maui spell sun

Leaving his brothers to maintain the strain on the ropes, he ran towards the sun. From his girdle he pulled out his favourite weapon, the jawbone of his ancestor Muri-ranga-whenua, and belaboured the helpless sun until he cried for mercy. Maaui chanted a powerful spell, known as a punga, to keep the sun from moving. "Are you trying to kill Tama-nui-te-raa?" asked Tama in a weak voice, as he struggled to break the ropes. It was a significant remark, for it was the first time that the sacred name of the sun had ever been revealed. "I have no wish to harm you. If you promise to travel more slowly in future, I'll let you go." "No." said great Tama stubbornly. "Why should I change my habits on your account?" "This is why, Maaui said and battered the sun until he was weakened. When he was released he limped so slowly across the sky that men and women were able to cook their food, eat, work, play and make love at their leisure, while from his wounds came the bright rays we know as sunbeams.

- Maori myth and legend by Reed, A. W. (Alexander Wyclif)