center stage Call It Courage

Mafatu always feared the sea. Until one day ...

Adapted by Bryon Cahill from the novel Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry, winner of the 1941 Newbery Medal for excellence in U.S. children’s literature • Illustrations by Eili-Kaija Kuusniemi

Narrator 2: This story happened Mafatu’s fear: It was the sea that Mafatu: Look, Mother. crashes against them. Young Mafatu, but someday, someday I CHARACTERS many years ago, before the trad- I dreaded. I had been surrounded Mafatu is terrified. will claim you! (main characters in boldface) Narr 2: Mafatu points to the ers and missionaries first came to by it since birth. The thunder quickening darkness. His mother Narr 3: The raging current Narr 2: The fishermen pass Narrators 1, 2, 3, 4 the South Seas, when the Polyne- of it in my ears. The crash of it is shocked by what she sees. The pushes them toward shore. Mafatu on the beach. Their Mafatu’s fear sians were still great in numbers upon the reef. The threat and storm is coming fast. Mafatu’s mother is beaten and sons accompany them. Mafatu and fierce of heart. fury of its storms! Mafatu Mother: We must hurry, Mafatu. dying. With her last ounce of watches, as he always does, as Narrator 3: Even today the Mafatu: When I was 3, my energy, she carries her son to the men and boys of the village Mafatu’s mother people of Hikueru sing this story mother took me out to the Narr 3: Mafatu’s mother grabs shore. She picks up a cracked get in their canoes and paddle Moana, the sea god in their chants and tell it over the barrier reef pools to search for the oars and paddles hard. But coconut and manages to press out to do their day’s work. the tide turns suddenly, and their Kana, a village boy evening fires. It is the story of sea urchins. It was late aftenoon, the cool, sustaining meat to her little canoe is thrashed by waves. Narr 3: Fishing is the village’s Mafatu’s courage Mafatu, the boy who was afraid. and the fishermen in other child’s lips. And then she dies. main source of food. It is the canoes were turning back. They Mafatu: Mother! Village boys 1, 2, 3 Narrator 4: They worshipped Mafatu’s fear: Moana, the sea people’s livelihood. And cour- shouted warnings to my mother Tavana Nui, Mafatu’s father courage, those early Polynesians. Mother: Hold tight, Mafatu! god, took her. But I was spared. age, above all, is respected and The spirit that had urged them as they went. It was hurricane honored. Mafatu knows that, but Narr 4: The storm reaches them Narr 4: For years after his across the Pacific in their sailing season, and they were certain there is nothing he can do. He is at breakneck speed. The waves mother’s death, Mafatu awakes canoes, before the dawn of re- one was on the horizon. terrified of the sea. are too great. Their little canoe screaming many nights. He SCENE 1 corded history, still sang its song Mafatu’s mother: Do not listen capsizes. avoids the sea at all costs. Narrator 1: In the heart of the of danger in their blood. to them, Mafatu. It is a beautiful Narr 1: Mafatu’s mother grabs Narr 1: South Pacific Ocean, just about Narr 1: But the boy Mafatu, son day. Not a cloud in the sky. Here, On the rare occasion vocab let me help you with your net. hold of her son as they are both he does get close to the water’s * halfway between South America of Tavana Nui, the great chief plunged into the raging sea. CAPSIZES: overturns and Australia, lies a very small of Hikueru, had always been Mafatu’s fear: I looked up, past edge, he imagines hearing the Mother: Mafatu! Hold on to me! sea god call to him. LIVELIHOOD: a means of supporting island called Hikueru. Today it is afraid. In his blood sang the the surrounding cliffs. The sky one’s existence part of French Polynesia. song of fear. was darkening. Narr 2: The storm violently Moana: You cheated me once,

