Long ago, when the world breathed with mana and the skies held the whispers of gods, there lived a woman named Hina, a weaver of tapa cloth and daughter of the sacred winds. Her fingers moved like the tide gentle but certain crafting patterns no mortal had seen before. Hina lived in a lush valley wrapped in mist, where waterfalls sang lullabies and flowers bloomed with the scent of stories.
She was beautiful, yes, but it was her mind, sharp and clear like the morning star, that drew the gaze of the gods.
Among those who desired her was Te Tunaroa, the eel god of the underworld rivers. One night, he rose from the dark pools and came to Hina in secret, whispering promises and pressing gifts of jade and black pearls into her hands. At first, she was flattered. But soon his visits turned possessive, and his embrace grew colder than river stone. Hina, a spirit of light and freedom, began to wither.
She sought counsel from the goddess Mahina, keeper of the moon and mistress of change. In her dreams, Mahina spoke: “You are not bound by him. Take the path that rises, not the one that coils.”
When Hina awoke, she knew what she had to do.
Hina makes a choice
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Hina climbed the tallest coconut tree, reaching higher than birds dared to fly. With each step, she chanted words her grandmother taught her, words older than islands:
“‘A’e ‘oe i luna, i luna loa!
Rise, rise to the sacred heights.”
The tree stretched and bent, groaning under the weight of her desire. Just as the last star blinked into the sky, Hina leapt and the moon caught her.
From the shore below, Te Tunaroa slithered and howled, but it was too late. Hina was gone, wrapped in silver light.
Hina on the Moon
On the moon, she built herself a new home. She pounded bark into cloth and hung it like clouds across the sky. The patterns she wove became the craters and shadows we now see. Some nights, if you listen, you can still hear the rhythmic thump of her mallet echoing across the heavens.
But escape is never the end of a tale.
Years passed. The people of the islands began to tell stories of the woman in the moon. They left offerings of white flowers and placed tapa cloths beneath the moonlight, hoping Hina would bless their daughters with the same courage. Fishermen navigating dark waters whispered her name for safe passage. Women whispered her name when they needed strength.
Hina, once hidden in a valley, had become a goddess of her own.
Still, she watched the earth with longing not for what she fled, but for what she protected: the sacred right to choose, to rise, and to transform.
Moral / Life Lesson
This tale teaches that true power lies in the ability to choose one’s own path. Hina’s escape from control and her transformation into a celestial figure remind us that freedom, dignity, and inner strength are sacred. Even in silence, our actions echo across generations. The moon may seem distant, but it carries the story of a woman who rose when the world tried to hold her down.
Knowledge Check
- What is the moral of the folktale “The Legend of Hina and the Moon”?
The story teaches a lesson about self-liberation, inner strength, and transformation, showing that one’s courage can light the way for others. - What cultural group does the tale “The Legend of Hina and the Moon” come from?
This folktale originates from the Polynesian tradition in Oceania, shared among various island cultures such as Tahiti, Hawai‘i, and Samoa. - Why did Hina climb to the moon?
In the tale, Hina climbed to the moon to escape the controlling eel god Te Tunaroa and reclaim her freedom and identity. - How does the folktale “The Legend of Hina and the Moon” explain the moon’s appearance?
The story offers a traditional explanation for the moon’s craters and shadows, said to be the tapa cloths Hina weaves and hangs across the sky. - Is “The Legend of Hina and the Moon” considered a trickster tale, ghost story, or moral fable?
“The Legend of Hina and the Moon” is a moral fable and celestial origin myth that reflects Polynesian values of strength, freedom, and divine femininity. - How is this folktale relevant to modern readers?
The message of “The Legend of Hina and the Moon” remains relevant as it champions the right to escape harmful situations, embrace transformation, and reclaim power.
Origin: This folktale comes from the oral traditions of the Polynesian peoples, including Tahitian, Hawaiian, and Samoan cultures.
