Ui Makihoi Final Book English

Ui Makihoi

THE RADIO

One day, Mā called out to his friend, "Kina! Hey! Kina! Come out! I've got something new to show you!"

He called again, "K-I-N-A!"

Kina called back, "H-O-L-D O-N! Let me get my bag..."

But then her mother called out, "Perehama! Have you finished your chores?"

Kina replied, "Yes, Mum! All done... see you..."

Her mother's voice came again, "Your room! Perehama! Your room!"

Kina called back, "See you, Mum..."

Her mother called after her, "P-E-R-E-H-A-M-A!"

Then Kina said to Mā, "Hurry, Mā, run! Catch me!"

Mā called out, "Run to the river. They'll be there."

When they got to the river, Tē said, "Hey, you two!"

Kina replied, "Hey, Tē! Uē, how are you..."

Tē asked, "Where have you two been?"

Uē said, "We've been waiting for you for ages."

Kina said, "Never mind! Mā's got something new..."

"Something new? What?" asked Tē.

"What is it, Mā? What have you got?" asked Uē.

Mā announced, "Look! I've got something amazing..."

"Yeah... what is it?" asked Uē.

"That's just an empty box..." said Kina.

"What's so amazing about that...?" asked Tē.

"You're right! It's an empty box. But... listen," said Mā.

He turned on his radio, "...oh, oh, my poor head... I'm so thirsty..."

"What is that? A radio?" asked Kina.

"Special! This is my radio," Mā replied.

"Can I listen? Please..." asked Kina.

He agreed, and she heard, "Wheeeeee... wow! I can hear a voice..."

"Shake it gently, then you'll really hear a voice..." Mā instructed.

"That's right! The voice is getting stronger..." said Kina.

"Can I listen?" asked Tē.

She agreed, and Tē heard, "...I'm so thirsty... oh, oh..."

"Can I? Give it here..." asked Uē.

"It's getting clearer. Is there something inside?" asked Tē.

"Yes! It's a radio! That's my radio..." Mā explained.

"What kind of voice is that? Where's it from?" asked Uē.

"Open the box a little, but keep your ear pressed to it," said Mā.

The box was opened, and Uē heard, "Eeeee, it's a fly, that voice is from a fly... what a trick..."

"That's my radio! The voice of the fly hanging in the air..." Mā replied.

THE SPIDER

"Hey! Walk carefully. There's a huge spider over there," said Uē to Tē.

"Bigger than my hand?" asked Tē.

"Bigger than your hand!" Uē replied.

"My hand!? Where!?" asked Tē.

"In the shed," Uē replied.

"There! You can see it. Up there. In the corner," Uē pointed.

"Ewww, yuk! You're right. That spider is absolutely huge," said Tē.

"Do you really think it's bigger than my hand?" asked Uē.

"It seems like it! It's really black! Let's catch it!" said Tē.

"Catch it!? What for?" asked Uē.

"To watch it, to look at it," Tē replied.

"But I prefer watching from far away. I really hate spiders," said Uē.

"Hey! Uēuē! I'm not scared," said Tē.

"I'm not going to catch it. You catch it," Uē replied.

"Fine. I'll catch it. But you need to help me a little..." said Tē.

"How are you going to catch it?" asked Uē.

"With this stick and jar. I'll use the stick. You hold the jar," Tē explained.

"Me? What for?" asked Uē.

"You hold the jar open. I'll prod the spider so it falls inside," said Tē.

"No! What if the spider falls on me?" asked Uē.

"It won't! I'll aim carefully so it falls right into the jar," Tē replied.

"I'll take the stick! You hold the jar!" said Uē.

"What's wrong with you! I'll do it myself. You're such a crybaby. That's why you're called Uē! Uēuē!" said Tē.

"How dare you! Tē... Tē... spider-lover, Tē the show-off..." said Uē.

"I'll help," Uē replied.

"You take the jar! I'll take the stick," Tē decided.

"Yes... okay..." said Uē.

They looked at the spider.

"Look at its size. You were right, it's bigger than my hand," said Tē.

"It's bigger than my foot...!" Uē replied.

"Count its legs. How many in total..." Tē instructed.

Uē counted, "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight... eight... it has eight legs."

"And it's hairy too..." said Tē.

"Are those its eyes? Those big things in front..." asked Uē.

"Yes! I know... are you ready?" asked Tē.

"Yes! Where should I hold the jar..." asked Uē.

"Down low. Right underneath it..." Tē instructed.

"Here..." said Uē.

At that moment, Tē asked, "I don't really want that spider. Should we just leave it?"

"Yes! Leave it! Let's catch it tomorrow, okay!" Uē replied.

"Yes! Tomorrow..." they agreed.

THE CAVE

"It's a bit dark," said Mā.

"Maybe it's an animal's home," Kina replied.

"Mmm! I know..." said Mā.

"Do bears live in caves?" asked Kina.

"According to the stories..." Mā replied.

"Are there bears in Aotearoa?" asked Kina.

"No! But there are lions here," said Mā.

"Lions!" Kina exclaimed.

"Yes! I saw one on the TV," Mā explained.

"There are no lions in Aotearoa," said Kina.

"How do you know?" asked Mā.

"My teacher at school told me," Kina replied.

"But how does she know?" asked Mā.

"I don't know! But she said it..." said Kina.

Mā spoke again, "How did those people disappear. They disappeared into the forest. Maybe the lions killed them, ate them."

"Eat!? Lions eat people?" asked Kina.

"Yes! Lions are man-eaters," Mā replied.

"Ooo, yes, they have long teeth, sharp claws..." said Kina.

"Mmm!" Mā agreed.

"What should we do? Should we go inside..." asked Kina.

"Do you want to..." said Mā.

"Do you want to?" asked Kina.

"Yes... if you want to..." Mā replied.

"Let's go in..." said Kina.

"You go first," said Mā.

"You! You're the oldest. You always say that," Kina replied.

"Yes! So I make the rules! You go in first," said Mā.

"Hey! You lead us!" Kina said.

"Are you scared?" asked Mā.

"Are you scared!" Kina retorted.

"No! I just don't want to go... first," said Mā.

"Yes! I know. Because you're scared," said Kina.

"You go in. You!" Mā insisted.

"Do you believe I won't go in. If I go in first, what will you give me," asked Kina.

"My Pokémon card," Mā replied.

"Which one!" asked Kina.

"The one for Chazra," said Mā.

"Chazra! Yes! I'll do it!" Kina said.

"Come on! Follow me! Don't leave me alone!" Kina called out.

"I'm right behind you..." Mā replied.

Kina went inside, "Huh! There's nothing in here..."

Mā said, "Whee... look... an eye... an eye..."

"Where?" asked Kina.

"Run! There's a lion in here!" Mā called.

"Run!" Kina called out.

"Did you see it! I saw it! A lion! An Aotearoa lion," Kina said as they ran.

CICADAS

"Uē! Come here! Come here!" Tē called.

"What! What!" Uē asked.

"Look! What's that?" said Tē.

"What is it?" asked Uē.

They looked, "Eeee! They're swarming. What do you think these things are?" asked Uē.

"There are so many. Look at all the trees. They're completely covered," said Tē.

"What do you think they are?" asked Uē.

"I don't know! Something from another world," Tē replied.

"Really?" asked Uē.

"Maybe!" Tē replied.

"From another world?! Like aliens, those creepy things that look like spiders. Did you see that show on TV?" said Uē.

"Aliens," Tē replied.

"Yes! They look terrible," said Uē.

"But those aliens are big. These are just tiny," Tē replied.

"Maybe these are their babies. Their little ones," said Uē.

"Yes! You're right! These are alien babies," Tē agreed.

"Pick one up," Uē instructed.

Tē picked one up, "Its skin is so soft."

"Look!" Tē said.

"Its legs, its head, its body," said Uē.

"What if this isn't just skin. But a space suit," Tē replied.

"Huh?!" asked Uē.

"I don't know! Just an idea," Tē replied.

"How so, if you're right. The aliens have come from another world, to kill us humans," said Uē.

"Yes! They come here, they're tiny. Then they eat people, and grow as big as elephants," Tē replied.

"Then they become like caterpillars, and turn into butterflies. Eventually, another space ship will be born, like these, to carry them to another world," said Uē.

"Yes! We're in big trouble," Tē agreed.

"Let's get some. Let's take them to Kina and the others," said Uē.

"Let's go, and hurry," Tē replied.

"Maybe these aliens have already started killing people," said Uē.

"Yes!" Tē agreed.

They called out, "Kina! Kina!"

"Aliens have arrived. Aliens," Tē said.

THE PIG

Kina sang, "Chubby little pig, fat and round, with one curly tail..."

"Your pig face is really ugly," said Tē.

"Do pigs eat everything?" asked Tē.

"Yes! My dad says the pig is the biggest rubbish eater. No matter what, a pig will eat it," Kina replied.

"Look at this rubbish. Egg shells, bones, lettuce, carrots, stale bread. Every kind of rubbish is here," said Tē.

"Yesterday, I gave him rotten watermelon," Kina replied.

"No way!" asked Tē.

"Last week, he ate the biscuits my sister burnt," said Kina.

"Doesn't his stomach hurt?" asked Tē.

"He's got an iron stomach," Kina replied.

"What's going to happen to this pig?" asked Tē.

"This one?" asked Kina.

"Yes! What's going to happen to it. Will it be sold? Or what?" asked Tē.

"No! At Christmas, it'll be killed," Kina replied.

"What for?" asked Tē.

"To eat!" Kina replied.

"Hey, don't lie! Who would eat a pig. It looks so disgusting..." said Tē.

"Yes! But its meat is really delicious," Kina replied.

"Have you eaten it?" asked Tē.

"Yes! And so have you!" Kina replied.

"No way! I would never eat pig," said Tē.

"You ate it last week," Kina replied.

"No way! Never," Tē said.

"Bacon is delicious, right?" asked Kina.

"Bacon? I love bacon!" Tē replied.

"That's pig meat," said Kina.

"No! I saw my mum buying bacon from the supermarket. It's wrapped in plastic," Tē replied.

"Friend! You're so ignorant! Bacon comes from pigs," Kina said.

"But that's good meat. Clean meat. Not dirty like this muddy pig," said Tē.

"You're so ignorant. How old are you?" asked Kina.

"Seven! So what," Tē replied.

"You've lived on a farm since you were born, and you don't know pigs are food for us. Bacon comes from pigs," Kina explained.

"So what? How old are you?" asked Tē.

"Eight! I'm older than you," Kina replied.

"So what. You don't know that sheep wool is used for wool," said Tē.

"No! Sheep wool is wool. But some wool is red, yellow, green. I've seen it in shops. Have you seen sheep that are green, yellow? No, exactly. I know what I'm talking about," Kina replied.

THE DOG

"Māia! Fetch! Fetch the stick," Mā called.

"Fetch! Fetch it!" he called again.

"Bring it here! Bring it here!"

Kina said, "Your dog has no brain. She has no ears."

"Hey! In time, she'll be really good," Mā replied.

"I'll do it," said Kina.

"Fetch! Fetch it!"

Kina said again, "Hmm! Maybe she's hungry..."

"No! She knows I'm her master, her owner," Mā replied.

Tē called, "Māia! Fetch the stick."

"Good girl, Māia. Do it again. Fetch it," she replied.

"You're such a good dog. Yes! Māia, the most beautiful dog," Tē said.

"Fetch, Māia. Fetch the stick," Mā called.

"Hey! Give that back! Bring it back," their mother called.

"Look! She's got your undies, Tē. Your little undies," Kina said.

"Māia! Bring it here!" Tē called.

"Run, Māia, run!" Mā called.

"Māia! Give it! Give it!" Kina called.

"That dog! Grab her! Good grief!" their mother called.

"I've got her! I've got her! Give it here, Māia! Give it!" Tē called.

"Māia! Give it!"

"Māia! Look at what you've done! Bad dog! Look!" Tē called.

"Whew, Tē, Māia really wanted your little undies," said Mā.

"Come here, Māia! Good girl, good job," Kina said.

EELS

"What are you doing?" asked Uē.

"Eeling," Tē replied.

"Eels!" asked Uē.

"Yes! Watch," said Tē.

"Look, Uē! One, two, three..."

"What...?" asked Uē.

"Sometimes, there are eels sleeping under the water weeds. If you poke them like I'm doing, you'll catch the eel, and flip it onto the bank. Then you've caught an eel, food for us," Tē explained.

"We already caught one, Mā and me. Look," said Kina.

"Uuuuw! I don't like the look of eels. They're slimy, slippery," said Uē.

"Touch it! It's fine," said Mā.

"Do you like eel meat?" asked Kina.

"Yes! The meat is delicious. But the look is still wet," Uē replied.

"I'm doing it again, watch out, one, two, three..." said Tē.

"Ha! Still nothing. Do you want to try, Uē?" asked Tē.

"No! I don't want to. Does the eel bite?" asked Uē.

"Yes! It bites hard! Look at my scar," said Kina.

"This one! This scar. It's big, right," she explained.

"From the eel. It bit me. Its mouth was about this big. Because of its bite, you can see its ears," said Kina.

"Don't lie! You can't see an eel's ears," Mā replied.

"Yes!" Kina said.

"The biggest eel I ever caught, its thickness was like my thigh. Like this," Mā replied.

"So what! One of my dads caught an eel once. But it was so big, he couldn't lift it. So he got a truck to tow it," said Kina.

"Friend! You're making that up," said Tē.

"No! My dad said it..." Kina replied.

"I'm doing it again, get ready, one, two, three..." said Tē.

"There's one. An eel. An eel," Mā said.

"Pull it in, pull it in..." Uē said.

"Wheee, look! That's not an eel, it's just a tree branch," said Kina.

"Did you almost wet your pants, Uē..." Mā said.

They all cried, "Crybaby! Crybaby!"

THE BULL

"You look really sad, friend," Mā said to Kina.

"My ball, my favourite ball..." Kina replied.

"What? Is it lost?" asked Mā.

"Nah! I know where that ball is," said Kina.

"Then what's the problem? Go get it!" Mā instructed.

"It's over there! There! Over there!" said Kina.

"What's wrong! Go get it!" Mā said.

"Look! There's a bull under that tree. Sleeping," Kina said.

"Oh! There it is!" said Mā.

"What's the problem?" asked Tē.

"My ball! It's stuck in the bull's dung," Kina replied.

"Oh no! Leave it. Forget it. That ball is dead," said Tē.

"One of us should get it," Mā replied.

"Maybe you should go first," said Tē.

"Let's have a farting competition. The one with the most useless fart has to go the furthest, and loses. They have to get the ball," Mā decided.

"Uē? Are you moving?" asked Kina.

"Come on! Move! You're good at farting!" Tē said.