4 READ October 1, 2010 October 1, 2010 READ 5 SCENE 2 Village boy 2: Not all of us will and, without giving another go. Not Mafatu! thought to fear, pushes off. Narr 4: Everyone sees Mafatu as the scared little boy who contrib- Village boy 3: Ha! He is afraid! Mafatu’s courage: The lagoon utes nothing. Kana: He makes good spears. was as untroubled as a mirror. Noiselessly, I propelled the canoe Narr 1: Mafatu wants desperate- Village boy 1: Ho! That is forward, sending it half a length ly to help his village in any way woman’s work. ahead with every thrust of my that he can. He spends his time Village boy 2: Mafatu is afraid of paddle. weaving nets for the fishermen the sea. Mafatu’s fear: As I drew nearer and avoiding other boys. Village boy 3: He will never be a to the barrier reef, the thunder Narr 2: The one boy who is warrior. of the surf increased. The old, friendly to Mafatu is Kana. Some- familiar dread of it sunk in my Kana: I have tried to be friendly times, Kana stays behind with stomach’s pit. Mafatu when the other boys go to him. But he is good only Narr 1: Mafatu’s hands tighten fishing with their fathers. for making spears. Mafatu is a coward. on the paddle. For a second, he Kana: The bonitos have begun almost turns back. But then he Narr 1: The boys disappear to run, Mafatu. sees his albatross, Kivi, flying down the moonlit beach. Their high above him, guiding him. Mafatu: Yes. laughter floats back on the night Kana: My father brought back air. Mafatu stands still. Mafatu: Kivi! You have come along on this adventure with us! word from the reef today. Al- Mafatu’s fear: Kana had spoken. My heart is lifted! ready there are bonitos out there. He had voiced, once and for all, Tomorrow we boys will go after the feeling of the tribe. I, Mafatu, Narr 2: The bird circles slowly in them. That’s our job. It will be whom my father had once called the moonlight, then heads out to fun, eh? Stout Heart, was a coward. the open ocean. Mafatu grips the steering paddle and follows. Narr 3: Mafatu’s knuckles Mafatu’s courage: That’s when whiten. His ears pound with I made up my mind. A fierce the swift fury of the sea. Kana, resentment flowed through me. SCENE 3 seeing that he is scared, starts to I knew in an instant what I had to that I could hear the sound of its Narr 4: Uri just looks at Mafatu lows, greenish in the slopes. Like Narr 3: Day breaks over a gray walk away. do: prove my courage to myself, breathing. with curious dog eyes. advance scouts of an oncoming and dismal world. Mafatu looks and to others, or I could no lon- army, wind gusts moved down Mafatu’s courage: I wanted to back over his shoulder, searching Narr 1: Mafatu opens one of the Narr 1: Suddenly, the wind picks ger live in their midst. upon our canoe, striking at it cry out to him, “Wait, Kana! I’ll for the last glimpse of Hikueru, green drinking nuts and tilts his up. head back to let the cool liquid savagely. go! I’ll try!” Narr 2: Mafatu walks with pur- his home. But the island has Mafatu’s fear: Storms in the trickle down his parched throat. Mafatu: Spare us, Moana! Mafatu’s fear: But the words did pose to his hut. There, he finds vanished. South Pacific frequently come his dog, Uri. not come. Mafatu’s courage: I was out Mafatu: Would you like some out of nowhere. I was very Mafatu’s courage: Somehow, food, Uri? young when the sea god took my the sound of my own voice Narr 4: Later in the evening, the Mafatu: We’re going away, Uri. there. I was doing it. Me. The boy mother, but I remember how fast reassured me. I guided our small boys’ fathers all boast about their Off to the south there are other who was afraid. Narr 2: Mafatu scoops out some islands. gelatinous meat for his pup, the weather turned. canoe well and with a skill