Maui and the Giant Fish
Long ago, a brave boy named Maui lived by the sea.
Maui had big brothers who went fishing without him.
One night, Maui hid inside their long wooden canoe.
He wanted to show them he was a great fisher.
The next morning, the brothers paddled far out into the blue ocean.
They did not see Maui hiding under the floor.
When they were far from home, Maui jumped out.
His brothers were very surprised to see him.
Maui took out his special fish hook.
It was made from the magic bone of his grandmother.
He put some blood on the hook for bait.
Then, he threw the long line deep into the dark water.
Soon, something very big grabbed the hook.
The canoe began to shake and rock.
"Help me!" Maui cried to his brothers.
They all pulled on the heavy line with all their might.
Up, up, up came a giant fish from the deep sea.
It was so big that it became a whole new land.
The giant fish became the North Island of New Zealand.
The long canoe became the South Island where they stood.
Maui and his brothers had found a beautiful new home.
They looked at the green hills and smiled.
- canoe:
- A long, narrow boat that is moved through the water using paddles.
- magic:
- Having special or unusual powers that cannot be easily explained.
- bait:
- Food or something else used on a hook to attract and catch fish or other animals.
- might:
- Great power, strength, or force.
- island:
- An area of land that is completely surrounded by water.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Where did Maui hide before his brothers went fishing?
- 2Why did Maui hide inside the long wooden canoe?
Where this passage belongs
About this short story passage for Lower Elementary
“Maui and the Giant Fish” is a short story reading passage about Maori Legends, written for Lower Elementary. It takes about 1 minute to read (206 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.