"Your ball, Kina. You go first," said Mā.

"Right! Press that one!" Kina replied.

"My turn now!" Mā said.

"Your turn, Uē!"

"Your turn, Uē! You've got the axe," Kina said.

"You should do it. You're the fastest runner," said Mā.

"I'll do it! Kina, if I don't come back, you get all my maps. Mā, you get my stone marbles. Tē, you get this," said Uē.

"My nana sewed this for me," she explained.

"Run really fast, Uē. No matter what, don't stop, don't look back," Mā instructed.

The children started, "Three, two, one... run!"

"Run, Uē. The bull is standing up. Run!" Kina called.

"Fast! Hurry!" Tē called.

"She's going, Uē. Fast!" Mā called.

"Uēeeeeeeeeeee....!" Uē cried.

"Wait! Look at that bull. Is it a bull?" asked Mā.

"Bull?" asked Tē.

"That's not a bull. Kina! Your eyes again! It's just a cow. Look, it has an udder," said Mā.

"You lot! Tē! Give me my necklace. You lot are just chickens," Uē called.

HUNTING

"What are you doing, Parāki!" Mā asked.

"Pig hunting. I'm going with Dad," Parāki replied.

"What are those things you've got?" Mā asked.

"These?" Parāki asked.

"Yes!" Mā replied.

"My tools!" said Parāki.

"What are these?" asked Mā.

"This one! My knife. Look! It's sharp! It's long!" Parāki explained.

"Your knife is really good!" said Mā.

"Yes! I'll stab the pig. Like this," said Parāki.

"Oof! Dead."

"What's that thing?" asked Mā.

"This one!" said Parāki.

"That's my other knife."

"But you've already got one," said Mā.

"Yes! But if I lose that one, I've got this one," Parāki replied.

"Mmm! You're well prepared. What's that on your shoulder?" asked Mā.

"This one! My spear! It works like this," said Parāki.

"The things on your back, are those your arrows?" asked Mā.

"Yes! My arrows. For my spear. Stab the pig. Dead," Parāki explained.

"Have you got a gun?" asked Mā.

"Yes! It's here," Parāki replied.

"Like this!"

"Is the gun for the pig?" asked Mā.

"No! For the bottles. Shoot them, bang bang!" Parāki replied.

"You really look like you're going," said Mā.

"Yes! Dad and me. Pig hunting. Going soon," Parāki replied.

"I'm going now. Right now. I'm going," said Parāki.

"Get ten pigs, friend," Mā said.

"Yes! Ten," Parāki replied.

"Para! What are you doing! It's your bedtime now. Come here," his mother called.

"Ooo! Mum! I'm going pig hunting. With Dad," Parāki replied.

"No! You're going to bed. You're only young. When you're much older, you can go with your father," his mother said.

"Dad! Mum won't let me go! Dad!" Parāki cried.

BATTLE

"Mā! Come here! There's a battle at 'The Whiros'," Kina called.

"Who's there?" asked Mā.

"The Pikos and the Whiros," Kina replied.

"Tē and Uē are over there," she added.

"Did you send them?" asked Mā.

"No! They were already there," Kina replied.

"They'll get hurt. It's a stone fight. Not just throwing poi. Let's hurry," said Mā.

The children said, "Throw! There's one behind the tree. Hit them with a stone."

"Who's winning?" asked Mā.

"Them! They've got Rūpapa," Tē replied.

"Hey, that's cheating," said Kina.

"Never mind! It's a truce right now," Mā said.

"Where are our stones?" asked Kina.

"Down there. Let's go down there," said Uē.

"Be careful! There are lots of stones being thrown," Mā warned.

"Uē, you and Tē are the lookouts. You two point out where they're hiding," Mā decided.

"Eww! I want to throw!" said Uē.

"Hurry! No arguing," Mā said.

"One o'clock, behind that red-flowered plant!" Tē instructed.

"I can see it. I'll get him," said Kina.

"Owww!" an enemy cried.

"Yahoooo! Got one," Mā said.

"Owww! Fire... burn..." said Mā.

"Yippppeeeee!" an enemy called.

"One of them got me, did you see, Kina?" asked Mā.

"Yes! I'll get him," Kina replied.

"Owwwwch! Skull!" the enemy cried.

SLEDDING

"I'm faster than you!" Tē said.

"No way! Mine is the fastest," Uē replied.

"Let's race," said Tē.

"Three, two, one..."

"Hey! Cheater! You started before the right time..." Tē said.

"Never mind! Hurry up! I'm sliding," Uē replied.

"You'll never catch me!" Tē said.

"Yiiiiihaaaaaaaaaa!" Uē cried.

"Go faster! I'm still going down," said Tē.

"Did you see that! Bump-bump!" Tē said.

"How did you speed up your sled?" asked Uē.

"With soap! Rub it on the rails of the sled, then it goes really fast," Uē explained.

"Give me some to rub on mine?" asked Tē.

"No! This is mine! To speed up mine!" Uē replied.

"Race you again. One, two, three... go!" Uē called.

"Tu-meeeeee-keeeeeee!" Uē cried.

"Did you see that! I'm the fastest, right!" Uē said.

"I fixed my sled. I know I'll be faster than you," said Tē.

"Yeah right! You don't have soap, like me, like mine," Uē replied.

"So what! I'll still be faster than you," Tē said.

"Rub my rails with soap, then we'll see!" said Uē.

"You're on!" Tē said.

"Yes! I'm betting I'll win," said Tē.

"What's the bet?" asked Uē.

"Your soap. If I win, I get the soap," Tē explained.

"Yes! I agree!" said Uē.

"Let's do it together. Three, two, one, go..." Tē counted.

"Yeehaaa! I won. I won," Tē said.

"But how? You don't have soap," asked Uē.

"Right! I rubbed my rails in the cow's dung. Really slippery now. Give me the soap," Tē replied.

PICNIC

"Are we ready to go?" asked Uē.

"Yes! Here's our swimming togs, our towels..." Tē replied.

"I've got our umbrella, and our food money," said Uē.

"What if the boys are there?" asked Tē.

"We'll go somewhere else," Uē replied.

"Yes! I don't want to swim with those stupid boys," said Uē.

"What's our food?" asked Tē.

"Apples, sandwiches, and fizzy drink," Uē replied.

"What kind of sandwiches?" asked Tē.

"Jam!" Uē replied.

"Strawberry?" asked Tē.

"Yes! Strawberry!" Uē replied.

"You love Peter, right," said Tē.

"No way! Peter! That little brat! He's so gross," Uē replied.

"But I've seen you staring at him," said Tē.

"No way! How about you? You and Paka," Uē replied.

"Yours? Paka! That broken mouth," said Tē.

"But his mouth is good for kissing. I saw you two kissing," Uē replied.

"No. I don't kiss him," said Tē.

"What were you two doing then?" asked Uē.

"Just talking!" Tē replied.

"You two were kissing," said Uē.

"Just talking," Tē replied.

"Let's set up the umbrella here. Put the food down, inside its shade," said Uē.

"Our towels here, on the side," said Tē.

"Is it okay to change clothes here?" asked Uē.

"Yes! No one around. It's fine," Tē replied.

"I'm climbing the tree, so I can jump in," said Uē.

"I'm swinging on the rope, then jumping in," Tē replied.

"Look at me! I'm a monkey!" Uē said.

"Move over so I can jump," said Uē.

"Ready! Open up...!" Mā called.

"...what?" they asked.

"Bomb! Bomb the pool," Kina called.

"K-I-N-A!"

"M-Ā!" they called.

"Grab them! Hahaha!"

"Eek! Splash! Splash!" said Uē.

"Here's your food..." said Kina.

"Pool..." said Mā.

"Dirty..." said Tē.

HUHU BEETLE

"There's one here!" Kina said.

"Where? Where?" asked Tē.

"Here!" Kina replied.

"Mmmm! It's big. It's fat," said Tē.

"Its head is really big," Tē added.

"It's like Parāki's fat head," Kina replied.

"It's black too. Like yours," said Tē.

"No! More like yours. Pick it up," Kina replied.

"Yes! That's okay," said Tē.

"Iiiiiiiii!" Tē cried.

"Stop! Don't be like that," said Kina.

"What? Are you scared?" asked Tē.

"No!" Kina replied.

"Yes! You are scared, aren't you? Look at this," said Tē.

"I'll eat you, huhu beetle," Tē said.

"Eat it! Go on! Eat it!" Kina called.

"Eat it?" asked Tē.

"Yes! I'm betting you won't eat it," said Kina.

"What's the bet?" asked Tē.

"If you eat that huhu beetle, I'll give you one dollar," Kina replied.

"One dollar! That's nothing," said Tē.

"Two dollars! I'll give you two dollars," Kina replied.

"Five dollars! Give me five dollars," Tē said.

"Five!" Kina replied.

"You don't have five dollars. You're poor," said Tē.

"No! I do!" Kina replied.

"Show me!" Tē instructed.

"I don't have it right now..." said Kina.

"Where is it then?" asked Tē.

"At my house," Kina replied.

"Go get it," Tē instructed.

"Right now," said Kina.

"Yes! I'll wait for you to come back," Tē replied.

"Have you got it?" asked Tē.

"Yes! Here," Kina replied.

"So, if I eat this huhu beetle, you'll give me those five dollars," Tē decided.

"Yes! That's it!" said Kina.

"Easy! One, two, three, four, huhu beetle delicious hahaha!" Tē said.

"Iiiiiii yuk. You ate a huhu beetle," said Kina.

"Mmmmmm! Delicious! Huhu beetle delicious hahaha! Give me my five dollars," Tē said.

"Here you go! Thanks," Tē replied.

"Doesn't your stomach hurt?" asked Kina.

"Hurt from what?" asked Tē.

"From the huhu beetle... it's an insect," Kina replied.

"Yes! But it's really delicious," said Tē.

"Iiiii, you eat insects," said Kina.

"Mmmm! Delicious," Tē replied.

TREE CLIMBING

"I'm climbing that tree," said Uē.

"Which one? The tall one?" asked Mā.

"Yes! I can do it," Uē replied.

"No way! You can't climb that tree. It's too tall," said Mā.

"Too tall for you. The branches are too thin. Are you climbing to its top?" asked Mā.

"Yes! Are you strong enough to climb that tree?" asked Uē.

"Yes! I'm strong," Mā replied.

"Right. You're half monkey, right," said Uē.

"Of us two, you're the half monkey. I've seen you climbing trees," Mā replied.

"I know, you're scared to climb that tree, that you'll lose to me, right," said Uē.

"Your boasting. Fine, let's climb together... so you can see I'm not scared," Mā replied.

"Okay. Let's climb," said Uē.

"Go hard, Mā, I'm beating you," Uē said.

"Be careful, Uē. Don't boast. I'm just going slowly," Mā replied.

"No! I can hear your heart pounding from here. You're scared," said Uē.

"No! I'm just going slowly," Mā replied.

"Well, go hard, climb faster, so we can get to the top and see the view..." Uē instructed.

"Let's go slowly, or we won't reach the top, we'll fall down and break our necks," Mā replied.

"Uē has the cause, Uē has the fetch, Uē has the rope for climbing trees. I'm a monkey, I climb up, I ascend, I swing, I dangle. I swing to the banana bunch, hahaha!" Uē sang.

"Uē! Be careful! You'll fall..." Mā called.

"I won't fall... my name suits me better, doesn't it, Uēuēuēuē..." Uē replied.

"Uē...." said Mā.

"I've reached the top. So dizzy. I can see your house. The roof is blue. Just like the colour of the sky," Uē said.

"Uē! You've got it! You've got it! You're the best tree climber. Now, come down to me," Mā called.

"No! You climb up to me," Uē replied.

"I can't, the branches are too thin. They'll break. Come back to me," said Mā.

"Mā! You're like my mum. Nagging," Uē replied.

"Come down, Uē!" Mā called.

"Wait! I'm coming down," Uē replied.

"Be strong..." Mā instructed.

"What! What!" Mā called.

"I can't. My climbing up was fine, but I'm not good at climbing down. Maaa..." Uē cried.

WATER SLIDE

"How's your tyre?" asked Mā.

"It's fixed. Look, the hole is patched. No air escapes, the tyre stays firm," Kina replied.

"Mine's good too, look. It's really full of air. Firm, right," said Tē.

"Mine's good too. Here, push it, it's as firm as yours, Tē," said Uē.

"It seems like we're all the same," said Mā.

"Yes!" Kina agreed.

"Me too," Uē and Tē replied.

"Don't forget what happened to Tē last time... if your tyre falls off, hold on, let the tyre carry you," Mā instructed.

"You almost drowned, Tē..." said Uē.

"No! I just fell off my tyre," Tē replied.

"Yes. I saw. You were like this," said Uē.

"Never mind! I didn't drown, I held onto my tyre..." Tē replied.

"Leave her alone, Uē. It's okay, Tē, don't listen to her," said Kina.

"Are we ready?" asked Mā.

"Yes!" they all agreed.

"Go hard, get in," Mā instructed.

"Wow! Water rushing..." said Kina.

"Tē! Are you okay?" asked Mā.

"Yes!" Tē replied.

"Hold onto your tyre tight," Mā instructed.

"Yes!" Tē replied.

"Go hard, everyone, we're going into Te Parata, yiiiiiiiihaaaaaaaaa!" Mā called.

"Those are Ngātoroirangi's..." said Mā.

"That's me..." Kina replied.

"That's me... yeehaaaa!" Tē said.

"Fast, grab her. Hold on," Mā instructed.

"Uē! Uē! Are you okay..." Tē called.

"Okay? Yes! Really good! Awesome..." Uē replied.

"You almost drowned, Uē..." said Mā.

"Yes! I know. There was a huge rock, I got swept away, my tyre flipped, the water was frothing, I thought I was going to die..." Uē explained.

"Like when mine flipped... we have to do it again, right," said Tē.

"Yes! Let's go back to the start, do it again..." Uē replied.

WĒTĀ

"Look! Look what I've got," Kina said.

"What?" asked Tē.

"What have you got, Kina?" asked Uē.

"Look!" Kina said.

"Iiii it's a wētā," said Tē.

"Look at it," said Uē.

"Kina! Don't hold it, it'll bite you!" Tē called.

"No! I like wētā," Kina replied.

"Not me," said Tē.

"Yes! It's really wet-looking. I'm scared," Uē replied.

"Scared of what. Wētā don't bite," said Kina.

"Huh? I thought wētā bite," said Tē.

"No! Wētā kick," Kina replied.

"Kick? How do you know," asked Tē.

"Watch," said Kina.

"Watch its back legs."

"Iiiiiii, you're right, Kina, its legs kick. Like a donkey," said Uē.

"See, I told you," Kina replied.

