I will tell the story of the Kingfisher which was told to me by the old people. Kingfisher used to be human. And when he was human he used eat what he would catch from the river. He would catch fish with a little spear about this big. It was about the size of what would later become his beak So he took that [spear] and went and caught [fish] in the river. So as he was perched there looking to the side like this. As he sat there [a fish] would be coming along and he would take his spear and tsak! he would spear it. As he was spearing and eating fish he heard a sound from downriver, "tupúk, tupúk" and then a woman arrived. And when he looked he saw that she was a woman with hair on the tips of her feet (otter woman). "What are you doing," she asked? "I am just here fishing and eating," he said. "Oh," she said. So why is it that there are not so many fish close to where you are? she said. They don't come because they can't see you. If they saw you in white they would come out of curiosity If you startled them by looking good you would catch fish. Tie a white cloth around your neck!" she said. So he tied a white cloth around his neck. Now I am going she said and she left. Now they will be impressed with me as a fisherman he thought as he sat by the edge of the stream. As he was thinking that a catfish passed by right before his eyes. And tsak! He speared it and ate it. When the fish saw him (the kingfisher) it asked. "Why do you have such a narrow throat?" "I tied this white cloth on my neck so that it would look bigger to you" he said. "When I saw that I came closer to see what was tied around your neck like that," said this fish. As he was saying this another fish passed close by and tsak! he caught it. Thinking about that she (otter woman) turned and sent [fish his way] they say. When she turned she wanted to send more {fish.. When he looked back he saw that the woman had again turned away going down river. Laughing happily she went diving and surfacing. "Come back here! he called her You were right when you said that the fish would notice me if I wore white. I caught all of these! he said. (Before I met you) this morning I waited here and only caught two. I sat by the shore like that and now look! I ate till I am stuffed! "It is because of you that I caught of all this," he said (to Otter Woman). Yes. Since that is the case. Since you are someone who doesn't eat. Since you just eat two (little fish) you are you are all skinny" she said. I don't want to take away your food so I will just take one. You eat! she said. "No." He said "With what you have given me I will eat a lot. You take this" they say he said. So after saying that she agreed and took (the fish). And as she was taking them she said "Although I am going some day we will meet again." So that woman left. When (the kingfisher saw that he also went (in that direction). And as he was going they say he saw that A man was going along. And then they say that (that man) asked (kingfisher)"Where are you going?" I am looking for that woman that said she was going down river. When (kingfisher) said he was looking for a woman (the other man said) "Go straight downriver and turn this way," they say he said. If you go straight that way (cutting through the forest rather than following the bends of the river) that is where the woman is he said. Yes he said and began to cut through the forest. And as he began to go through the forest a man arrived. When he came and looked he saw fish! fish! Look! Look! There was no one. It was then that they say Siuka arrived. They say that man was a Siuka. They say he was looking for food. Take this (Otter woman said)! But looking at them half of the fish were rotten. Then that Siuka came, that man came. When he saw (Siuka) Kingfisher hid. "He is going to beat me up," he thought. They say that that Siuka was a big man. "This guy is going to beat me up and accuse me of being in love with this woman," he said so he hid. So after he hid he gathered all of the good fish together and threw the rotten ones over there. Then Siuka man said "Sister, share some with me." "Take some if you want," she said. "This is the kind of food I like to eat" he said, (turning to the rotten fish). So then they say he ate that raw rotting fish Siin! siin! siin! siin! So as he was eating he said, Sister did you catch these yourself? No. I was given these they say she head. "Who is this guy (who gave you the fish?). Introduce me to him!" they say he said. I want to make him my brother so that he might give me fish. I am not able (to fish) they say he said. I used to have a (magic) stone. But that stone was taken away from me. So now I have been left unable to fish. I am going to die of hunger. So he said "Ok," That is all he said. He ran ahead climbing. Then they say he hid and then suddenly his face appeared. There he stood all by himself. It was that man. Then she said "Come here!" There is a man who wants to meet you." "They say he wants to make you his brother," she said. "He is just saying that to deceive. I am scared," While he is saying he likes me he is going to kill me. If he grabs me here he will cut me right through. He will bit me neck (off), they say he said. So then, he answered "No. Come! While I am looking you are not going to have you throat slit." "While I am looking, before my eyes you have become my brother," they say he said. Then, since he said that they say he came. Fearfully, fearfully he came following the river channel. Since he was a tall man and (the kingfisher) was little they say he looked up at the tall guy with fear. Brother! The fact that I look big doesn't mean anything. And you are a little guy but you catch all that fish. That is the kind of guy you are. "I just look like a tall guy," he said. I am a man whose [fishing] luck is jinxed. With that explanation they became brothers even though he was scared. When they became brothers he said, "Don't get mad at me brother. When I catch [fish] I will give you some," he said. Since that is how it is and he is that kind of man... Ever since they became brothers the kingfisher catches (fish) and then siuka takes them and eats them. Ever since they became brothers the kingfisher shares with siuka. That is all he eats, since he is lazy.