I did sons. Mafatu’s father, Tavana Nui, Narr 4: The sea is calm for not know I possessed. is silent. He is ashamed of his Narr 3: Together, Mafatu and Mafatu at first. As he paddles, he who eats it gratefully. Narr 2: A light drizzle quickly boy. Uri head off to the shore’s edge. meets all sorts of sea creatures. Narr 3: The boy looks to the sky, turns to hard rain and blasts Mafatu flings half a dozen green Mafatu’s sail. vocab Village boy 1: Hikueru is too Mafatu’s courage: Flying fish searching for Kivi. * drinking nuts and his fish spear BONITOS: mackerel-like fish poor. There are only fish from the broke the water, skimming away Mafatu: There are hundreds of Mafatu’s fear: A heavy squall into a canoe. Then boy and dog RESENTMENT: a feeling of displea- sea. A man must be fearless to in a silver shimmer of flight. A birds in the sky, Uri! Perhaps came upon us, and the waves board the tiny vessel. sure toward something provide food. We will all go— dolphin sped after us, smooth- thousands! Kivi could be any one got higher. All around us was GELATINOUS: resembling jelly every one of us! Narr 4: He picks up a paddle, rolling in its pursuit, so close of them or none at all! tumbling water, gray in the hol-

6 readREAD September October 4,1, 20102010 October September 1, 2010 4, 2010 READ read 7 Narr 3: The sky darkens. A burst with terrifying accounts of such from a pool of clear water just up his tusks. And when I return to of lightning lights up the sea places, where the inhabitants the beach. The boy shuffles over Hikueru, men will look up to me with supernatural brilliance. An were savage and would kill you to it and drinks cautiously. with respect and say: “There instantaneous crack of thunder without a second thought. Narr 1: Uri is with him, drinking goes Mafatu. He killed the wild shatters the world. Mafatu’s courage: I didn’t know at the pool. boar single-handed!” And Tavana Narr 4: The storm rages on for whether the stories were true. Nui, my father, will be filled with Mafatu: There is so much to do, pride. hours, but Mafatu manages to All I knew was that I was head- Uri! We need fire and food. keep his canoe afloat. The storm ing toward land. I would deal Mafatu’s courage: The prospect very slowly weakens in the night. with whatever lay ahead when I Narr 2: His thoughts of survival of returning home set another When it finally subsides, the arrived. are broken by one of sheer hap- train of thought in motion. boy is exhausted from struggling piness. Moana: Someday, Mafatu. Some- Mafatu: I must find a tree for against the currents. He believes day. Mafatu’s courage: We were alive. my canoe. he hears an old, familiar voice ringing in his ears. Narr 4: Mafatu pushes the sea Mafatu: Uri! We’re alive! It wasn’t Narr 2: Mafatu walks through the god’s voice out of his head and all a bad dream. It really hap- woods. He notices that some of Moana: Someday, Mafatu, I will quickens his paddle. pened! the banana trees have recently claim you. Narr 1: Night falls once again. As Mafatu’s fear: And then another been stripped of their fruit. Narr 1: In the morning, the sun is Mafatu gets closer to the island, thought rushed in on me: the eat- Mafatu’s fear: This was evidence warm on Mafatu’s sleeping face. a wave lifts his canoe and flings ers of men. What if it was their He wakes and sees Uri look- enough that someone else was it forward. The boat crashes into island? What if they were watch- ing out at something in the far on the island. Again, the terrible splinters, and Mafatu and Uri are ing me from their secret places in distance. thought of the eaters of men hurled headlong into the surf. the jungle? Biding their time? crossed my mind. Mafatu’s courage: It was land! Mafatu’s fear: The shock of the Narr 3: Mafatu scans the trees Mafatu’s courage: