Fables from Samoa

As with all the islands, Upolu is full of legends.

Where is Upulo?
Describe the environment of Upulo?
What do the people in Upulo look like?

The one that I especially liked was about the origin of the coconut tree. The islanders tell the
story of a girl named Sina whose beauty was reported to a Fijian king.
Who is the current leader of Fiji?
What is the Fijian term for King of Fiji?
What work did the king of Fijis job include?

So fascinated was the king that he decided to marry Sina. To help him win her he changed
himself into an eel and swam to Upolu.
How far did the eel swim?
How many miles?

The eel became Sinas special pet, but when it began to make passes at her she
understandably got frightened and fled. The fable has its variations, but essentially the eel is
said to have chased Sina from island to island until he was worn out. In his last breath the eel
confessed his love to Sina and that he was really a king. The eel promised that if Sina would
bury him in front of her Upolu home he would always provide her with shade, food and drink. So
Sina watched a snakelike plant grow out of the grove, watched it throw out shade-giving fronds
and strange fruit.
Draw a Coconut Tree. Label the portion of the tree that
would provide Sina shade, food and drink. Draw that
layers and patters that show up on the coconut tree and its many
parts.

This was, of course the coconut tree, and every time she drank from it she knew she was
kissing her royal lover.

How is this version of the story different from the one we are reading?

How did you imagine Sina and the Eel? Draw it.