"Does it hurt?" asked Tē.

"Sort of! Its spiky bits are what hurt," Kina replied.

"Yes! Its legs have spikes," Tē agreed.

"Wētā are fine," said Kina.

"But its creepy look," said Tē.

"But don't forget, to it, your look is really creepy," Kina replied.

"Huh!" asked Tē.

"Yes! Really creepy," Kina replied.

"What should we do with this wētā?" asked Uē.

"Let's scare Mā with it..." Kina replied.

"Yes, yes, yes, make him scream... like when he put that spider in my shoe," said Tē.

"Yes! You really screamed, like this..." Uē replied.

"Never mind! It was your shoe, you were like that..." said Tē.

"No!" Uē replied.

"Stop your arguing. You two argue all the time. Look, Mā's coming," said Kina.

"Good morning, everyone! What are you doing?" Mā asked.

"Nothing. Just talking," Kina replied.

"About what?" asked Mā.

"What should we do today," Kina replied.

"Any ideas?" asked Mā.

"Not yet," Kina replied.

"Where were you this morning?" asked Tē.

"I was looking for something," Mā replied.

"What?" asked Tē.

"What's your pet?" asked Tē.

"Friend! You're on my shoulder this whole time!" Mā said.

"Well, meet Weti, my new pet, Weti the wētā. What? Are you scared of him... crying like babies," Mā announced.

MILKING THE COW

"Cow, cow, cow moo, squirt, squirt, milk. Good girl, Kirimi. Your udders are full of milk," Tē sang.

"I'll do it," said Kina.

"No. Kirimi won't like it," Tē replied.

"Why?" asked Kina.

"Kirimi won't like it. She knows my hands. She doesn't know yours," Tē explained.

"So what. She's just a cow, an animal," said Kina.

"Even though she's an animal, just a cow, she's really smart," Tē replied.

"No. She's just a cow," said Kina.

"Watch this. Kirimi, shall we talk," said Tē.

"See, she understands talking."

"Hey, don't lie. You were just pulling her udder. That's why she went 'moo'," Kina replied.

"Kirimi, do you like Kina?" said Tē.

"Yes! One 'moo' for yes, two for no..." Tē explained.

"Rubbish. You're just pulling her udder. I can see," Kina replied.

"Kirimi, who's the most beautiful girl in the world, me, right?" Tē asked.

"Who's the smelliest boy in the world, Kina, right?" Tē asked again.

"Who's got the big brain, me, right?" Tē asked again.

"Who's the fat one, Kina, right?" Tē asked again.

"Move over! I'll do it," Kina said.

"No! I'll ask. You answer. One 'moo' for yes, two 'moos' for no. Does Tē's face look like a frog's, right?" Kina asked.

"Cow! Are you listening. Does Tē's face look like a frog's, right?" Kina asked again.

"Your cow is really fat. Crazy. Cow, I'm talking to you. Is Tē talking rubbish, right?" Kina asked.

"Yes! She said 'no'," Tē said.

"Is Tē talking rubbish, right?" Kina asked again.

"Iiiiii yuk, bad cow, disgusting cow, you're pooping, splattering," said Kina.

"Yes! Who's the rubbish one... it's you. Good girl, Kirimi. Very smart," Tē replied.

GREENSTONE

"That stone is really beautiful, Uē," Tē said.

"Mmm! Most of it is white, there's red here, and orange too," Uē replied.

"Let me see," said Mā.

"Here, most of it is white. Here's the red part, here's the orange part," Uē explained.

"Beautiful. Where did you find this?" asked Mā.

"Down there. In the water," Uē replied.

"Really smooth, right," said Tē.

"Very!" Mā agreed.

"Did the water do that?" asked Uē.

"Yes! The water made it smooth," Mā replied.

"For you lot. Look at mine. It's completely black," Kina said.

"Mmm! Really black. Shiny too," said Tē.

"Show me, let me see. Mmmm. Beautiful," said Uē.

"Looks good. But I've still got the most beautiful stone," said Mā.

"Mā's right. That's the best stone we've seen," Tē replied.

"What's wrong with mine. Mine is still really beautiful," said Uē.

"Mine too!" Kina said.

"Maybe they're equally beautiful," said Tē.

"No. Mine is still the most beautiful," Mā replied.

"Maybe! Right, Kina?" asked Uē.

"Yes! Maybe!" Kina replied.

"Never mind you two. You're just jealous... of mine," said Mā.

"I have it! I have it!" Kina said.

"What, Kina. What have you got?" asked Uē.

"Look! Greenstone," Kina announced.

"Greenstone! Give it here, let me see," Uē called.

"What, Kina. What have you got?" asked Tē.

"Greenstone. Kina found some greenstone," Uē said.

"Mā, come here. Kina found some greenstone," Tē called.

"Where!" asked Mā.

"Here, she's got it," Tē replied.

"Here, Mā, it's greenstone, really smooth... what do you think?" asked Uē.

"It seems like... greenstone..." said Mā.

"Wheee, Kina, you found some greenstone. We should sell it so we can be really rich," Tē said.

"Do you know how much greenstone costs, Mā?" asked Kina.

"Very expensive. Maybe one million dollars," Uē replied.

"Million dollars. We'd be so rich," said Tē.

"My greenstone is kind of transparent too. It'll be worth a lot. One million dollars..." Kina replied.

"Hey you lot, look, I found some greenstone too, look," Uē said.

"Eee, where did you find it?" asked Mā.

"Right here, look," Uē replied.

"Here's another one," Tē said.

"And another one... we'll be so rich," said Uē.

"Wait a minute," said Mā.

"Look here, friends. This is a lemonade bottle. This isn't greenstone, it's just green glass. Friend Kina, you're already super rich, you found a lemonade bottle," Mā announced.

GARDENING

"You're really hardworking, Parāki," said Kina.

"Yes! Very hardworking," Parāki replied.

"What are you doing?" asked Kina.

"Look! I'm working," Parāki replied.

"What kind of work?" asked Kina.

"This! Look," said Parāki.

"Yes! What kind of work is that?" asked Kina.

"Friend! I'm gardening," Parāki replied.

"What's your garden?" asked Kina.

"This one! My food garden," Parāki announced.

"Really good, Parāki. Really good," said Kina.

"Yes! My garden is good. It's a big garden. A food garden. A really good garden," Parāki replied.

"What's growing in your garden?" asked Kina.

"Mmmm! Potatoes. Kūmara. Pumpkins. Corn. Carrots," Parāki replied.

"Wow! What a garden," said Kina.

"I feed my family. My big family. Give kūmara to Koro, pumpkin to Nana, corn to my brother, carrots to my sister. Yes. That's it. I feed my family," Parāki explained.

"What's that tool?" asked Kina.

"This one? This is my hoe," Parāki replied.

"What's that for?" asked Kina.

"For digging! Like this! Watch," Parāki explained.

"Be careful, you might cut your foot," Kina warned.

"What? Haaa! I'm not stupid!" Parāki said.

"What's that tool?" asked Kina.

"This is a fork, for digging, like this... dig, fork the earth. There!" Parāki explained.

"How does that tool work?" asked Kina.

"Ooohh! This is my rake," said Parāki.

"What's your rake for?" asked Kina.

"Boy, a rake is for raking. You're so ignorant!" Parāki replied.

"What's that thing?" asked Kina.

"This one, that's my wheelbarrow. Wheelbarrow, yes, wheelbarrow. Here's the wheel. Big wheel, right. Here are the handles. For holding. Here's the tray. For carrying dirt, there, it's a wheelbarrow," Parāki explained.

"You really know your stuff," said Kina.

"Yes! I know everything," Parāki replied.

"Who taught you?" asked Kina.

"Me! My eyes, my ears, doing the work," Parāki replied.

"But you're just a baby," said Kina.

"Baby! No! I'm not a baby. I don't wear nappies. My little brother is the baby, not me. I'm sick of this. Listen to you. Go away. I'm working. Go. Hard work. Garden work. For my family. Yes. Family," Parāki said.

"Parāki! What are you doing? Ooow Parāki," his mother called.

"What, Mum?" Parāki asked.

"Your work, Parāki," his mother said.

"What, Mum. What's wrong?" Parāki asked.

"My garden. You've dug up my beautiful flowers. Look at your work, Parāki. My flowers are dying," his mother cried.

"Mum's garden. Food garden. This is a food garden. Who cares about flowers. Flowers aren't tasty. They're bitter. No use," Parāki replied.

"Ooww, Parāki!" his mother cried.

Lollies

"Why did the chicken cross the road?" asked Kina.

"To get to the other side! That's a dry joke," Tē replied.

"Why did the fly cross the road?" asked Mā.

"I don't know!" they all replied.

"Because it was stuck to the chicken's foot," Mā explained.

"Who's got another one?" asked Uē.

"I've got a tongue twister," said Mā.

"Tell us," Tē said.

"What's a tongue twister?" asked Uē.

"Like this. Monkey climbing tree trunk branch. Climb monkey, climb branch," said Mā.

"Do it again, hold onto me," Mā instructed.

"There. Monkey climbing tree trunk branch. Climb monkey, climb branch," Mā said again.

"My turn!" Kina said.

"My turn!" Tē said.

"Maybe me," said Uē.

"I've got another one. Listen. Toilet run run toilet, toilet sit on fence," said Mā.

"What else? What's the point of that?" asked Tē.

"That's a different tongue twister. Not a joke," Mā replied.

"Do it again, the words are tricky," said Uē.

"Toilet run run toilet, toilet sit on fence," Mā said again.

"Really tricky words... toilet run... yuk," said Uē.

"I've got something for you, Uē," said Kina.

"Yes! What!" asked Uē.

"A lolly," Kina replied.

"A lolly! I'll have one," Uē said.

"Yes, that's fine. But you have to close your eyes, and open your mouth wide. Don't open your eyes," Kina instructed.

"But you'll put something disgusting in my mouth," Uē asked.

"No! Do you want a lolly or not," asked Kina.

"I want one," Uē replied.

"Open your mouth," Kina instructed.

"Like this?" asked Uē.

"Yes! Close your eyes, don't look... there!" said Kina.

"Mmmm! This lolly is delicious, strawberry-flavoured. Mmm! Thanks, Kina. You're the best," said Uē.

"Can I have one?" asked Tē.

"Yes. But you have to close your eyes, and open your mouth wide. Don't open your eyes," Kina instructed.

"Yes! That's fine," Tē replied.

"Open your mouth. Good. Close your eyes, don't look... there!" said Kina.

"Mmmm! This lolly is delicious too, blackcurrant-flavoured. Mmm! Thanks, Kina," said Tē.

"What about me?" asked Mā.

"Do you want one?" asked Kina.

"Yes please!" Mā replied.

"Same as them, you have to close your eyes, and open your mouth wide. Don't open your eyes," Kina instructed.

"Yes! That's fine," said Mā.

"Open up. Close your eyes, don't look... there!" said Kina.

"Iiii what is this... what is that... oww... Kina... yuk... it's sheep poo..." Mā cried.

"Poo! Iiiiii...." Uē and Tē cried.

"Wataaaaaaa!" Kina said.

"I'll get you, I'll smash your head..." said Mā.

"Run, Kina, run..." Uē and Tē called.

SLINGSHOT

"What are you making, Parāki?" asked Tē.

"Mm!" Parāki replied.

"What?" asked Tē.

"That thing!" said Parāki.

"What's that?" asked Tē.

"Are you blind? A slingshot!" Parāki replied.

"What for?" asked Tē.

"For shooting!" Parāki replied.

"Shooting what?" asked Tē.

"Shooting bad people," Parāki replied.

"No! Are there bad people here?" said Tē.

"Mm!" Parāki replied.

"Did you see one?" asked Tē.

"Mm!" Parāki replied.

"When?" asked Tē.

"Yesterday!" Parāki replied.

"What was he doing?" asked Tē.

"Stealing!" Parāki replied.

"Stealing what?" asked Tē.

"The apples," Parāki replied.

"Where?" asked Tē.

"Down there!" Parāki replied.

"In the apple trees," Tē replied.

"Yes! Stealing. Stealing Dad's apples," said Parāki.

"What are you going to do?" asked Tē.

"Shoot him. Shoot him with an arrow. So he dies," Parāki replied.

"But if he dies, the police will come," said Tē.

"Yes! To get him. Get the bad person. Stealing," Parāki replied.

"No! To get you," said Tē.

"No! Get the bad person. Yes!" Parāki replied.

"What are you doing with that stick?" asked Tē.

"That's the slingshot," Parāki replied.

"Where are your arrows?" asked Tē.

"Here. One, two, three, four. Four. Look. Sharp, right!" Parāki explained.

"Yes! Really sharp. How do you attach it to your slingshot?" asked Tē.

"I've got it. Right here," Parāki replied.

"Is this strong?" asked Tē.

"Yes! Strong twine. Won't break. Strong. Really strong," Parāki replied.

"Where's your twine from?" asked Tē.

"From inside. From the shed," Parāki replied.

"Is it okay with Dad, you using his tools?" asked Tē.

"I'm not using them. I'm working. Making a slingshot. Killing bad people," Parāki replied.

"Dad will be angry," said Tē.

"No! He'll support me. I'm killing bad people. There, dead," Parāki replied.

"You're really good at making things," said Tē.

"Yes! That's my job. Making," Parāki replied.

"Do you like making things?" asked Tē.

"Yes! Now. Finished. My slingshot is done," said Parāki.

"Parāki..." his father called.

"Dad's coming," said Tē.

"Parāki!" his father called again.

"Yes, Dad?" Parāki replied.

"Have you seen my kit?" his father asked.

"Yes! It's here," Parāki replied.

"Thanks... wait, what happened to this twine?" his father said.

"I took it..." said Parāki.

"What for?" his father asked.

"For my slingshot. Look. Slingshot. Twine," Parāki explained.

"Parāki! My tool kit. Leave my tools alone," his father called.

THIEF

"What do you think?" asked Mā.

"I don't know," Kina replied.

"Have you seen the dog?" asked Mā.

"No! I think it's sleeping," said Tē.

"Yes! Maybe sleeping," Uē replied.

"Throw a stone at it..." said Kina.

"Yes. Then if it's there, it'll bark," Tē replied.

"Mmm! Good idea. Wait. There's a stone here. Walk carefully," said Mā.

"Careful!" Kina said.

"I'm being poked by the gorse," said Tē.

"Careful! I didn't hear a dog. What about you lot?" asked Mā.

"No. I didn't hear one," Kina replied.

"Let's go," said Tē.

"Wait! Who said there was a dog at the house?" asked Mā.

"Uē said..." said Kina.

"Yes! I saw it last week," Uē replied.

"What kind of dog, what was it like?" asked Mā.

