Kakariki - by Alex

*We are learning to write a 'narrative' and read a Maori legend that explained the colour of the Kaka parrot's feathers under his wings.  We then had a go at re-writing it in our own words.  We have learnt heaps about the features of a successful narrative.  Alex has got lots of these in his story...

Long ago in the bus there was a bird named Kakariki.  He had red feathers.  He liked them a lot and he showed off his feathers to the other birds.  Kaka, another bird in the bush, was jealous of Kakariki’s feathers because he had dusty brown feathers.  So Kaka tricked Kakariki into thinking that the other birds hated the red feathers on Kakariki’s body.  Kakariki believed Kaka and asked how to get them off.  “Ah,: said Kaia, “I will hide them under my wings so nobody will see them.”  “Thank you Kaka,” said Kakariki.  “What would I do without you?” said Kakariki.  So Kakariki gave Kaka the feathers and Kaka hid them under his wings.  Kakariki scuttled into the bus.. As he did, he peeked out of the bush and saw Kaka showing off his feathers.  Later bright green feathers replaced the red feathers but Kakariki still said to Kaka, “Kaka give back my feathers!” Still today, he flies through the bush chanting, “Kaka give back my feathers!”  But still he doesn’t have them.