Before the island of Tanna wore its crown of smoke, the people lived in a time of endless green. The hills rolled with gardens of yams, the sea was full of fish, and the night sky was a vast canoe of stars. In the centre of the island stood a mountain that was quiet and bare, known to the people as Yasur. It was said that beneath its heart, the gods kept the most powerful fire in the world.
Among the villagers was a young man named Mako, swift of foot and full of laughter. He loved Lina, a woman whose beauty was like morning light on the ocean. They planned to marry after the yam harvest, but one season brought no rain. The gardens withered, the streams ran dry, and the wind carried the smell of dying earth. The elders said the gods had turned away their faces.
The god of Fire
In a dream, the old priestess saw the god of fire, Tamanu, rise from the depths of the mountain. He spoke with a voice like cracking wood: “Bring me an offering of greatest love, or I will burn your island to ash.” The people trembled. What could be greater than food or shell treasures? The priestess knew the answer but kept her eyes down, for the truth was heavy.
When Mako heard the dream, he understood at once. Love itself was the price. That night, he took Lina by the hand and led her to the base of Mount Yasur. The ground was warm under their feet. “The gods ask for what is dearest,” Mako told her. “If I go, you will live. If we do nothing, all will perish.” Tears fell from Lina’s eyes, but she did not stop him. She knew his spirit burned as fiercely as the fire below.
A life for Fire
Mako climbed the slope until the air tasted of metal and smoke. The wind tore at his hair, and a deep red light pulsed from a crack in the earth. Standing at the edge, he called to Tamanu. “Here is my life, given for my people.” With that, he leapt into the chasm. The mountain roared like a drum beaten by a thousand hands.
From that moment, Mount Yasur erupted with flame and ash, sending molten rivers down its sides. But instead of destruction, the fire warmed the earth, called rain from the clouds, and fed the roots of new gardens. The people gave thanks, though they mourned Mako. They built a stone circle at the mountain’s base, and to this day they bring offerings of kava and flowers, asking the fire god to keep his warmth gentle.
It is said that sometimes, on the edge of the crater, a figure appears through the smoke, his eyes glowing like embers, watching over the land. The elders say it is Mako, still guarding the fire he gave his life to awaken.
Moral / Life Lesson:
The story of The Fire of Mount Yasur teaches that true love is measured in sacrifice and that the greatest gifts often come from acts of selflessness. It also reminds us that the powers of nature are both dangerous and life-giving, deserving respect and gratitude.
Knowledge Check
- What is the moral of the folktale “The Fire of Mount Yasur”?
The story teaches that true love and selflessness can protect and sustain a community, even at the cost of great personal sacrifice. - What cultural group does the tale “The Fire of Mount Yasur” come from?
This folktale originates from the Vanuatu tradition in Oceania. - Why did Mako climb Mount Yasur?
In the tale, Mako climbed the mountain to offer his life to the fire god Tamanu so that his people might be spared from famine and destruction. - How does the folktale “The Fire of Mount Yasur” explain the volcano’s origin?
The story says that the eruption of Mount Yasur began when Mako leapt into its heart, awakening the fire god’s power to warm the earth and bring rain. - Is “The Fire of Mount Yasur” considered a trickster tale, ghost story, or moral fable?
“The Fire of Mount Yasur” is a moral fable and origin myth about sacrifice, divine power, and the balance of nature. - How is this folktale relevant to modern readers?
The message of “The Fire of Mount Yasur” remains relevant as it speaks to the value of selflessness, the importance of protecting one’s community, and the need to respect nature’s forces.
Cultural Origin: This folktale comes from the oral tradition of the people of Vanuatu in Oceania.
