni told him when he first saw the boys outside.

"Please give me the scissors," said Muriel to her husband.

Tony handed her the scissors, and Muriel used them to pull the bone out of the wound. 'Ëuta just held his breath and made no sound, just inhaling the pain.

"Finished," said Muriel.

She wrapped the wound with another piece of cloth with some red medicine on it. The boys did not know how to thank Muriel and Tony in English, so Söfeni told them thank you in Samoan.

"Fa'afetai tele lava," said Söfeni. (Thank you very much.)

The boys said Tofa (Goodbye) to Tony and Muriel, and headed back home. As they departed from the couple's house, the doctors stood there in front of their home and watched the two boys as the lantern flame disappeared in the darkness.

Tony and Muriel returned to bed to await the arrival of the morning sun. Söfeni and 'Ëuta each arrived home, very tired and ready for sleep.