But still, I Mafatu: Uri! Uri! It’s land. Land! cold water kept me from falling and sees no one. He looks down walked on. into unconsciousness. But as I and sees no sign of footprints. Narr 2: Mafatu scans the sky Mafatu: Maui, god of fishermen, swam weakly toward shore, Uri and sees Kivi flying in front of Narr 4: A flash of green and hear me! I shall return one day, was nowhere to be found! them, leading them to some purple parakeets flash across I swear it. My father, Tavana strange shore. Mafatu can hardly Mafatu: Uri! Uri! Where are you? the sky and vanish. Mafatu sees Nui, will be filled with pride at believe it. Mafatu’s courage: The beach coconuts and other fruits in the my homecoming. It is a vow Narr 3: All through the day, was still out of reach. I pushed trees. that I take now, oh Maui. I have Mafatu paddles toward the great onward with what little energy I Mafatu’s courage: Because I was spoken. mountainous shapes in the had left. famished, I climbed a tree and Narr 3: With Uri at his side, distance. He never takes his eyes knocked down some fruit. Mafatu comes to a clearing in the off his destination. Narr 2: At last, Mafatu feels his feet touch sand. All the world Mafatu’s fear: I carefully scaled woods. There, he is confronted Mafatu’s fear: We had traveled seems to hold its breath as the down the coconut tree to my by a grotesquely ugly idol. southwest for two days. I knew boy climbs out of the sea. He prize. Greedily I sank my teeth Mafatu’s fear: At the idol’s feet that much. But as to what island stumbles slowly out of the water into the rosy pulp. As I was eat- was before me, I did not know. and crashes on the land. ing, a wild boar rushed right past Mafatu: Is it Tahiti, Uri, the Narr 3: Through half-closed eyes, me. * vocab golden island? Or could it be one the boy sees his dog running Mafatu: Uri! Did you see that? SUBSIDES: becomes quiet, lessens of the terrible dark islands of the toward him. INHABITANTS: permanent residents eaters of men? Narr 1: Uri barks after the boar of a place as it runs away. Mafatu’s fear: Of course I had FAMISHED: extremely hungry heard the stories of the dark SCENE 4 Mafatu: I will hunt down that IDOL: an object that represents a islands. On Hikueru, all the Narr 4: In the morning, Mafatu boar and kill him, Uri! I will make subject of worship boys would tease one another wakes. He sees Kivi drinking such a necklace for myself from

8 readREAD September October 4,1, 20102010 October September 1, 2010 4, 2010 READ read 9 were … bones. A lot of bones. work on our canoe, Uri. And that remains of the skeleton of a Piles of bones. Bones too large what a canoe we will build! Deep whale. for dogs. Bones too large for pigs. and strong, but light—as swift Mafatu: Uri! We are rich! Look It was then I understood. and powerful as a shark’s tail. But at all the bones! We can make Mafatu: This is motu tabu, Uri. A first … shelter. knives and fishhooks and darts forbidden island. It is here that Narr 4: Mafatu tears down some and spears. Come help me drag the eaters of men make their ter- giant fronds from a nearby tree these bones home. rible sacrifices to their god. and sets them up to serve as a Narr 4: When the arduous task Narr 4: Though he is scared, roof over his head. of dragging the whale bones Mafatu tries to remain calm. It Mafatu’s courage: I had fire. I back to his shelter is finished, is evident that the savages have had shelter. I had food. I had Mafatu sets about sharpening been here recently. Piles of ashes faced Moana, the sea god. I had them into tools and weapons. rest at his feet, undisturbed by dared the eaters of men to win Mafatu: Let the eaters of men wind. my spear. There was a newfound come to me now, Uri. I will be Mafatu’s courage: And then I confidence in my heart. I had ready! found a