"A scary dog. Bigger than a horse," Uē replied.

"A horse?!" asked Mā.

"Yes! It had big teeth. Its mouth was really drooly," said Uē.

"Did you see it with your own eyes!" asked Mā.

"Yes! With my own eyes," Uē replied.

"Mmmm! Kina! You go first," said Mā.

"Me?" asked Kina.

"Are you scared?" said Mā.

"No!" Kina replied.

"Go! We'll follow," Mā instructed.

"How about you? You go," said Kina.

"Kina! You go first," Tē said.

"Yes! I'm the lookout," said Mā.

"Eee! Yes! I'll go," Kina replied.

"All four apples," Tē instructed.

"That's too many, my hands aren't free," said Kina.

"Go hard! Get four," Tē said.

"Yes, four," Uē replied.

"Are you ready?" asked Mā.

"Yes!" Kina replied.

"Don't forget! Four apples," Tē instructed.

"What are you doing?" asked Kina.

"We're watching you," Tē replied.

"If you see that dog, open your mouth," Mā instructed Kina.

"Yes! Ready, one, two, three," Mā counted.

"I'm going..." said Kina.

"Be careful..." Tē instructed.

"Now, she's crossed the yard. She's reached the tree. Go hard, Kina, go hard," Uē said.

"Wait, wait, a light has come on. Someone's coming," said Tē.

"Yes! Go outside. Go pee," that person called.

"Someone's coming," said Tē.

"He's let out a dog... Kina..." said Uē.

"K-i-n-a! Come back..." Tē called.

"Quick, Kina, come back..." Mā called.

"Wait, look!" said Mā.

"Aaaagghhhh! A dog...." Kina cried.

"Kina, come back," Tē called.

"Look, it's just a puppy. It came outside to pee. Hey, Uē, you said there was a big dog at this house..." said Mā.

"Yes... I was right, look behind the puppy, there's its mother...." Uē replied.

"K-i-n-a!" Tē called.

DRESSING UP

"Your mum's shoes are nice, right?" asked Tē.

"Yes! Beautiful. But they're high. Can you walk in them?" asked Uē.

"Yes! Look," Tē replied, and she tried to walk in them.

Uē watched her wobble. "Your walking is a bit wobbly."

"You do it," Tē replied.

"Give them here. Watch me," said Uē. She put on the shoes and clunked around.

"You're wobbly too," Tē laughed.

"Mmm! They're hard," Uē admitted.

Tē picked up a hat. "Look at my hat."

"There's fruit on it," Uē noticed.

"Yes! But it's not real," Tē replied.

"Show me. A pear, a banana, an apple, and a kiwi fruit," said Uē.

"Look at this," said Tē, taking the fruit off. "Thank you, Mā! Kina. We're going for a cup of tea. Do you two want to come? No way. Your look is too scruffy."

The girls giggled.

Uē twirled around in a dress. "How's this dress. Look. If I spin around, my dress spins too. Like a spinning top, right."

"Mine too. Here. Spin! Let's spin together. Ready, three, four..."

"Spin!" they shouted together.

"What's your favourite colour?" asked Tē.

"Favourite colour? Mmm? I like red. What about you?" asked Uē.

"I like brown," Tē replied.

"Me too. I love brown. Have you got a brown dress?" asked Uē.

"It's hanging, go get it," Tē replied.

"This one?" asked Uē.

"Yes! I've got something red too. Let's change," said Tē.

"Really beautiful. We look like queens. The Queen of England, right?" said Uē.

"Now, for the makeup," said Tē.

"What's that?" asked Uē.

"These things. Lipstick. Eye pencil. Face paint," Tē explained.

"What are they for?" asked Uē.

"To make your face beautiful," Tē replied.

"Beautiful? But those tools are really strange," said Uē.

"Wait, you'll see. Here, this lipstick, you put it on your lips, like this," Tē explained.

"Whose are those?" asked Uē.

"My sister's," Tē replied.

"Will we get in trouble?" asked Uē.

"No! She's not here. Shall I do your lips?" asked Tē.

"Yes! Paint them red, really red," Uē replied.

"Yes! Your look is beautiful," said Tē.

Then they heard Mā calling from a distance. "Tē!? Tē, are you there? Tē! Are you coming outside?"

"Yes! We're here..." Uē started to answer.

"Wait! Don't answer..." whispered Tē.

"Why?" asked Uē.

"We need to change clothes again," Tē replied.

"Why?" asked Uē again.

"We'll get told off..." said Tē.

"Really?" asked Uē.

"No! Don't go to the window," Tē said.

"Mum! We won't be long," Uē called.

"Is that you, Uē," Mā called back.

"Yes! We won't be long," Uē said.

"Hurry! We're going to catch frogs. Are you two coming?" asked Mā.

"Yes! Wait... I'm going, Tē... these tools are dry..." said Uē.

"Wait, your lips, your face, the paint is still on..." Tē said.

The door opened and shut.

Mā looked at Tē. "What happened to you? Your face, you look like a clown. Kina! Look at Uē..."

Everyone laughed.

THE MARAE

Māia the dog barked loudly.

"Māia! Fetch the ball," said Mā.

"Māia, fetch!" Kina joined in.

"Good girl, Māia. Bring it back to me... give it here," said Tē.

The dog panted and brought the ball.

"What's happening at the marae?" asked Mā.

"A tangi. One of the old men has died," Kina replied.

"We should go to the back," said Tē.

"It's not right! My mum said it's not good to go to the marae when a tangi is on," Uē replied.

"It's fine. Your mum's not here," said Mā.

"Come here! Let's go in," said Kina.

Māia barked again.

"Māia, fetch the ball..." said Tē.

"Fetch, Māia, fetch..." said Mā.

"Give it to me, ooooh Māia, this ball is so slobbery," said Tē.

Māia panted happily.

"Hey, look! The food is cooked, the hāngi is lifted," said Uē.

"Ooooh yes! Maybe there's roast meat on the stones," said Mā.

"Yes! It's still quite hot. But not too bad," said Kina.

"Give me one. I don't want to go inside. I've just got my pyjamas on," said Tē.

"Me too. Give me one, boys," said Uē.

"Here! Be careful, this stone is still a bit hot," Mā warned.

Māia panted nearby.

"Move over, Māia. This meat is hot. It'll burn your nose," said Tē.

"Mmm! Pork. Look at this stone, completely covered in meat," said Uē.

"Really roasted, right," said Mā.

"Don't stand on that stone, there's meat fat stuck to it. Give it here," Kina warned.

"No! My turn now," said Mā.

"Ow Mā. I saw it first," said Kina.

"Never mind. I grabbed it first," Mā replied.

"Greedy guts. You're a guts," Kina laughed.

"Where's Māia?" asked Tē.

"I don't know!" said Uē.

"Māia!? Māia! Come here! I've got some meat for you," Tē called.

Māia barked and panted over.

"Good girl, Māia. You're such a beautiful dog. Here, here's some meat for you," said Tē.

"Eat, Māia. Eat," said Uē.

"Hey, don't give it to her. It's a waste," said Kina.

"No! It's fine for her. She's hungry," Tē replied.

"We're hungry too," said Kina.

"Eat, Māia. Eat. Never mind her. She's grumpy," said Tē.

"Move over, Māia. You're a disgusting dog. Move over," said Kina.

"Leave her," said Tē.

"Leave her," Kina mimicked. "Move, Māia."

Māia yelped.

"Don't kick her. Kina, look at what you've done," said Tē.

"Run away, Māia. Run," said Uē.

"Wheee, she's running onto the marae. Kina! Look," said Mā.

"Māia. Come back. You'll get told off! Oooowww Māia, come back. Kina, this is your fault. Kina!" Tē called.

Dad looked over. "Whose dog is this. Kill it for our food."

"Kina, your fault. They want to eat Māia!" Tē cried.

ELEVATOR

"This shopping mall is huge!" said Uē.

"There are lots of people too," said Tē.

"Look, you two. Do you know what's behind those sliding doors?" Kina asked.

"Yes! I'm not as ignorant as you! An elevator is behind them," Tē replied.

"What's an elevator?" asked Uē.

"You're half right, Tē. There's a lift behind those doors. But this lift, it's not an elevator, it's a spaceship," said Kina.

"SPACESHIP! Friend!" Tē laughed.

"What's an elevator?" Uē asked again.

"You know already. An elevator takes you to another floor. You've seen them on TV," Tē replied.

"Ohhh! Yes! An elevator. You push a button, and the lift goes up to another place," said Uē.

"That's it! That's an elevator," Tē replied.

"But Kina says that lift is a spaceship," said Uē.

"She's lying, to trick us," Tē replied.

"Is she, Kina? Are you lying?" Uē asked Kina.

"No! There's a spaceship behind those doors," Kina replied.

"A spaceship? Is it fast...?" asked Uē.

"Don't listen to her, Uē!" Tē said.

"I've wanted to ride a spaceship for ages. I'm going. Us two," said Uē.

"Your funeral! Up to you...!" Tē called.

"Ready, Uē. I'm pushing the button, okay. Are you ready?" Kina asked.

"Yes! Push!" Uē replied.

"Here we go!" Tē cried.

The elevator doors opened. "The doors are opening," said Kina.

"How are our hats, Kina. Hard hats," said Uē.

"Yes! Put them on! Hold them tight," Kina replied.

"Whoa! Take off!" Uē squealed.

"Uēeee! You two are crazy," Tē called out.

"You'll see, Tē. We're going to another world!" said Uē.

"Yes! To Pare-ā-rau. It's a beautiful world," Kina replied.

The elevator doors closed. The room reverberated.

"Should I push the button?" asked Uē.

"Yes!" said Kina.

"Let's count together," said Uē.

"Yes! Count down from five. Ready?" Kina asked.

"Five, four, three, two, one, blast off! Yeehaaaa!" they counted together.

Blast off sounds filled the air.

"Tē, Tē, we made it, we made it..." Uē said excitedly.

"Huh?" asked Tē.

"We made it to Pare-ā-rau... come in. We want to go back there again," Uē replied.

"Pare-ā-rau! How!" Tē was amazed.

"On this spaceship," Uē replied.

"That's a spaceship?" asked Tē.

"Yes! Really!" Uē replied.

"Is it scary?" asked Tē.

"No! Come in, let's go!" said Uē.

"Yes! I want to... Yeehaaaa! I'm going to Pare-ā-rau!" Tē cried.

The elevator sounds faded away.

ESCALATOR

"Where's Uē?" asked Tē.

"Upstairs, waiting on the second floor," Kina replied.

"Is she okay?" asked Tē.

"Yes! I told her to wait at the other end of the escalator," Kina replied.

"She climbed the escalator? By herself?" Tē asked, surprised.

"Yes! She's fine!" Kina replied.

"We should get on that escalator!" Kina said.

"Yes!" Tē replied.

"Do you know why this machine is called an escalator?" Kina asked.

"Duh! Yes! Because it moves," Tē replied.

"No! Not because of that!" Kina said.

"What else, smarty pants!" Tē said.

"Because, it's a moving staircase, a staircase that moves," Kina replied.

"Moving! Stairs! Friend, don't make things up. Your nose is already long," Tē said.

"That is a moving staircase, but it's been improved," Kina replied.

"No! It's just an escalator!" Tē said.

"You're so ignorant! You don't know," Kina replied.

"Well, where are its eyes?" asked Tē.

"They've been removed, turned into maps," Kina replied.

"Huh! Into maps?" asked Tē.

"Yes! That's why some maps are called eye maps," Kina explained.

"Oww! Yes! You're right! People are so clever!" Tē said.

"I'm a genius. I'm really good at building this escalator," Kina said.

"How?" asked Tē.

"Through my genius work," Kina replied.

"What's your genius work?" asked Tē.

"Well, I chant, I clap my hands three times, then the staircase stands still," Kina explained.

"Your dreams! Do it!" Tē said.

"Watch! Escalator, move move, stand still!" Kina chanted, clapping her hands.

"Wheeeeee! Kina! The escalator stopped! How?" Tē asked, amazed.

"I'm a genius, an expert. Starting again. Escalator, move move, start moving!" Kina said, clapping again.

"Wow! You did it. Do it again!" Tē said.

"Yes! Look! Escalator, move move, stand still!" Kina chanted, clapping again.

"It stopped again! Ehhh! Amazing, Kina! You're a genius," Tē said.

"Let's start it again. Escalator, move move, start moving," Kina said.

"Ha! It's still going," Tē said.

"Wait! Escalator, move move, start moving," Kina said, clapping again.

"Maybe, your genius has run out," Tē said.

"Mmmm!" Kina grunted.

"Owww! Owww! My ear!" Uē cried out.

"Your mischief!" said the attendant.

"Whee... look, that's Uē, her ear is being held by that attendant," Tē said.

"Uē! Uē!" Kina called.

"Kina! Kina! I'm holding onto this bad person! Kina!" Uē cried.

"Hey, what are you doing to my friend?" Kina asked the attendant.

"She was messing with the escalator control button," the attendant replied.

"Kina! I was just following your instructions. When I heard three claps, I was supposed to push the button! Kina!" Uē explained.

"Oh Kina! Your fault. Genius! More like trickster. Uē's in trouble because of Kina. Genius, trickster. Ha!" Tē said.

TRAFFIC LIGHTS

"What are those lights for?" asked Uē.

"For the cars," Tē replied.

"The cars?" asked Uē.

"Yes! To control the cars," Tē replied.

"How do they control them?" asked Uē.

"It's about the coloured eyes," Tē replied.

"The colours?" asked Uē.

"Yes! If the red eye is shining, the cars must stop. If it's green, the cars can go," Tē explained.

"What about the orange eye?" asked Uē.

"That's the important colour. When the orange thing shines, the cars must go really fast. That's what my dad does," Tē replied.

"Mmm! Your explanations are easy. Who's controlling them?" asked Uē.

"In the shiny eyes?" asked Tē.

"Yes," Uē replied.

"A person..." Tē started.

"Where's the person?" asked Uē.

"It's not the person. But rather, people," Tē replied.

"Where are they?" asked Uē.

"Inside..." said Tē.

"Inside what?" asked Uē.

"Inside the head of the pole," Tē replied.

"Where...?" asked Uē again.

"Inside the head!" Tē said.

"There are people inside the poles?" asked Uē.

"Yes!" Tē said.

"But the poles are so small," said Uē.

"Yes! The people are really short," Tē replied.

"Huh?" asked Uē.

"Yes! You think about it. How else would it work?" asked Tē.

"Maybe! There are so many traffic light poles!" said Uē.

"Exactly! Thousands! So one person couldn't control all the poles," Tē replied.

"Mmm! You're right. One traffic light pole, one person," said Uē.

"Yes! It's a big job controlling those lights. If they get it wrong, all the cars crash," Tē replied.

