The Ever-Standing Tree: Te Rākau Tū Tonu  
Tim Tipene   Ani Huia Ligaliga

 

The Ever-Standing Tree: Te Rākau Tū Tonu 

Tim Tipene,
Illustrator: Ani Huia Ligaliga
Oratia Books (2024)
Picture book, Illustrated story
Paperback, 32 pages
ISBN 978 1 99004 260 7

 

This picture book is a modern re-telling of a favourite Māori legend (usually known as ‘Rata and the Tōtara Tree.’) It is told in two languages: English and Māori.

In Tim Tipene’s modern-day version, two children are watching their Dad who is improving his backyard’s view by cutting down a large tree. As Dad swings the axe, his son, Waima, argues that the tree is the view. ‘Koia kē te tirohanga.’

Ignoring the birds that are perched in the tree’s upper branches, Dad fells the tree, planning to cut it up next day. The trunk lies across the lawn. Pani is moved.

‘Āue, that’s sad,’ murmured Pani. ‘Auē, te pōuri,’ te kōmuhu a Pani.

During the night there is the flapping of wings and the scurrying of small feet.

Next morning Dad is amazed to find the tree is standing upright, unharmed. Pani reminds her father of the legend of Rata who cut down a tōtara tree, only to have the birds and insects, the forest guardians [Te Tini o te Hakuturi] pick up every scrap of wood and set the tree up again.

Dad’s response is a chainsaw, and the tree falls again.

Waima is looking at a spider in the tree and says, ‘Maybe we should leave this rākau alone.’

‘Ākuni pea me waiho tatou i tenei rākau.’

 

During the night, there is once again the flapping of wings and the scurrying of small feet.

Once again, the tree is restored by morning. Once again, Dad demolishes it with his chainsaw. Once again, the tree is restored. Next morning the children are amazed to see their father standing with his arms around the tree’s trunk. What will happen next?

 

Tim Tipene has offered a slightly different conclusion from the Māori legend, but one that is more in line with the times. This is a well-told story, with a lovely ending.

The Māori translation was provided by Kanapu Rangitauira.

The illustrator, Huia Ligaliga, has provided realistic double-page colour illustrations of the little family and the big tree. She has also depicted the various insects and birds mentioned in the story. Each creature is identified in both languages, at the bottom of the appropriate page.

The result is a handsome retelling of a familiar legend, with a timeless message for modern society.

 

Trevor Agnew 

23 August 2024  [Review 3696]