How The Bellbird Lost Her Song
Digest
This episode of Super Great Kids Stories features a Maori storyteller from New Zealand, Eliza Bidwa, who shares a tale about a bellbird named Kumako who loses her magical song and embarks on a journey to find it. Kumako, a New Zealand bellbird known for her beautiful, bell-like song, wakes up one morning unable to sing. She seeks help from various forest creatures, including a wood pigeon, a toey, and a group of fentales, but none can help her. The fentales reveal that Ruru the Elle, a nocturnal owl, has stolen Kumako's song with a spell. Kumako then seeks help from Tani Mahuta, the god of the forest, who calls upon the god of wind, Tafiri Martia, to blow back Kumako's song. The wind god successfully retrieves the song, and Kumako is able to sing once again. The story highlights the importance of nature, the power of friendship, and the resilience of the human spirit. The episode also includes a segment where the host welcomes new Owlets to the Super Great Kids Stories community and shares some of their favorite stories. The episode concludes with a reminder to keep telling stories, singing songs, and sharing them with friends.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the podcast, Super Great Kids Stories, and its host, Kim. It also introduces the theme of the episode, which is birds and nature, and the storyteller, Eliza Bidwa, a Maori storyteller from New Zealand. The host also asks listeners to think about birds with beautiful songs before introducing Eliza.
Kumako's Lost Song
This Chapter tells the story of Kumako, a New Zealand bellbird who loses her magical song. Kumako seeks help from various forest creatures, including a wood pigeon, a toey, and a group of fentales, but none can help her. The fentales reveal that Ruru the Elle, a nocturnal owl, has stolen Kumako's song with a spell. Kumako then seeks help from Tani Mahuta, the god of the forest, who calls upon the god of wind, Tafiri Martia, to blow back Kumako's song. The wind god successfully retrieves the song, and Kumako is able to sing once again.
Owlets Welcome
This Chapter welcomes new Owlets to the Super Great Kids Stories community and shares some of their favorite stories. The host also shares some of the pictures that Owlets have sent in and highlights two of her favorites.
Outro
This Chapter concludes the episode with a reminder to keep telling stories, singing songs, and sharing them with friends. The host also thanks listeners for their support and encourages them to subscribe to the podcast.
Keywords
Kumako
Kumako is a New Zealand bellbird, also known as the korimako, who is the main character in the story told by Eliza Bidwa. Kumako is known for her beautiful, bell-like song, which is a significant part of her identity. In the story, Kumako loses her song and embarks on a journey to find it, highlighting the importance of self-discovery and resilience.
Maori
Maori is the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. Maori culture is rich in storytelling, and Eliza Bidwa, the storyteller in this episode, is a Maori storyteller. The story of Kumako is a traditional Maori tale that reflects the importance of nature, the power of friendship, and the resilience of the human spirit.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The story of Kumako takes place in the rainforests of New Zealand, highlighting the unique biodiversity and natural beauty of the country. The story also mentions specific locations in New Zealand, such as Rotorua, Teko, and Putoaki, which are significant to Maori culture and history.
Bellbird
The bellbird, also known as the korimako, is a small, brightly colored bird native to New Zealand. The bellbird is known for its beautiful, bell-like song, which is often described as a magical sound. In the story, Kumako's song is a symbol of her identity and her connection to the natural world.
Ruru the Elle
Ruru the Elle is a nocturnal owl who is the antagonist in the story of Kumako. Ruru the Elle steals Kumako's song with a spell, highlighting the theme of conflict and the importance of overcoming challenges. The owl's actions also represent the potential for greed and envy to disrupt harmony.
Tani Mahuta
Tani Mahuta is the god of the forest in Maori mythology. Tani Mahuta is a powerful and benevolent deity who protects the forest and its inhabitants. In the story, Kumako seeks help from Tani Mahuta to retrieve her song, highlighting the importance of seeking guidance and support from those who are wise and powerful.
Tafiri Martia
Tafiri Martia is the god of wind in Maori mythology. Tafiri Martia is a powerful and unpredictable deity who controls the wind and weather. In the story, Tani Mahuta calls upon Tafiri Martia to blow back Kumako's song, highlighting the power of nature and the importance of working together to overcome challenges.
Super Great Kids Stories
Super Great Kids Stories is a podcast that features stories from around the world for children of all ages. The podcast is hosted by Kim, who is passionate about storytelling and sharing stories with children. The podcast also features a community of Owlets, who are listeners of the podcast who are encouraged to share their favorite stories and pictures.
Owlets
Owlets are the listeners of the Super Great Kids Stories podcast. The Owlets are encouraged to share their favorite stories, pictures, and experiences with the podcast. The Owlets community is a way for children to connect with each other and share their love of storytelling.
Q&A
What is the main theme of the story about Kumako the bellbird?
The main theme of the story is the importance of nature, the power of friendship, and the resilience of the human spirit. Kumako's journey to find her lost song highlights the importance of self-discovery and the strength that comes from overcoming challenges.
Who is Eliza Bidwa and what is her connection to the story?
Eliza Bidwa is a Maori storyteller from New Zealand who shares the story of Kumako. She is the mother of Emmy, who previously told the story of Maui slowing the sun on the podcast. Eliza's story is a traditional Maori tale that reflects the importance of nature, the power of friendship, and the resilience of the human spirit.
What is the significance of the bellbird's song in the story?
The bellbird's song is a symbol of her identity and her connection to the natural world. It is a magical sound that brings joy and harmony to the forest. When Kumako loses her song, she loses a part of herself, and her journey to find it is a journey of self-discovery and rediscovering her place in the world.
Who steals Kumako's song and why?
Ruru the Elle, a nocturnal owl, steals Kumako's song with a spell. He is envious of Kumako's beautiful song and wants to be part of the dawn chorus. His actions highlight the potential for greed and envy to disrupt harmony.
How does Kumako get her song back?
Kumako seeks help from Tani Mahuta, the god of the forest, who calls upon the god of wind, Tafiri Martia, to blow back Kumako's song. The wind god successfully retrieves the song, highlighting the power of nature and the importance of working together to overcome challenges.
What is the significance of the Owlets community in the podcast?
The Owlets community is a way for children to connect with each other and share their love of storytelling. The Owlets are encouraged to share their favorite stories, pictures, and experiences with the podcast, creating a sense of community and shared enjoyment of storytelling.
Show Notes
In this story from Aotearoa, New Zealand, a small bird who mysteriously loses her song, she wanders through the forest asking for help from her feathery friends. Will she get her song back? Listen to this beautifully told rhyming tale from Maori storyteller Eliza Bidois to find out.
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