new belief in myself. I saw it. At the base of the giant Mafatu’s fear: True, I was feel- statue was a platform. And on went to sleep that night at peace with myself and my world. ing invincible, but part of me that platform rested a spearhead. was still scared. Had I really Mafatu: Dare I take it, Uri? We outgrown being the boy who is could use it as a hunting tool or a SCENE 5 afraid? Or was I just acting out weapon against attack! Narr 1: In the morning, Mafatu a story in which I was a hero? If Mafatu’s fear: But what if the begins building his canoe. He the eaters of men had attacked eaters of men are watching? spends the entire day carving me then, would I have fought trees and bamboo. bravely or merely cowered be- Mafatu’s courage: Then let them fore them? watch. Grab it! Mafatu’s fear: As I worked, my mind returned again and again to Mafatu’s courage: I like to think I Narr 1: Mafatu’s heart is pound- would have killed them all. ing. His fear and his courage are the wild pig I was determined to Mafatu: Wild pig! I, Mafatu, have Mafatu: Ai! I have killed him! Do Mafatu’s courage: I sang at the arguing for control over him. kill. My entire being seemed to Narr 1: As Mafatu’s two sides For a second, he is powerless to have changed from frightened to are vying for position within come to kill you! you hear me, Tavana Nui? I, your top of my lungs that night. I was all Polynesian now, charged with move. … something else. him, his thoughts are suddenly Narr 4: The boar charges. Foam son, have killed a boar! Ho! Ha! the ancient fierceness of my Mafatu’s courage: How could interrupted by a beast of another flies from its tusks. Mafatu braces Narr 3: Uri comes trotting over Narr 2: Mafatu takes a deep nature. race. Victory coursed through I go back to Hikueru without a himself. He meets the charge from the far end of the beach. breath, grabs the spearhead, and my veins. There was nothing I boar’s tooth necklace? Why, that Mafatu: The boar! with a perfectly timed thrust of makes a run for it. Mafatu: A fine one you are! would not have dared. necklace was as important as a Narr 2: The wild boar comes his spear. Where were you when I needed Mafatu’s courage: I ran all the canoe! For by that token men Narr 2: Using his sharpest whale- charging at the boy. Mafatu Narr 1: The spearhead goes deep way to the beach without looking would know my strength and you? Off chasing butterflies? bone knife, Mafatu skillfully jumps out of the way, and the into the boar’s shoulder. Mafatu back. courage. Narr 4: Mafatu teases his dog, removes one of the boar’s tusks boar crashes through his shelter, is thrown off balance and sent Narr 3: Now that Mafatu has a but he is in too good a mood to and makes a necklace of it. Narr 2: Mafatu spends many knocking it down. spinning. Over and over he rolls. spearhead, he is feeling more days building his canoe and be cruel. confident. Narr 3: Mafatu wastes no time. Narr 2: Mafatu leaps to his feet keeping his eyes open for the Narr 1: Mafatu gathers some He clutches his spear and chases in a panic, defenseless. But the * vocab Mafatu’s courage: That took wild boar. after the pig. Halfway down the bamboo, quickly makes a boar topples, gives a shudder, FRONDS: large leaves courage, ai, courage! That night, Narr 3: One morning, Mafatu beach, the pig turns and stares crude sled, and loads the boar’s and lies still. ARDUOUS: difficult I made fire and danced around wanders far down the beach and Mafatu down. The boy stops in carcass onto it. He then drags the flames. INVINCIBLE: incapable of being comes across a sheltered cove. his tracks and prepares to meet Mafatu’s fear: I was struck dumb. the pig back to his campsite defeated Mafatu: Tomorrow we shall start Gleaming there in the sun is all his foe. I had killed a wild pig! and cooks it.