"What about that button on the side of this pole?" Uē noticed.

"This one, the silver thing?" asked Tē.

"Yes! That one! What is it for!" said Uē.

"Push it and see," said Tē.

Uē pushed the button. "Look at the box on the head of the pole on the other side of the road."

"The thing with the person's shape!" said Uē.

"Yes! The red thing!" Tē said.

"What's that sign for?" asked Uē.

"I think, when you push that button, that sign lights up," Tē replied.

"To red?" asked Uē.

"Yes! That's a sign that the controller is stopping," Tē replied.

"What's the sign when it's green?" asked Uē.

"The sign... the person is working," Tē replied.

"You really know your stuff, Tē. Who taught you?" asked Uē.

"Me!" Tē said proudly.

"You're lucky, you understand these things. I don't..." said Uē.

"It's okay, Uē! Maybe in time..." Tē replied.

"Yes! In time... when I'm older, right..." said Uē.

"Mmmm!" Tē said.

"The embarrassing thing... for a long time, I thought those machines were controlled by a really big computer," Uē replied.

Tē laughed. "Huh?"

"Yes! Road, right!" said Uē.

"Big computer, that's a good one. It's okay, Uē, I won't tell anyone," Tē replied.

ARCADE

"Can I play?" Parāki asked.

"No, Parāki! Move over!" Tē said.

"Kina, can I play?" Parāki asked.

"No! You're too small! You're not strong enough," Kina replied.

"Hey, yes! I am strong!" Parāki said.

"No, Parāki! Move over! You're annoying," Kina replied.

"Hey, shut up! I am strong! You lot are scared of me!" Parāki said.

"Kina, you're scared, we should change machines, right," Tē said.

"Yes! I like your racing machine," Kina replied.

"I like yours too! I'm good at driving cars," Tē said.

"Me too! Me too! I'm good at driving cars," Parāki said.

"Hey, Parāki. You drive your bike," Tē laughed.

"Yeeha! I reached the highest level. Look!" Kina said.

"No! So what! I can beat you!" Tē said.

"No! You can't! You're too slow!" Kina said.

"No, I'm not! I'm not slow. Let me have a go," Parāki said.

"Parāki! You're like a fly. Really annoying," Kina said.

"Let's change, Kina. I'm done," Tē said.

"Did you reach the highest level?" Kina asked.

"No! I crashed instead. Move over, Parāki. Which car is the fastest?" Tē said.

"The red one. Choose that car. You'll win," Kina replied.

"Owww! Red car. I like red. I like the car," Parāki said.

"But you don't have any money, so you're wasting your time!" Tē said.

"I have money! Lots," Parāki said.

"No! Show me!" Tē said.

"Yes! Look. I have lots of money," Parāki replied.

Tē laughed. "Hey, Kina. Look at Parāki's money. Look!"

Kina laughed too. "Hey, Parāki. That's not money, those are just chocolate coins."

"No! This is money," Parāki said.

"You're so ignorant. Those are just circles," Tē said.

"Never mind you two. You're just jealous. I have the money. Give me the game," Parāki said.

"Do your own. Move over," Tē said.

"Wow! I'm racing. Look! Passing the people. Hit one. And another. Pass all the people. Racing!" Kina said.

"You're right, Kina. The red car is really fast. Oops!" Tē said.

"What happened, Tē. What happened?" Parāki asked.

"No long nose!" Tē replied.

"Uē! You crashed! You crashed!" Parāki said.

"So what, big mouth," Tē said.

"Tē crashed. Tē crashed! Tē crash crash!" Parāki chanted.

"I'll pull your hair," Tē said.

"Tē crash crash! I'm better than you! I know how to drive cars," Parāki said.

"Big mouth! Show me!" Tē said.

"Yes! I'll show you! Move over!" Parāki said.

"But you don't have money!" Tē said.

"I do! Here," Parāki replied.

"Eh! You'll break the machine putting your coins in," Tē said.

"Look! Watch me!" Parāki said.

"Wheeeeee! Kina! Kina! Parāki's coins are working. They're working," Tē said.

"No!" Kina said.

"Yes! Ignorant lot! I've got the steering wheel. Watch this," Parāki said.

The car took off.

"Wow! Awesome!" Parāki said.

"She's driving, Kina. She's driving," Tē said.

"Hey! Parāki, hey! Parāki the speedster," Kina said.

"Yes! I know how to drive. Drive really fast. Really fast," Parāki said.

"Whew, she's passed your level, Kina... she's passed it...." Tē said.

"Parāki the boss... yeehaaa!" Parāki cheered.

"Hit her, Parāki, hit her..." Kina laughed.

ZOO

"Hey! The lions are here! Come and look," Kina called.

"Look, Parāki, the lions," Tē said.

"They're big, right!" said Uē.

"Nice lions. They have big teeth," Parāki said.

"They're fighting," Kina said.

The lions roared.

"A fight over food, right," Tē said.

"Yes! Look, they're fighting over that meat," Uē said.

"Lions eat people," Parāki said.

"Yes! Human meat is really delicious for lions," Kina said.

"How do you know?" asked Tē.

"I read it in a book," Kina replied.

"Are lions really strong?" asked Uē.

"Yes! Really strong," Kina said.

"Big teeth. Iiii, scary. I'm scared," Parāki said.

"Not me. Hey lion! I'll eat you! I'll eat you!" Kina teased.

"Don't show off, Kina. They might get out," Tē warned.

"Get out how?" asked Kina.

"I don't know, but if they do, they'll chase you..." Tē said.

"Eeeh, I'm not scared," Kina said.

"I'm scared. I'm going. Going to see the monkeys. Monkeys are nice. They eat bananas. Not people," Parāki said.

"Who cares about monkeys, Parāki. Look at the lions," Kina said.

"No! I'm looking at the monkeys," Parāki said.

"Us two, Parāki. Let's look at the monkeys," Uē said.

"There are the monkeys. Beautiful," Parāki said.

"Monkeys! Monkeys! Look here," Uē called.

"Not like that! Monkeys don't understand. You have to talk like this," Parāki said.

"Look! The monkeys are coming to talk," Parāki said.

"Wheee! Yes! You understand monkey language?" Uē asked.

"Yes!" Parāki said.

"How?" asked Uē.

"I don't know! But I understand," Parāki replied.

"How sweet! The monkeys are sad," Parāki said.

"What are they saying?" asked Uē.

"They want to get out," Parāki replied.

"Why?" asked Uē.

"They're bored," Parāki said.

"What else?" asked Uē.

"Their dad is angry," Parāki replied.

"Which dad?" asked Uē.

"The big one at the back," Parāki replied.

"What's he angry about?" asked Uē.

"Someone ate his banana," Parāki replied.

"His banana was stolen," Uē said.

"Yes! This morning," Parāki replied.

"Mmmm! He looks grumpy!" Uē said.

"Yes! I'm helping them," Parāki said.

"What are you doing?" asked Uē.

"I'm letting them out, so they're free," Parāki replied.

"No, Parāki. The people will get really angry," Uē warned.

"Never mind! The monkeys are really sad," Parāki said.

"Parāki. No. Leave the cage," Uē said.

"Come here, monkeys. You're free. Come here," Parāki called.

"Parāki! The monkeys are getting out. Kina! Tē! Parāki let the monkeys out. Come here!" Uē cried.

SKYSCRAPER

Sounds echoed from far below.

Tē and Uē stood at the very top of the tallest building in the world.

"We're at the top of the tallest building in the world," Tē said.

"Is this the tallest building? How tall is it?" asked Uē.

"I don't know! But we're higher than all the buildings in this town. Look down there," Tē replied.

"Those cars are really tiny, right," said Uē.

"Like little ants, right," Tē said.

"No! Bigger than ants," Uē laughed.

"How do the people walking look. Look at them," Tē said.

"They seem like ghosts, like fairies... so tiny," Uē replied.

A siren wailed.

"Look! An ambulance. Its warning sound is going off," Tē said.

"Where's it going?" asked Uē.

"I don't know! Maybe some cars crashed. They're going to help," Tē replied.

"Maybe a child fell into a river, nearly drowning," Uē said.

"Yes, maybe! Wait! Listen!" Tē said.

An elevated train rumbled past.

"What's that noise from?" asked Uē.

"Look! Look! It's the train. The train," Tē said.

"Cool, right! Look at that train. It's passing right by this building," Tē said.

"Welcome! Hello! Hello, sheep!" Uē called.

"Sheep!? What's that supposed to mean?" Tē asked.

"To me, they look just like sheep being carried in trucks," Uē replied.

"Where are they being carried?" asked Tē.

"I don't know! To the shop, to buy mutton," Uē replied.

"Hey, sheep don't go to shops...!" Tē said.

"Oh, yes... they don't have money!" Uē laughed.

"Ignorant!" Tē said.

"Listen! What's that rumbling sound?" asked Uē.

"There! Look! Over there! A jackhammer. That man is breaking the concrete. Can you see?" Tē asked.

"Maybe! The man with the hard hat. The yellow hat. Does he have a tool in his hands?" Uē asked.

"Yes! Can you see?" Tē asked.

"No!" Uē said.

"Hey! There goes Pura!" Tē said.

"You're the Pura one," Uē replied.

"I'll make your eyes pop, so they're pura," Tē said.

"Tē! Stop! I'm just joking," Uē replied.

"Can you see that man?" Tē said.

"Yes! His machine is really loud," Uē said.

"It's amazing looking at the world from here. I can see the whole world. Skyscraper!" Tē said.

"Skyscraper!" Uē agreed.

They both laughed.

POLLUTED WATER

River sounds rippled nearby.

"A river! A river! Let's go swimming," Kina called.

"The last one in is a rotten egg," Tē said.

Kina did a Tarzan call. "Uē is the rotten egg..."

"Uēuēuēuēuē! Rotten egg!" Tē joined in.

"Wait, you two! Look!" Uē said.

"Oh no!" Kina said.

"Look!" Uē said.

"At what?" asked Kina.

"At the water. The look of the water," Uē replied.

"What...?" asked Kina.

"Iiii yes! Look at the water," Tē said.

"That looks really bad, Kina," Uē said.

"Never mind! It's still wet," Kina said.

"But it's dirty! Maybe it's poisoned," Uē replied.

"Poisoned!?" asked Kina.

"She's right, Kina. Look at that thing floating," Tē said.

"Where?" asked Kina.

"That thing there. It looks like a fish," Uē said.

"Prod it with a stick, Kina! To see if it's still alive," Uē said.

"Iiiiiii! This thing is an eel," Kina said.

"Drag it to shore," Tē said.

"Move over, you two, so I can drag it. One, two, three..." Kina said.

"Iiiiiiiiiii! Yuk! Look at it," Uē said.

"It's an eel!" Tē said.

"But its creepy look. Turn it over, Kina," Uē said.

"Mmm! It's been eaten by maggots," Kina said.

"What are maggots?" asked Tē.

"I know! They're the offspring of flies, insects," Uē replied.

"You're right, Uē! Those are the creepy things," Kina said.

"Where do maggots come from?" asked Tē.

"I don't know! From the dirt maybe," Kina replied.

"Yes! From the rubbish," Uē said.

"The dirtiness of the water killed this eel," Kina said.

"Mmm! But look at the water... I can see the colours of copper in it," Tē said.

"Yes! Beautiful, right!" Uē said.

"Who cares about beautiful. That thing is probably dead. I think it's oil," Kina said.

"Oil!" Tē said.

"Yes! Like car oil. It's pollution," Kina replied.

"Who put the pollution in the water?" asked Tē.

"The idiots! The fools," Uē said.

"We're lucky we didn't go in too far," Kina said.

"Yes! Otherwise, we'd be dead like that eel!" Tē said.

"Like this!" Uē made dying sounds.

"Yes! Then we'd get out of the water, all shrivelled up..." Kina said.

"Like mummies, right... really wrinkly look..." Tē said.

"Yes! Like that scary thing on TV... The Mummy!" Uē did a mummy roar.

"That's not a Mummy! That's a daddy!" Kina said.

"Daddy! Ha! That scary thing is a Mummy," Uē said.

"Why is it called a Mummy?" Tē asked.

"Dad said it! He said, the Mummy's mouth is as big as Mum's mouth. That's why it's called a Mummy," Kina replied.

"Maybe that's right," Tē said.

"Yes! Mum's mouth is open, really big, right..." Uē laughed.

"Like this!" Tē did a big mouth noise.

CINEMA

"Cinema! Cinema! I'm watching a movie," Parāki chanted.

"Hey, Parāki! People are looking at us weird," Kina said.

"Movie! Movie! Watch a movie!" Parāki chanted.

"Parāki! I'll kick your bum!" Kina warned.

"I'll tell my dad," Parāki said.

"So what! He's not here!" Kina said.

"But, but, I'll still tell!" Parāki said.

"Owww! What food do you want?" Kina asked.

"Food? Mmm! All the food!" Parāki said.

"Parāki! What food?" Kina asked.

"Aaaa, popcorn! Ice cream! Chocolate! Lollies! Lots!" Parāki said.

"Two popcorns," Kina ordered. "One really big. One really small. Two ice creams, one chocolate, one not. And two packets of lollies. One big, one small."

"Fourteen dollars fifty!" said the shopkeeper.

"Here!" Kina said.

"Thank you," the shopkeeper said.

"Big popcorn! Chocolate ice cream! Mmmm!" Parāki said.

"Wait, Parāki," Kina said.

"Where's mine? Give me mine!" Parāki said.

"Wait! Here's your popcorn," Kina said.

"Eeee! No! This is small. I wanted the big one!" Parāki cried.

"That's mine! It's still popcorn..." Kina replied.

"Eeeee! So what!" Parāki said.

"Here's your ice cream!" Kina said.

"This one! But this isn't chocolate!" Parāki said.

"That's mine. It's still ice cream!" Kina replied.

"Eeeee! Trickery," Parāki said.

"Here are your lollies," Kina said.

"But you've got the big one..." Parāki said.

"Yes! Those are mine! Because I'm the big one!" Kina said.

"You're a trickster! Mine are tiny!" Parāki cried.

"You're lucky! You still have lollies!" Kina replied.

"Eeeee! Unfair! It was my money," Parāki said.

"So what! I'm looking after you. I make the rules," Kina said.

"But it was my money. From my money box," Parāki replied.

"So what! You're lucky I agreed to bring you. That's the price," Kina said.

"Price! Tutu! Kutu!" Parāki chanted.

"I'm going in. Come here! Lift your bottom. You'll get haemorrhoids," Kina said.

"I'm going..." Parāki said.

"Yes! Follow me!" Kina said.

"Watch the movie," Parāki said.

"We should watch the action one! Shanghai Noon. Wow!" Kina said.

