Another version of Sina and the Coconut tree. The Origin of the Coconut Tree In Laloata, a village behind Apia, there lived a married couple and their daughter Sina. One day, the mother went to draw water. A Small eel clung to her bowl. She took the eel home and gave it to Sina to look after. The girl was happy to have such a nice pet. She put it into a wooden bowl and fed it everyday. The fish grew and before long, it was too large for the bowl. Then the gir1 put it into a pool near their home. The eel still grow. When it was full grown, it fell in love with Sina, but the latter did not respond. The fish insisted, so the parents took their daughter and ran away with her. The eel followed them. Then the man said to his wife, “Try to escape with the girl whilst I stay behind to roll mountains in the eel’s way.” This was done, but the fish climbed over the mountains. The mother then said to her child, “Keep on running; I will stay behind and hold off the fish.” The girl ran but, looking back, she saw that the eel still followed her. Sina then escaped to Savai’i and reached Safune. She fled inland to a pool called Siliafai. She hid there. When she looked down, she saw the eel staring at her. The girl said, “Don’t you dare stare at me, you slimy thing!” Then Sina escaped to the side of the pool where the chiefs lived. When she arrived there, the chiefs were just having a kava party. They asked the girl what the trouble was. Sina replied, “Please, won’t you kill that eel that is pursuing me.” Forthwith the eel was killed by the villagers. Before it had breathed its last, it took leave of Sina with these words: Sina, if you love me, Plant me near a stone wall A tree will grow and thrive and bear fruit Single fruits and fruits in clusters. There will be leaves: Weave them into white fans and mats, As a reminder to Sina of my return. When the eel was dead, it was eaten by the people. Sina took the head and buried it in front of her house. After a few days, a tree the coconut tree began to grow. When it bore fruit, the eel’s parting words were realized. The two hard eyes in the coconut are the eel’s eyes; the eye that is pierced for the purpose of drinking the coconut juice, is its mouth; in the midst of the three eyes is the eels nose. The coconut leaves are woven into fans and mats, Whenever Sina drinks a coconut, she meets the eel. The village of Laloata (Under-the shade) derives its name from the shade given by the coconut tree. #owner
Posted on: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 12:19:26 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015