Between Two Worlds
This tamaiti lived in a world that was round. A world that had trees, and grasses, and oceans, and streams, and one little hill.
This tamaiti also lived in a world that was round. A world that had trees, and grasses, and oceans, and streams, and one little hill.
They lived so close to one another, but so far. Two different worlds with no bridge between them.
One day the first tamaiti climbed all the way to the top of their hill. From way up high they noticed the second tamaiti, standing on the top of their own hill. ‘Hey,’ they called. ‘Do you want to play?’
But the second tamaiti just raised their arms and called out at the top of their lungs, ‘How? I can’t reach you.’
Grown-ups lived in their worlds, but none seemed to notice the two tamariki calling to one another, wishing they could play.
The tamariki felt sad. They looked across the black abyss between them.
One day, the first tamaiti had an idea. ‘Hey. Do you have a seed?’
The second tamaiti nodded.
‘Plant it.’
They watched one another as they each took a seed and planted it into the ground.
‘Everyday we water it, OK?’
‘OK.’
Every morning the tamariki would wake, climb their hill, wave to one another, and water their seed.
Slowly but surely, the seeds began to grow. A tiny bud, then a little twig, then one leaf, and then two, and then three.
The tamariki rose each morning to wave and water their seeds until one day the first tamaiti shouted, ‘stop!’
They stepped back to look at their seeds. Two mighty trees now stood.
The first tamaiti called to the second tamaiti, ‘do you have an axe?’
The second tamaiti called, ‘yes.’
‘Chop it down.’
The two tamariki worked hard chopping at their trees and lamented at all that time that it had taken to grow them. They both shed a tear in sadness.
But then, as the trees fell, something wondrous happened. Slowly, they toppled, and slowly they hit one another, and slowly the two trees intertwined into one.
The two tamariki dropped their axes and stepped upon the bridge.
They walked until they finally stood face to face.
‘Hey,’ said the first tamaiti.
‘Hey,’ said the second tamaiti.