"Maybe!" Parāki said.

"Go in this theatre!" Kina said.

"No! I'm going to this theatre. Watch a movie," Parāki said.

"That's not the movie. This one! Shanghai Noon!" Kina said.

"No! Chicken Run," Parāki replied.

"Chicken Run! But that's boring!" Kina said.

"So what! It's still a movie. My ice cream is small. So what! It's still ice cream. My popcorn is small. So what! It's still popcorn. My lollies are small! So what, they're still lollies. It's a chicken movie. So what! It's still a movie! Chicken!" Parāki said.

SWIMMING POOL

"I'm betting you can't dive off the highest diving board," Tē said.

"Hey! I'm betting you can't either!" Kina replied.

"I can," Tē said.

"Do it then!" Kina said.

"You do it first. I said it first," Tē said.

"Hey! You said it first, so you do it first," Kina replied.

"You're scared!" Tē said.

"Scared of what?" asked Kina.

"That you'll get hurt," Tē replied.

"You're the one who's scared!" Kina said.

"Let's play paper scissors rock. The one who loses has to dive off the highest diving board," Tē said.

"Yes! You'll lose to me," Kina replied.

"Ready," Tē said.

They chanted together: "Paper scissors rock, rock paper scissors, scissors rock... Paper scissors rock, rock paper scissors, scissors rock... Paper scissors rock, rock paper scissors, scissors rock..."

"Uēeeee! I won! You lost to me. You have to dive off the highest diving board," Tē said.

"I'm not scared," Kina said.

"Well, hurry up. Do it!" Tē said.

"Yes! I'm going. Don't push me," Kina said.

"Kina, old lady, Kina the chicken!" Tē teased.

"So what!" Kina walked away.

"Climb up to the highest one!" Tē called.

"I'm climbing..." Kina said.

"Don't pee in your pants..." Tē warned.

"What's Kina doing?" asked Uē.

"Hey, Uē, good swim!" Tē said.

"Yes! The water is just the right temperature. What's Kina doing?" Uē asked.

"She's diving off the highest diving board," Tē replied.

"No! Be patient. That's a really scary thing," Uē said.

"Hey! How do you know?" Tē asked.

"I've already dived from the high one," Uē replied.

"Hey! Don't lie," Tē said.

"Be patient," Uē called out. "Go hard, Kina! Be patient!"

"Hurry up, old lady! We're waiting," Tē said.

"Uuuuuwwww! She's made it," Uē said.

"Yes! I can see her eyes popping," Tē said.

"It's too high!" Kina called.

"Hurry! We're sick of waiting," Tē called.

"I'm going..." Uē said.

"Too high! My legs are going to break!" Kina called.

"What are you doing?" asked Tē.

"I'm going down to the shallow board," Kina replied.

"Friend! Chicken!" Tē made chicken noises.

"What are you doing, Uē?" Kina asked.

"I'm diving!" Uē said.

"From the high one," Kina said.

"Yes! I really like it. My stomach flips. My heart pounds..." Uē said.

"You're not strong. You're a girl. And small," Kina said.

"Uēeeeee! The strongest girl! Dive!" Uē called, and she jumped.

Splash!

"Uēeee! No...." Kina said.

"Yeeha! Really good..." Uē said.

"Tē, are you okay?" Kina asked.

"Really good! I'm doing it again," Uē replied.

"Your strength!" Tē said.

"Huh!? This is easy... dive, Kina! Dive!" Uē called.

MUSEUM

"What is this place?" asked Uē.

"A museum," Tē replied.

"What's that?" asked Uē.

"A place that holds treasures," Tē replied.

"Holds treasures? What treasures?" asked Uē.

"Treasures from long ago," Tē replied.

"Like what?" asked Uē.

"Like Nana Kui's treasures. Cloaks. Necklaces. Earrings," Tē replied.

"Wow! That's cool!" Uē said.

"There are lots of treasures here," Tē said.

"Look! Look! What's this tool?" asked Uē.

"That's a long gun," Tē replied.

"It looks different. Old," Uē said.

"Maybe that's the gun from the cowboys," Tē replied.

"Mmmm! I don't like guns. Scary tools," Uē said.

"I like them," Tē said. She made gun noises. "Shoot the bad people."

"What about these treasures. What are these?" asked Uē.

"Those are arrows! And spears too," Tē said.

"For shooting cowboys?" asked Uē.

"Maybe! Or for shooting animals," Tē replied.

"What for?" asked Uē.

"For food!" Tē said.

"Food!? I yuk! Who would eat animals," Uē said.

"You're so ignorant! Every day, you eat animals," Tē said.

"No!" Uē said.

"Yes! You eat hamburgers, right?" Tē asked.

"Yes!" Uē replied.

"There's meat inside! From cows," Tē said.

"From cows." Uē made a spewing noise.

"Wheeee, look at this car. It's an old man's car, right," Tē said.

"Yes! A really old car. Here's the horn. Listen," Uē said.

"No! Don't honk..." Tē warned.

The old car horn honked.

"Wheeee! Hatakēhi," Uē said.

The horn honked again.

"Uē!! We'll get caught," Tē said.

"By who?" asked Uē.

"By the attendants," Tē replied.

"No way! I'm too fast at running. Like this," Uē said.

"Uē! Stop running. We'll get caught," Tē said.

"Come here, Tē, there are really beautiful clothes here," Uē called.

"Oooowww yes! Those are the clothes of queens and kings," Tē said.

"Really beautiful," Uē said.

"Really creepy to me," Tē said.

"There are lots of dresses, right," Uē said.

"Yes! So many. What if you really need to pee," Tē said.

Uē giggled. "Oops! You're in big trouble, right?"

"I'd have to take all those dresses off..." Tē said.

"Hey, an aeroplane," Uē said.

"Huh!" Tē said.

"Yes! Look. An aeroplane. How did it get in here?" Uē asked.

"I don't know! Amazing, right!" Tē said.

"It's too big to fit through the door," Uē said.

"Too big for the windows too," Tē said.

"Maybe they lifted the roof off... never mind. I'm going inside," Uē said.

"Uē!!! No..." Tē cried.

"Look here, Tē. I'm driving the aeroplane," Uē said.

"Uē!!!! Get down!!!!" Tē cried.

"No. We're flying up to the sky... we'll see..." Uē said.

"Uē!!!! Hold onto me, I'll pull your ear," Tē said.

"You're not my mum... brrrrrrrmmmmmm," Uē made plane noises.

THE BUS

"The bus is coming," Kina said.

"Uē, the bus is coming," Tē said.

"I've got eyes, I can see," Uē said.

"Have you got the ticket?" asked Tē.

"Yes!" Kina said.

"To town, the three of us," Kina said.

"Go to the back," Tē said.

"But I like sitting at the front," Uē said.

"Go to the back... now!" Tē said.

"Owwww!" Uē said.

"Hurry, Uē! Don't be annoying," Kina said.

"I'll have the window seat," Uē said.

The bus travelled on.

"Buses are cool," Kina said.

"Me too," Tē said.

"Iiii look! An old fly is on my seat. It's stuck to my pants," Uē said.

"You! That's the price for your crying," Kina said.

"But the fly is stuck to my pants..." Uē said.

"Take it off..." Tē said.

"I can't, it's really stuck," Uē replied.

"Well, take your pants off... then the problem is solved..." Tē said.

"Hey, Tē! Big mouth," Uē said.

"Big crybaby!" Tē replied.

"Tē, big mouth," Uē said.

"Uē uē, wī wi!" Tē replied.

"Kina! She's teasing me," Uē said.

"Stop it, you two. Good grief!" Kina said.

Uē whispered, "Kina! What's that cord for?"

"What?" asked Kina.

"What's that long cord for?" Uē said.

"The thing that's hanging down?" Kina asked.

"Yes! What is it for?" Uē asked.

"I don't know!" Kina said.

"Never mind, Uē! The thing is, don't touch it," Tē said.

"What if I pull it?" asked Uē.

"I don't know! Pull it!" Kina said.

"No! I should pull it!" Uē said.

"Yes! Let's see what happens," Kina said.

"Kina! Don't let her pull it..." Tē warned.

"Why? Pull it, Uē!" Kina said.

"I'll pull it. I'll pull," Uē said.

"Pull it!" Kina said.

"Here! I'm pulling it," Uē said.

The buzzer sounded.

"Hey! Who pulled the cord," the driver said.

"She's looking at you, Uē," Kina said.

"Who pulled the cord. You!" the driver said.

"She's talking to you, Uē," Kina said.

"Me!" Uē said.

"Stop your mischief. You'll get thrown off the bus. You and your friends," the driver said.

"Yes!" Uē said.

"You! Uēeeeeee! You got told off," Tē said.

"Tutu! Serves you right," Kina said.

"Uē got told off, uēuēuēuēuē!" Uē laughed.

HARDWARE STORE

"What are you buying, Parāki?" Uē asked.

"My tools," Parāki replied.

"What tools?" Uē asked.

"For fixing cars," Parāki replied.

"No! Do you know how to fix cars?" Uē asked.

"Yes! I know everything," Parāki replied.

"What's wrong with your car?" Uē asked.

"The wheel is broken. Flat. I need to change it," Parāki replied.

"Have you got another wheel?" Uē asked.

"Yes! At home," Parāki replied.

"What tools do you want?" Uē asked.

"This one!" Parāki said.

"What's that?" Uē asked.

"A wrench!" Parāki replied.

"What for?" Uē asked.

"For taking off the wheel nuts," Parāki replied.

"No! What's that tool?" Uē asked.

"A spanner," Parāki replied.

"What for?" Uē asked.

"For loosening the wheel nuts," Parāki replied.

"Are you strong?" Uē asked.

"Yes! Look at my muscles. Big, right!" Parāki said.

"Mmmm! Kind of big! For a small person," Uē said.

"I'm not small," Parāki said.

"Yes! To be honest! Your pants have fallen down," Uē said.

Parāki laughed. "Really fallen!"

"Any other tools you need to buy?" Uē asked.

"Yes! A car jack," Parāki replied.

"Car jack!? What for?" Uē asked.

"For lifting the car," Parāki replied.

"What for?" Uē asked.

"So I can take off the wheel," Parāki replied.

"Owww yes!" Uē said.

"Here are the car jacks. Look, they're like this," Parāki said.

"But that's really small," Uē said.

"Never mind. Even though it's small, it's strong," Parāki replied.

"Huh?" asked Uē.

"Like me. Small, strong," Parāki said.

"Does your dad know you're fixing the car?" Uē asked.

"No!" Parāki said.

"You'll get scolded," Uē said.

"No! I'll get praised," Parāki replied.

"Praised!?" Uē asked.

"Yes! My dad said, 'who will fix the wheel'. Well, me! I'll fix it," Parāki replied.

"Have you got money to pay for those things?" Uē asked.

"Yes!" Parāki said.

"Where? Those tools are really expensive," Uē said.

"I have it, here," Parāki replied.

"How much!" Uē asked.

"Five hundred dollars," Parāki replied.

"Five hundred dollars! Show me," Uē said.

"Here! Five hundred dollars," Parāki said.

"Eeeee friend! You're right. That is five hundred dollars..." Uē said.

"Yes! I know," Parāki replied.

"Only one problem, that's fake money, made-up money," Uē said.

"No! It's real money," Parāki said.

"From the Monopoly game, that money," Uē said.

"What's that? My brother gave it to me. It's real money," Parāki replied.

"You have it, but big trouble is coming," Uē laughed.

GARBAGE TRUCK

"What are you doing, Parāki?" Kina asked.

"I'm looking for my treasure," Parāki replied.

"In the rubbish bin?" Kina asked.

"Yes! Someone threw it in," Parāki replied.

"But there's rubbish in there. You'll get dirty," Kina said.

"Never mind! I'll wash, it'll be fine," Parāki said.

"What's the treasure?" Kina asked.

"My motorbike... the fastest thing," Parāki said.

"Yes! Motorbike! Motorbike! Where are you?" Parāki called into the bin.

"Be careful," Kina said.

"This bin is really high. I have to climb up," Parāki said.

"Be careful, you might fall in," Kina warned.

"Wheeee! I can see it. It's right at the bottom. Wait, let me reach in," Parāki said.

"Be careful," Kina said again.

"Yes! I have to reach in..." Parāki yelled as he fell in.

Something fell with a crash.

"Parāki?! I said you'd fall in!" Kina cried.

"Muffled from inside: I've got it! I've got it!" Parāki said.

"Parāki?! Are you okay?" Kina called.

"Muffled: My motorbike... wow!"

A truck arrived.

"Wheee! Parāki! The garbage truck is here," Kina called.

"Parāki! My motorbike! My motorbike!" Parāki cried.

"Parāki!!" Kina shouted.

"Hello, mate!" the man called.

"Parāki!" Kina kept calling.

"Parāki!! I'm not Parāki. You're teasing me!" the man said.

"No! Parāki," Parāki said.

"You're still teasing! Lift the bin! Ready!" the man said.

"No! Parāki," Parāki said.

"What's wrong, mate. I need to empty your bin to fix it," the man said.

"No! Parāki is inside," Kina said.

"Hey! You're still teasing. Come here... I'll fix you," the man said.

"No! My friend is inside that rubbish bin. Stop," Kina said.

"Huh!" the man said.

"Yes! My friend Parāki. He's inside that rubbish bin. Stop," Kina said.

"Lift! Stop! Lift!" the man called.

"Parāki!" Kina called.

"Yes!" Parāki said.

"Whee! It's a child!" the man said.

"I told you, but you didn't listen," Kina said.

"I thought you were teasing me," the man said.

"How are you, Parāki!" Kina asked.

"Good! I've got my motorbike," Parāki said.

"Get out," Kina said.

"I've got my motorbike!" Parāki said.

"You're lucky, Parāki. The machine nearly crushed you," Kina said.

"Huh!" Parāki said.

"Are you okay, mate. Are you still alive? You look a bit dirty," the man said.

"Yes! Your face is covered in snot," Kina said.

"Never mind! I've got my treasure. My really fast treasure," Parāki said, making motorbike noises.

THE BALL

Children played nearby.

"Hit it, Tē! Hit the ball so it flies far!" Kina said.

The ball was hit.

"You did it. You hit it. Wow," Kina said.

"It's flying really far..." Uē said.

"Wheeee, look...." Parāki said.

"Look..." Kina said.

Glass broke.

"Ooooow! Tē! You broke that house's window..." Uē said.

"Completely broken!" Parāki said, making glass breaking sounds.

"Your fault, Kina. You told me to hit the ball hard..." Tē said.

"Don't blame me... you did it!" Kina said.

"That's the old grumpy man's house," Uē said.

"Yes! Grumpy old man," Parāki said.