10 read READ September October 4,1, 2010 2010 October September 1, 2010 4, 2010 READ read 11 11 closer and closer, I saw a crowd sionaries first came to the South had assembled on the shore. Seas, when the Polynesians were They were cheering and waving still great in numbers and fierce me in. of heart. But even today the Narr 4: A strangled cry breaks people of Hikueru sing this story from the boy. He shuts his eyes in their chants and tell it over n tight, and there is a taste of salt, evening fires. wet on his lips. Write About It Narr 1: When the canoe reaches shallow waters, all the island Do you have any fears? boys jump in and help escort Mafatu conquered his fear Mafatu in. of the sea by sailing off Kana: Mafatu! You are alive! You into it. Imagine your piece have conquered your fear! of paper as your ship to courage, and write away Mafatu’s courage: My father, your fears! What exactly Tavana Nui, was smiling at me. do we mean by that? Well, Mafatu: My father, I have come that’s up to you! One of the home. great things about writing Mafatu’s courage: And then my is that it can be extremely Mafatu: Now, Uri, we can go tricks on me. But the drumming Mafatu’s fear: The canoes got I soon began to see a hint of father beamed at me. personal. You don’t have home. got steadily louder and louder closer and closer. There were six Hikueru in the distance. to share your work with Tavana Nui: Could this brave until it could not be ignored. of them behind the first, each anyone if you don’t want Mafatu: Do you see, Uri? Here figure, so thin and straight, with filled with 10 warriors. They to. However, if you wish, Mafatu: The eaters of men! we come, at last, to our home. the fine boar’s tusk necklace and SCENE 6 were a sight to quake the stoutest you can send your piece the flashing spear and courage Narr 2: Mafatu’s heart is pound- heart. Narr 2: Mafatu chokes back a to word@weeklyreader Narr 3: The next morning, Ma- blazing from his eyes be my son? ing in his chest. Uri is barking tear. Uri barks with glee. .com. Who knows? We fatu works steadily at his canoe. Narr 4: The chase goes on all at the wind. Their canoe speeds Narr 2: Far overhead, Kivi might publish your piece By noon, it is finished. He drags night long. Mafatu never tires. He Mafatu: Moana, you sea god! across the sea. catches a light of gold on its on our blog, WORD, at it down the beach and places it in fights bravely to keep going, and, You! You destroyed my mother. wings, and Tavana Nui turns to www.readandwriting the water. Mafatu’s fear: I flung a desperate by morning, he comes to notice Always you have tried to destroy his people and says … .com. We’re here to inspire Narr 4: Uri jumps in the boat, look over my shoulder. Four dark that his pursuers have slowly me. Fear of you has haunted my you—to help you find your and the boy follows. High above, figures were gaining on me. And begun to fall back from him. sleep. Fear of you has turned my Tavana Nui: Here is my son that was just in the lead canoe! people against me. But now … come home from the sea. careful words of expres- Kivi sails with widespread wings. Narr 1: The drums fade into the Behind that one were several now I no longer fear you! Mafatu, Stout Heart. A brave sion. Whether or not you Mafatu’s courage: As I paddled distance behind him. Mafatu can others! name for a brave boy! send us something, we away from that island, I felt as if I hardly believe it. He has outraced Mafatu’s fear: Here I take my hope you will give this were a new person. I was proud. Mafatu: Maui! Do not desert me! the eaters of men! He is free! bow. Narr 3: The entire village now exercise a shot. cheers for the boy who was once And I looked forward to greeting This last time—lend me your Mafatu: We did it, Uri! We did it! Narr 3: The small canoe makes afraid. *Also, when you get a my father. help! its way slowly to Hikueru’s shore. Mafatu’s fear: Looking back, I chance, look up the word Mafatu’s courage: Overwhelmed Narr 1: As day turns to night, Moana: The time has come, Ma- wonder whether the eaters of Mafatu: Do you hear me, catharsis in the dictionary with joy, I swayed where I stood. Mafatu hears something that fatu. I will claim you. men were really pursuing me. Or Moana? I am not afraid of you! if you don’t already know sounds like drums from behind Narr 3: Mafatu pushes the sea was it just my irrational fear tak- I laugh at you! Do you hear? I Mafatu: My father, I … what it means. him. god’s voice out of his head and ing hold of me one last time? laugh! Narr 4: Tavana Nui catches his From CALL IT COURAGE by Armstrong Sperry. Mafatu: Do you hear that, Uri? paddles to save his life. Mafatu’s courage: Whatever Mafatu’s courage: Uri, whimper- son as he falls. Copyright © 1940 by Simon & Schuster, Inc., copyright renewed © 1968 by Armstrong Sperry. Reprinted by Mafatu’s fear: At first I thought it Mafatu: Not yet, Moana! You the case, foe or fear, I outran it. ing softly, crept to my side. Kivi, Narr 1: It happened many years permission of Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s was just my imagination playing haven’t won. Not yet. And as that last day dragged on, above, soared. As Hikueru got ago, before the traders and mis- Publishing Division

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