Pourquoi Story

How Music Came to Samoa.

Through the mist of time, past the seven seas and through the horizons, a couple: Masina and Fetuao traveled the seas, hoping to discover a land of beautiful flowers, white sand, and a place where they could make their dreams come true. Along with their two children Rangi a 10 year old boy and his little sister Sefina a 8 year old girl, they traveled through the days, stilling searching of a land of hopes and dreams

After days of traveling, the family approached an island of everything they dreamed about at night. The white sand was shimmering under the hot sun, the flowers had rain drops on their petals. The water was clear and a baby blue colour. Palm trees were swaying in cool summer breeze. There were children playing around, and the adults talking to one another, or doing work inside the fales.

The family was overjoyed and decided to look around. After wandering around the island for some time, they all met up at the middle and Fetuao made an announcement to his family:

“We are going to live here. This is our home now.” He declared. Rangi and Sefina was so happy that they held each other’s hands and began jumping around in circles.

Days had passed since the family moved to Samoa, little Sefina was playing around near the beach, collecting shells when from the corner of her eyes she caught a glimpse of something shiny. Carefully, she walked slowly to the piece of item and very carefully picked it up. Lifting it up to eye level, Sefina examined the piece of object. The item was made of wood, it was long and had nine holes in it. It was a flute! Sefina had cleaned it and let it dry for the whole day.

The next day, Sefina had brought the flute home and showed her family.

“Mother! Father! Look what I found!” The little girl shouted as she ran into the fale. Masina and Fetuao were in the kitchen making lunch, her brother was on the floor playing with his toys.

“What is it, Sefina?” Masina asked as she and Fetuao walked out of the kitchen. Sefina waved the flute in the air like a flyer.

“What is that?” Rangi asked, eyeing the flute, suspiciously.

“It’s a flute.” Fetuao answered, and Masina nodded. Sefina blew into the flute and a whistling noise came out of it. Her eyes flew wide, her mouth a gape . She started blowing into it again, this time placing her fingers on top of the holes one by one; testing the sounds each hole makes.

After days of practise, Sefina started playing the flute around the village and performing in front of people. One hot day, as Sefina was performing when suddenly Fa’atiu -the god of the wind- appeared, with a roar.

“Who dares play the flute?” He hollered as his red eyes grew wide and glowed. He let his eyes search for his new prisoner.

“YOU!!!” Fa’atiu shouted as he pointed towards Sefina.

“How dare you play the flute?!” He demanded with venom leaking from his words. Making the ground quivver, the waters to shake and the winds to rattle.

“Why? Why am I not allowed to play the flute?” Sefina asked, narrowing her eyes.

“Because I don’t like it.” Fa’atiu said stubbornly as he crossed his arms.

“What gives you the right to tell us what to do? Just because you don’t like the sound of music, doesn’t mean that everyone can’t enjoy it.” Sefina stated as she crossed her arms, stood tall and glared at Fa’atiu.

Fa’atiu glared back, then smirked at Sefina.

“Well, looks like I can’t stop you all from playing the flute,” He lowered himself to the ground, walked towards Sefina and held his hand towards her,

“So how about a truce, hmmm?” He suggested. Sefina, thinking that he actually meant it, shook hands with him.

“I’m sorry, I was being rude to you.” She apologised, giving him a sincere smile.

“Don’t be. Since I’ll be taking the flute for myself.” Fa’atiu snatched the flute and flew off to the underground, laughing wickedly.

“Come on, there has to be some way to the underground.” Sefina begged, but the villagers all shook their heads.

“Will you at least help me?” She asked, as tears welled up in her eyes.

“I will.” Came a strong voice from the crowd. It was her brother, Rangi. He looked around, but no one else joined. They all looked terrified and shaken by the arrival of Fa’atiu.

“Come Sefina, I’ll take you to the underground.” Rangi said as he led the way. Sefina followed close behind. The two of them walked to the top of a mountain and through the dark green rainforest. Near the top of the mountain, was a towering wall of rock. Rangi and Sefina stopped. Rangi called out to the rock:

“Rock open!” Sefina couldn’t believe her eyes as the rock divided slowly into two. Rangi and Sefina entered the gap as quickly and silently as they could. There, right before their eyes they saw the wondrous underground world of the god: Fa’atiu.  Sefina spotted her flute amongst the pile of musical instruments. Grabbing it quickly,

“Let’s go, Rangi. Before Fa’atiu see us.” Too late. The god had spotted them.

When Fa’atiu saw the flute in Sefina’s hand, he lost his temper. Screeching with fury, he lunged at Sefina. Rangi stood in front of her, protecting her from Fa’atiu. Rangi leapt at Fa’atiu and began to wrestle her. The ground shook as the two fought. At last, using both of his hands, Rangi grabbed Fa’atiu’s arms and pinned them to her back. Fa’atiu was enraged.

“LET ME GO!!!” He shrieked. Rangi shook his head.

“I’ll let you go, only if you let us play music in Samoa.” He tightened his grip so that Fa’atiu couldn’t escape. Fa’atiu was forced to agree.

“All right,” He said.

“You can take those instruments along with you.” Rangi let go of the beaten god and walked back home with musical instruments in his and Sefina’s arms.

From that day on, Samoans were able to have music and dance on their island. That was how music came to Samoa.

This is my Pourquoi story about how music came to Samoa. I found out that a Pourquoi is a mixture of explanation and narrative to explain something to the audience in a entertaining way.