Kaka Legend. Long long ago when Tane was creating the forests there was a small bird called kaka. Kaka was a strange bird. He was bright red all over. The birds would tease kaka about his bright red plumage. Kaka would then walk off by himself and cry. Tane knew of the other birds teasing kaka. He did not wish for his birds to be unhappy so he decided to do something to cheer kaka up. Tane found Kaka crying in a corner of the forest. “Kaka why are you so sad? “ Tane asked “Tui, bellbird and kea were teasing me. They call me sunburn” kaka replied choking back the tears, “ I actually like my bright red colours, I just don’t like getting teased” “ Well Kaka I know just what to do with you” Tane smiled “ I will give you the power of flight, you will fly up over the trees and the green leaves will give you a new green plumage , however you will keep the red under you wings so you can hide them from the others ! And as for the teasing ill deal with that”. And Tane was off. Kaka smiled to himself .Tane had just given the power of flighty. He bravely walked up to tui, bellbird and kea and said “ I’m sick of your teasing but when you see me next Ill be the one laughing” Kaka flapped his wings half expecting to stay on the forest floor . But next thing he knew he was flying high above the trees. He darted trough the clouds, sprang through the tress and as Tane promised the beautiful green from the trees stuck to kaka. Kaka flew above the forest darting between trees and bushes. Tui, bellbird and kea looked up astonished at the sight. Kaka landed on a branch above the other birds. kaka chuckled as he flew off once again. Kaka was too busy to notice Tane talking to the birds “Kea your punishment is being banished to the mountains where you will live forever, and tui and bell bird your punishment is that you may only sing before dusk when kaka is still sleeping” All was well for kaka up until a few weeks later. Kaka had a request for Tane. “Tane I appreciate you giving me the power of flight and my life in the tree tops is great but I have a problem. My beak is not long or sharp enough to get the grubs from the beech trees. Will you change it for me? “ Tane thought for a moment and then replied “yes kaka I will give you a long sharp beak. I will also give you sharp claws to hang onto the tree while eating. The last thing I will give you is a brushed tongue to help you lick the grubs off the tree.” “Oh thank you Tane” replied kaka.
So till this day kaka still have red under their wings, a brushed tongue, a long sharp beak, sharp claws, and live in the trees with the power of flight.
Written by Mikayla lowrey and Mikayla sheddan