"You're right, Tē. That's Koro Kōhuru's house!" Kina said.

"Why is he called Koro Kōhuru?" Tē asked.

"Haven't you heard?" Uē asked.

"No!" Tē said.

"He ate four children," Uē said.

"Hey, don't make that up," Tē said.

"It's true, Tē! Koro Kōhuru! Iiii, creepy!" Parāki said.

"What happened to those children?" Tē asked.

"Talk, Kina. You tell it," Uē said.

"The children went into his yard to get their kite. They were never seen again," Kina said.

"That's it," Tē said.

"No! Some heard the children screaming. Crying really hard. And the old man was grumpy," Kina said.

"The police came! But," Uē made a slit throat sound. "Too late. The children were gone."

"No! True!" Tē said.

"Yes! True! Grumpy old man! Cannibal!" Parāki said.

"Never mind! I'm going to get it," Tē said.

"No, Uē! He'll eat you," Uē warned.

"Don't go, Tē! The stories are true!" Kina said.

"Never mind! I'm not scared," Tē said.

"Tē! Come back!" Uē called.

"I won't be long!" Tē yelled back.

"What should we do?" Uē asked.

"Pray! Tē is dead!" Parāki said.

"Follow her. I'm following her... Tē... wait!" Kina said.

"Not me!" Parāki said.

"Me!" Uē yelled. "We'll stay right here."

Tē whistled as she walked. "I've got the ball."

"No!" Kina said.

"Look!" Tē said.

"Wheeee! But, how? What about the old man!" Kina asked.

"I didn't see him! I just got the ball," Tē said.

"No!" Kina said.

"Yes! Easy. I told you, I'm not scared..." Tē said.

"Hey! You two. Tē has the ball. She just got it..." Kina said.

"Are you okay! You're okay, Tē..." Uē said.

"Tē, hey! My brave friend. Tē!" Parāki said.

"Parāki's right. You're really brave. We should tell people. Tē, the girl who defeated Koro Kōhuru," Kina said.

"Yes! Tē, my best friend..." Uē said.

WASHING MACHINE

"I'm washing my clothes," Tē said.

"Washing? How?" asked Uē.

"With this machine. The washing machine," Tē replied.

"Do you know how to operate it?" asked Uē.

"Yes! Really easy," Tē said.

"There are so many buttons," Uē said.

"I watched my mum," Tē said.

"What clothes are being washed?" Uē asked.

"These ones! Look. My pants. My shirt. My socks," Tē said.

"Puuuuu! Your socks really stink," Uē said.

"Yes! Really stinky feet," Tē said.

"How does it work?" asked Uē.

"Like this. Lift the lid. Put the clothes inside," Tē said.

"Have you got detergent?" Uē asked.

"Yes! Here. In this box. Pour in the detergent," Tē said.

"Maybe too much detergent, so the bubbles overflow," Uē said.

"Your kids too. That's a naughty thing to do," Tē said.

"Owww! You're dry. I like bubbles," Uē said.

"Finish pouring the detergent, close the lid, there, it's ready," Tē said.

"What about the buttons?" Uē asked.

"Yes! Wait, excited. Push this button first for power," Tē said.

The button was pushed and the machine powered up.

"Do you know what you're doing? The machine might explode," Uē said.

"No. Only one thing will explode, and that's your brain," Tē said.

"Huh! My brain will explode?" Uē asked.

"Boy! Your ignorance. Push this button for water. Push this one for cold water, this one for how long to wash, then this one to start..." Tē said.

The washing machine rumbled.

"Wheeee! It's started..." Uē said.

"Yes! I know, right!" Tē said.

"Really know!" Uē said.

A dog barked.

"Hello, Hongi? How are you?" Uē asked.

"Hongi, come here. Come here!" Tē called.

"Puuuu! He smells a bit," Uē said.

"That's right! Smells like poo," Tē said.

"Yes! Look. His tail is covered in poo," Uē said.

"Iiiiiii! Hongi. What did you do? Did you sit in the poop?" Tē said.

"Wash him," Uē said.

"I'm not washing the poo," Tē said.

"Maybe with the machine," Uē said.

"Machine!?" Tē asked.

"Yes! Put him inside the machine. The machine will wash him," Uē said.

"You're really right. Hongi, do you want a wash?" Tē asked.

"Stop the machine," Uē said.

The machine shut off.

"Come here, Hongi. Inside you go," Tē said.

Hongi cried.

"What's wrong, Hongi. You're being washed. You smell," Uē said.

"Don't cry. This is good. You'll be clean," Tē said.

"You'll smell nice too," Uē said.

"Wait! What about my clothes?" Tē asked.

"What?" Uē asked.

"The poo might get on my clothes!" Tē said.

"No!" Uē said.

"Yes! My clothes will get dirty," Tē said.

"Iiiiiii! Stinky feet. Dirty pants," Uē said.

"I'm stopping it," Tē said.

The machine shut off again. Hongi kept crying.

"It's your fault, Hongi. Dirty puppy. You've dirtied my clothes," Tē said.

"What's wrong, Hongi. Never mind. You're okay! Your look is really hatakēhi. Bubbles," Uē laughed. "Stinky feet. Dirty pants," she laughed again.

SHAVER

"Have you seen one of these, Tē?" Kina asked.

"No! What is that!" Tē said.

"A shaver," Kina said.

"Shaver? What's that?" Tē asked.

"A shaver! For shaving fur," Kina said.

"Fur?" Tē asked.

"Yes! The fur on the face. Like this," Kina said.

An electric razor buzzed.

"What's that noise?" Tē asked.

"From this tool," Kina said.

"How do you use it?" Tē asked.

"Give me your hand," Kina said.

"No! What for?" Tē asked.

"So you can feel it," Kina said.

"You do it first," Tē said.

"Like this! A little buzz. Give me your hand," Kina said.

"A buzz?" Tē asked.

"Yes! Give me your hand, so you can feel it," Kina said.

"Does it hurt?" Tē asked.

"No. It just buzzes," Kina said.

"Here, but really gently," Tē said.

The razor buzzed.

"Yes! It buzzes, right," Kina said.

"Yes! It doesn't hurt, right!" Tē said.

"This thing is for shaving beard fur," Kina said.

"But you don't have beard fur," Tē said.

"Yes! I know! I'm not talking about my fur," Kina said.

"What then?" Tē asked.

"I'm shaving Tete," Kina said.

"Tete! Your cat?" Tē asked.

"Yes! My cat," Kina said.

"Why?" Tē asked.

"Because he's really furry. The fur is hanging over his eyes," Kina said.

"Mmmm! You're right. Your cat is really furry," Tē said.

"Tete! Tete! Come here!" Kina called, making kiss sounds. "Good boy! Come here."

The cat purred.

"I need to shave your face. I need to shave you!" Kina said.

The razor buzzed again.

"Hold him, Tē! Be careful! His claws are really sharp," Kina said.

"Come here, Tete! Don't be scared. We're fixing your face," Tē said.

The cat cried.

"Don't cry! This is good," Kina said.

"I've started," Kina said.

The razor buzzed on.

"Hold him tight, Tē. He's wriggling," Kina said.

"It's okay, cat. You're not hurt," Tē said.

"Look at you, Tete. You're so beautiful," Kina said.

"His face can be seen, right," Tē said.

"Look in the mirror. That's you. Beautiful, right," Kina said.

"Let's go outside, right. Tete will see. Your look is really good," Tē said.

"Beautiful, Tete. Go see," Kina said.

Dad called out. "My shaver. Who's been using my shaver."

Mum screamed. "Tete! What happened to you. Your face. Owwww Tete!"

BIRDS

Children played in the park.

"Playground!" Tē said.

"Exercise park!" Kina said.

"Fun park!" Uē said.

"Park!" Parāki said.

"What's your favourite thing, Kina?" Tē asked.

"The swing. I love swinging back and forth. Wow. What's your favourite thing?" Kina asked.

"The seesaw. Up, down, up, down," Tē said. "What's your favourite, Uē?"

"The spinning hat. Spin around, bump. Spin around, bump!" Uē said. "What about you, Parāki?"

"The bird..." Parāki said.

"What?" they all asked.

"The bird..." Parāki said again.

"Which thing is that?" Tē asked.

"The bird, eh! Bird..." Parāki made chicken sounds.

"There are no chickens here," Uē said.

"Bird..." Parāki made bird sounds.

"Where?" Tē asked.

"Over there!" Parāki said.

"What do you mean, Parāki?" Uē asked.

"Watch. Like this! Bird bird come here, I'll chase you, yeeha!" Parāki said.

Birds chirped.

"Parāki, hey!" Tē laughed. "He's chasing birds."

"Be careful, Parāki. Those birds are really fierce," Kina said.

"I'm going to the spinning hat..." Uē said.

"I'm going to the seesaw..." Tē said.

"I'm going to swing..." Kina said.

Parāki made chicken sounds. "Birds birds everywhere... I'm chasing you..."

Ducks quacked.

"Ready, birds, I'm chasing you, hahaha!" Parāki said.

"Parāki! Leave the birds! You're scaring them," Kina said.

"Come here to play. The spinning hat is really good," Uē said.

"No! I'm scared! Scared!" Parāki said.

"Come here to this thing, Parāki. The seesaw is really good, up, down, seesaw!" Tē said.

"No! I'm scared! Scared!" Parāki said.

"This thing is really good. Come here to the swing. You'll fly like a spaceship. Come here," Kina said.

"No! I'm scared! Scared!" Parāki said.

"Parāki crybaby. Parāki whiner!" Tē said.

"I'm doing bird things," Parāki said.

"Come here, birds," Parāki made chicken sounds.

"Those aren't chickens, Parāki. You're so silly!" Tē said.

Parāki made more chicken sounds. "Come here, ducks. I'm chasing you!"

Ducks squawked.

"Be careful!" Tē warned.

Parāki screamed. "Waaaaahhhhhhhh!"

"What's that!" Uē asked.

"It's Parāki! He's in trouble," Tē said.

"What? What?" Kina asked.

"Wheeeee! Look!" Tē said.

"Waaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!" Parāki screamed.

"The ducks are chasing him!" Tē laughed.

"Friend, Parāki! Run, run! The duck might bite you," Kina laughed too.

"Scary ducks!" Parāki screamed.

"Parāki duck-bitten! Parāki duck-bitten!" Tē laughed.

DENTIST

Dental sounds whirred in the background.

"Kina Paraone. The dental chair is ready. Follow me," the woman said.

The door squeaked.

"Come in, boy. How are you?" Niho asked.

"I'm good," Kina said.

"What's the problem?" Niho asked.

"One of my teeth is sore. The very back one," Kina said.

"How long has it been sore?" Niho asked.

"Since last week. I was eating something, then I felt the pain," Kina said.

"Sit on the chair. Open your mouth. Wide. Mmmmm. Which one is sore. This one," Niho said.

"No (muffled)," Kina said.

"This one?" Niho asked.

"Yes, that one! Sore. (muffled)" Kina said.

"Is this sore?" Niho asked.

"Yes! Really bad! (muffled)" Kina said.

"Mmmmmm! The filling has fallen out. The root is rotten. But it's okay, I've got the medicine. Because the root is so rotten, the tooth needs to come out. Do you understand?" Niho asked.

"Yes! (muffled)" Kina said.

"Wait while I get my pliers," Niho said.

"Pliers?!" Kina asked.

"Yes! For pulling out your tooth," Niho said.

"Pulling?!" Kina asked.

Niho laughed. "No! I'm pulling your leg."

"How dare you!" Kina asked.

"I'll inject the root with sleeping medicine. So you won't feel the pain," Niho said.

"Will I get a needle?" Kina asked.

"Yes! But the pain is short. Like a bee sting," Niho said.

"Bee sting!! But that hurts!" Kina said.

"What else? Should I just pull the tooth with my pliers?" Niho asked.

"No!" Kina said.

"Should I put you to sleep?" Niho asked.

"Put me to sleep!" Kina said.

"Lie down again! Here, here's the needle," Niho said.

Kina made a small cry. "I don't like needles."

"Be strong! Close your eyes so you can't see," Niho said.

Kina cried. "I don't want to!"

"Boy! Girls are stronger than you! Be strong," Niho said.

"Mum! (crying). Owwww! Ow! Owwwww! It's a bee...." Kina said.

"Hey, boy! So embarrassing," Niho said.

Kina kept crying.

"It won't be long, it'll be over," Niho said.

"Waaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!" Kina wailed.

"With my tool, I'll pull the tooth. Calm down, friend. You're shaking," Niho said.

"Mumääääääää! Wääääääähhhhh!" Kina cried.

"Here, hold the tooth. Gently pull it out. Then you'll be really good. Yes! It's done! Drink this water. Rinse your mouth," Niho said.

Kina kept crying as she rinsed.

"There! It's done. Look at your tooth! Really rotten!" Niho said.

"This is my tooth. Iiiiiiiiiyuk. It looks really bad," Kina said.

"You're done, friend. Next week, come back so I can check it again," Niho said.

Kina came out. "Look! My tooth looks disgusting, right."

"Did it hurt?" Tē asked.

"Naaahhh! It was fine," Kina said.

"You cried," Uē said.

"Cry! No! I was fine! The dentist got his pliers, pulled out my tooth. I didn't feel a thing. The dentist is amazing!" Kina said.

"Iiiiiiiii! I'm scared. That's the haunted house. Uuuuuuwwww! Scared," Uē said.

ROLLERCOASTER

Carnival sounds rang out.

"The end of the rainbow!" Kina said.

"The fun place!" Tē said.

"The lolly-eating place!" Uē said.

"Lollies! Is that all you care about?" Kina asked.

"Yes! I really love strawberry lollies. The cold thing in your mouth," Uē said.

"Delicious to me too," Tē said.

"Yes! Delicious. But there are so many fun things at this place," Kina said.

"Never mind! I'm going to buy lollies," Uē said.

"Me too! Come here, Kina. Buy lollies," Tē said.

"I'm following. But let's not spend all our money. I want to ride the rollercoaster," Kina said.

"Yes! Come here, buy lollies," Tē said.

"Mmmmmmm! Delicious, right!" Uē said.

"Sticky!" Kina said.

"But still delicious," Tē said.

"I'm feeling dizzy," Kina said.

"Not me!" Uē said.

"I feel a bit sick too," Tē said.

"I'm buying another one," Uē said.

"Uē! You'll spend all your money," Kina said.

"No! I've still got ten dollars!" Uē said.

"Hurry! Let's go on the rollercoaster," Kina said.

"You two are biting my lolly," Uē said.

"No! I've already licked it! I've already felt dizzy!" Kina said.

"It's fine! I've had enough," Tē said.

"Mmmmmm!" Uē said.

"Hurry, Uē. Eat your lolly, so your hands are free for the rollercoaster," Kina said.

