Long ago in Tonga, before the time of chiefs and great canoes, the land lay under a cruel sun. The sky was cloudless for many moons, the rivers had turned to dry beds of stone, and the taro fields cracked like old pottery. The people prayed at the shore, calling to the gods for rain, but their voices seemed swallowed by the empty sky.
In the village of Falevai, there lived an old woman named Mele. She was small and bent, but her heart was full of patience. One morning, while walking along the reef searching for shellfish, she found a turtle stranded in a shallow rock pool. Its shell was scarred, and its eyes were tired from the heat.
“Ah, poor one,” Mele said, lifting the creature gently into the water. “Go, and may the sea heal you.”
Rain Keeper
The turtle, to her surprise, spoke. “Kind woman, you have freed me, and in return I will bring you what your people need most. But you must trust me.”
The next day, as the sun blazed hotter than ever, the turtle returned to the shore. “Mele,” it said, “I must journey to the far horizon where Tangaloa, the god of the sea and sky, keeps the rain in great jars. Only I may pass through the guardians of his reef. But I will need a gift from you, something that carries your spirit.”
Mele thought for a moment, then untied the woven pandanus mat she had slept on for years. “Take this. It has held my dreams. Let it remind Tangaloa of the love of my people.”
The turtle swam away, carrying the mat on its back. It passed through coral gates guarded by sharp-toothed fish, crossed deep trenches where the water turned black, and finally reached the island where Tangaloa sat upon a throne of pearl.
The turtle bowed and placed the mat before the god. “This comes from the heart of a woman who saved me,” it said. “Her people are thirsty, their land is dying. I beg you, release the rain.”
Tangaloa studied the mat, tracing the patterns with his hand. He remembered Mele’s kindness in the old stories told by the wind. Without a word, he lifted the lids from his great jars, and clouds poured into the sky like freed birds.
Rain at last
Back in Tonga, the people looked up in awe as the first drops fell. The earth drank deeply, the rivers ran again, and green returned to the taro fields. The villagers danced in the rain, singing Mele’s name and the story of the turtle who had crossed the sea for them.
From that day on, whenever a turtle swam into the reef, the people would offer it food and safe passage. They knew that kindness travels far and may one day return as life-saving rain.
Moral / Life Lesson:
The story of The Turtle Who Brought Rain teaches that small acts of kindness can bring blessings far beyond what we expect. When we give from the heart, the spirit of gratitude moves through the world and may one day return to save us in our time of need.
Knowledge Check
- What is the moral of the folktale “The Turtle Who Brought Rain”?
The story teaches that kindness and generosity can lead to blessings that return when most needed. - What cultural group does the tale “The Turtle Who Brought Rain” come from?
This folktale originates from the Tongan tradition in Oceania. - Why did the turtle travel to Tangaloa?
In the tale, the turtle traveled to Tangaloa to ask for rain for the people who had saved its life. - How does the folktale “The Turtle Who Brought Rain” explain the arrival of rain?
The story offers a traditional explanation that rain comes from the god Tangaloa, who releases it from great jars when moved by acts of kindness. - Is “The Turtle Who Brought Rain” considered a trickster tale, ghost story, or moral fable?
“The Turtle Who Brought Rain” is a moral fable, reflecting the values of kindness, gratitude, and respect for nature. - How is this folktale relevant to modern readers?
The message of “The Turtle Who Brought Rain” remains relevant as it encourages helping others without expecting reward, knowing that good deeds can return in unexpected ways.
Cultural Origin: This folktale comes from the oral tradition of the Tongan people of Oceania.