"Yes! Look! Just one gulp," Uē gulped.

"Uē! You pig!" Kina said.

"Are we ready?" Tē asked.

"Yes!" Uē said.

"Rollercoaster! Yiiiiiiiihaaaaaaaa!" Kina cheered.

"Wheeeeeeeeee! My stomach is flipping. Are you okay, Uē!" Tē said.

"Kind of! Scary, right!" Uē said.

"Rollercoaster! Yiiiiiiiihaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Kina screamed.

"It's going round!" Tē screamed.

"Wow!" Kina said.

"It's going round again. Hold on! Aaaaaaaahhhhh!" Tē screamed.

"Rollercoaster!" Kina yelled.

"Hold on, Uē! It's going down really fast......" Tē screamed.

"My stomach is dying.... dying.... hurting...." Uē said.

"Awesome!" Kina said.

"Be careful! I'm going to be sick..." Uē made sick sounds.

"Yuuuuukkkkkkkkkkk! Sick! Uē! Turn your head.... pig!" Tē said.

"Owwwwwww!" Uē groaned.

"Rollercoaster.... sickie... Uē sickie, yiiiiiiiihaaaaaaaaa!" Kina cheered.

THE MOTORBIKE

A motorbike arrived and stopped.

"Give me the spanner," Uē said.

"This one?" Kina asked.

"No! That's pliers. The spanner..." Uē said.

"This one?" Kina asked.

"Yes! Give it here," Uē said.

"Do you know what you're doing?" Kina asked.

"Yes! I'm fixing my motorbike," Uē said.

"Motorbike! That's just a bike," Kina said.

"Not to me. This is my favourite motorbike," Uē said.

"Hey! You just learned to ride," Kina said.

"So what! I'm an expert now," Uē said.

"Why are you taking the wheels off?" Kina asked.

"These are training wheels. I've finished my training. I'm ready," Uē said.

"Ready for what?" Kina asked.

"For riding down the hill," Uē said.

"Down the hill!?" Kina was shocked.

"Yes!" Uē said.

"Hey! I can't do it. You definitely can't," Kina said.

"No! You'll see soon," Uē said.

"Really! You're going down the hill!?" Kina asked.

"Yes! My motorbike is really fast. When I grow up, my job will be riding motorbikes," Uē said.

"I think you'll die," Kina said.

Crash sound.

"Hey! You're just a chicken! You're scared," Uē said.

"You should be scared!" Kina said.

"Yes! Finished! Who needs these training wheels. I'm ready to ride a motorbike," Uē said. She made starting motorbike sounds.

The motorbike started.

"Uē, do you know what you're doing?" Kina asked.

"Yes! I'm going down the hill," Uē said.

"But look at the hill. It's really steep," Kina said.

"Yes! Right! So I'll go really fast," Uē said.

"But you'll crash," Kina said.

"Never mind! I've got my hard hat. My gloves. My knee pads," Uē said.

"But..." Kina said.

"Get your motorbike," Uē said.

"No way! I should get an ambulance, for you!" Kina said.

"Chicken!" Uē made chicken sounds.

"Better a chicken than a show-off pīkaokao," Kina said.

"I'm ready. Hat is on. Gloves are on. Knee pads are on. Uē, they're on. Watch, Kina... three, two, one, go..." Uē said.

The motorbike left.

"Uē....!" Kina called.

"Steep hill, Uē the speedster! Yiiiiiiiihaaaaaa!" Uē cheered.

"Uē!" Kina cried.

The motorbike passed.

"Wooooow!" Uē said.

"Uēeeeeeee! Are you okay? Are you still alive? Uē! Are you still alive!" Kina called.

"Wooooow! My motorbike," Uē said.

"Are you okay, Uē!" Kina said.

"Kind of! The stars are still spinning!" Uē said.

"Look at your hat! It's cracked!" Kina said.

"Awesome, Kina. I felt the thrill... did you see me. Did you see how fast I was going...?" Uē asked.

"Look," Kina said.

"You're really lucky," Kina said.

"Lucky! So what! I'm going again," Uē said.

"Again!?" Kina was shocked.

"Yes! I'm going again..." Uē said.

The motorbike started again.

DRINKS MACHINE

Coffee shop sounds murmured around them.

"Do you want a fizzy drink?" Tē asked.

"No! A hot drink for me. Coffee!" Kina said.

"Coffee! Coffee is for old people!" Tē said.

"I'm old. Older than you!" Kina said.

"Hey! Get it... you've got it!" Tē said.

"I'll use this machine," Kina said.

"This machine! How do you know?" Tē asked.

"Because I can read. Here, read! Coffee Machine!" Kina said.

"Do you know how to operate it?" Tē asked.

"Yes! Really easy!" Kina said.

"How much does it cost?" Tē asked.

"Two dollars!" Kina said.

"You've got it!" Tē said.

"Yes! Wait, let me read the instructions. Place a cup under the spout. Put a two-dollar coin inside. Turn the dial for the type of coffee you want. Push the button. Wait for the machine to finish. Yes, good, easy!" Kina said.

The coffee machine whirred.

"Here are the cups. Place one. Here's my two dollars. Put it in. Push the button for coffee with milk. Yes. Wait for the machine to finish. Yes, no problem!" Kina said.

"That's good, right!" Tē said.

"Look! The drink is pouring out. Wow, right! Go hard, keep flowing, fill my cup. It's still flowing, it's still flowing. My cup is full," Kina said.

"Look! The drink is still flowing. It's overflowing..." Tē said.

"Hey! Wheeee! You're right. Never mind. Get another cup! We get extra coffee. Lucky, right!" Kina said.

"Take yours," Tē said.

"Look! A second cup of coffee," Kina said.

"Kina! The spout is still flowing," Tē said.

"It's fine. Get a third cup," Kina said.

"The machine is breaking," Tē said.

"Broken! What should we do!" Kina asked.

"Get your drink, hurry. Leave the machine," Tē said.

"But look. The flow is getting stronger," Kina said.

"Wheeeeeee! Kina! You probably broke it," Tē said.

"Me! No! Go tell the man," Kina said.

"You! You broke it," Tē said.

"I didn't break it," Kina said.

"Hey! You two! What are you doing?" the man said.

"The machine is broken! The drink keeps flowing... overflowing..." Kina said.

"You're an idiot! The machine is broken. Look at that sign. This machine is broken. Leave it!" the man said.

"Hey! Kina! You didn't read that sign," Tē said.

"I didn't see it," Kina said.

"Listen. The machine is rattling," Tē said.

"There's smoke coming from the back," Kina said.

"It's going to explode," Tē said.

"Move away, you two," the man said.

"Kina! You! Owwwwwwww! Yooooouuuu!" Tē cried.

"Your fault! The machine is really broken now!" the man said.

The machine banged and exploded.

"Owwwwwwww Kina! Yooooouuuu broke it!" Tē cried.

MODEL AEROPLANE

"Your model aeroplane is really beautiful, Uē!" Tē said.

"Mmmm! My dad bought it..." Uē said.

"It's really big too!" Tē said.

"Yes! Half a metre long for the wings. Half a metre long for the body," Uē said.

"What's that tool you've got?" Tē asked.

"A kind of computer for controlling it," Uē said.

"Huh! How does it control it?" Tē asked.

"I don't know! Push this button, then the propeller starts spinning. Then the aeroplane flies," Uē said.

"What about the fuel?" Tē asked.

"No fuel. It's electric," Uē said.

"Oow!" Tē said.

"Here, hold the plane. Hold it like this. Hold the body. Be careful of the propeller," Uē said.

"Hold it like this," Tē said.

"Yes! Hold it tight. You'll feel the propeller spinning fast, then let go," Uē said.

"Should I throw it?" Tē asked.

"Just a little throw! Just let it go!" Uē said.

"Watch me. I'm doing it right," Tē said.

"Yes! Are you ready?" Uē asked.

"Yes!" Tē said.

"Don't forget. Just let it go. I'm pushing the button. Ready. Three, two, one... push," Uē said.

The model airplane started.

"The propeller is spinning," Tē said.

"Wait until it's spinning really fast," Uē said.

"Ready? Ready?" Tē asked.

"Almost. Ready, ready, let go..." Uē said.

"Let go..." Tē said.

"Yes! Good. It's flying..." Uē said.

"Wheeee! It's flying!" Tē said.

"Watch! With this stick, control it... turn right..." Uē said.

"It's turning right..." Tē said.

"Turn left..." Uē said.

"Wow, it's turning left," Tē said.

"Fly wobbly... fly up, fly down, fly around..." Uē said.

"Can I drive it? Me?" Tē asked.

"Yes! Hold this controller. Have you got it?" Uē asked.

"Yes!" Tē said.

"Drive it!" Uē said.

"Yippppeeeeeee! I'm driving it..." Tē said.

"Turn right..." Uē said.

"Right, left, up, down...." Tē said.

"Be careful of that tree... be careful... don't crash...." Uē said.

"Near miss..." Tē said.

"Hey, Kina is over there..." Uē said.

"Kina! Look! I'm driving the aeroplane," Tē said.

"Chase her, Tē! Chase her!" Uē laughed.

"Kina! Look. I'm going to chase you!" Tē said.

"Whooooosh! You nearly hit her head," Uē laughed.

"Again, right!" Tē laughed.

"Be careful! She looks angry," Uē said.

"What are you two doing. Fire burn us!" Kina said.

"Look, it flew between her legs," Tē laughed.

"Awesome, Tē! You're a really good driver. Again! Again!" Uē said.

"You two! Stop! Leave me alone!" Kina said.

Uē and Tē laughed loudly.

THE FINGER

Water ran in the sink.

"Can you do this?" Tē asked.

"What?" Kina asked.

"Do your lolly like this. Balance it on this part of your tongue. Whistle away! Like this! There!" Tē made whistling sounds.

"Yes! I can. Watch. There!" Kina made whistling sounds.

"Again! But faster!" Tē made more sounds.

"Wheeeeee! My lolly dropped!" Tē said.

The lolly dropped into the sink.

"Iiii! It fell into the washing basin," Kina said.

"It's fine!" Tē said.

"Leave it! It's dirty," Kina said.

"No! I still want it. It's really stuck. Wait! Almost got it! Owwww! My finger!" Tē cried.

"What?" Kina asked.

"My finger got stuck in the drain," Tē said.

"Pull it!" Kina said.

"I'm pulling. But it's really stuck," Tē said.

"Go hard! Pull!" Kina said.

"I can't! It's really stuck," Tē said.

"It's fine! I've got the fix," Kina said.

"What?" Tē asked.

"Wait!" Kina said.

"What are you doing?" Tē asked.

"I'm getting the... KNIFE," Kina said.

"Knife?!" Tē asked.

"Yes! To cut off your finger," Kina said.

"No!" Tē said.

"I've got a sharp knife. Knife! Sharp! Chop chop!" Kina made slit throat sounds.

"Kina! Stop that!" Tē said.

"Pull it out! If it's still stuck, I'll chop it," Kina said.

"Kina!" Tē cried.

"Chop it so the blood flows. Rip it, tear it, chop it, hahaha!" Kina said.

"Kina! I'll tell your dad," Tē said.

"Chop it!" Kina said.

"I'll tell...!" Tē said.

"So what! I've got the solution. The soap will free your finger," Kina said.

"Soap?" Tē asked.

"Yes! Rub your finger with soap, so it slides out," Kina said.

"Ooowww! Yes! Right!" Tē said.

"Here's the soap. Wet it with water," Kina said.

The tap ran.

"There! Pull it now," Kina said.

"It's still stuck," Tē said.

"Should I chop it?" Kina asked.

"No! Soap my finger again," Tē said.

"Yes! How is it now?" Kina asked.

"Really slippery now. Yes. It moved a little. Oooowwwwwwch! It's out! My finger is out," Tē cried.

"You! I told you, leave that lolly. Serves you right!" Kina laughed.

CONSTRUCTION SITE

Bulldozers and trucks rumbled.

"I really love the tractor," Uē made tractor sounds.

"The dump truck is the coolest to me," Kina made truck sounds.

"The flatbed truck is fine," Tē made truck sounds.

"What's that thing. The thing lifting those tools," Uē asked.

"That's a crane. Its job is lifting," Kina said.

"Its job is lifting heavy things," Uē said.

"Yes!" Kina said.

"Is that thing strong enough to lift an elephant?" Uē asked.

"I think so," Kina said.

A pneumatic drill hammered.

"What's that really loud noisy thing. What's its job?" Tē asked.

"That's a jackhammer," Uē said.

"Jackhammer?! But it's hammering the concrete," Tē said.

"Yes! Its job is breaking the concrete," Uē said.

"What for?" Tē asked.

"So they can take away the concrete," Kina said.

"Look at that thing," Kina said.

Another truck rumbled.

"Is that a wrecking ball swinging?" Tē asked.

"Yes! I think so," Uē said.

"That thing is for demolishing the house," Kina said.

"Look! The ball is swinging," Tē said.

"That ball is really heavy," Uē said.

"Because of the weight, the house gets demolished," Kina said.

"Look. That wall has been demolished," Tē said.

"Dust is flying. This work is really dirty," Uē said.

"That's what a construction site looks like," Kina said.

"This is a construction site? It looks like a demolition site," Tē said.

"The ground is being cleared, right? In time, they'll build a new house," Uē said.

"Look at my truck. It's carrying the rubbish," Kina said.

"It's just like the toy trucks Parāki has," Tē said.

"The ones in his sandpit, right," Uē said.

"Yes! He's got all these tools," Kina said.

"What about that type of truck. What's its job?" Tē asked.

"Maybe an excavator, like a digger. Look at the front, it's got a long arm, a digging tool," Uē said.

"The digger is going down, digging the earth. You're right, Uē, it's an excavator," Tē said.

"There are lots of people, right," Uē said.

"Maybe a hundred of them," Kina said.

"They're all hardworking," Tē said.

"Who do you think is the boss, the leader?" Uē asked.

"Mmmm! That man! The one giving instructions with his hands," Kina said.

"The one with the short stick?" Tē asked.

"Yes! He's giving instructions to the drivers," Kina said.

"To me, that other man is the boss," Uē said.

"The crane driver?" Kina asked.

"Yes! He's got the biggest machine. So he's the boss," Tē said.

"To me, that other man is the boss," Uē said.

"The one sitting?" Kina asked.

"No! He's not doing anything!" Tē said.

"Yes! Because he's the boss. The head. His job is thinking," Uē said.

"Eeehh! You don't know," Kina said.

"You neither! Peanut brain!" Uē said.

"Peanut brain," Kina said.

"Peanut is better than peanut," Uē said.

"Yes! Like you're a monkey!" Kina laughed cheekily.