Aroha was sad because Tia the taniwha was always mean to her at school by stealing her apple at morning tea. Her sister told her to push Tia in the mud to teach her a lesson, but Aroha fell in the mud instead. Her Koro then suggested asking Tia to play, which Aroha thought was a crazy idea but she did it anyway. To her surprise, Tia said yes and they played happily together at lunchtime. Aroha realized Tia just wanted a friend to play with and was no longer mean after that.

1. Aroha and the
Taniwha

2. Aroha walked to school slowly and sadly, feeling very
worried. Tia the Taniwha was always mean to Aroha.
Aroha didn’t like Tia being mean to her one bit.

3. Sure enough, at morning tea time Tia the
Taniwha came and snatched Aroha’s apple off
her.

4. That night Aroha told her sister about Tia the
Taniwha taking her apple while Koro had a doze.
Aroha’s sister said, “Push that Taniwha in the mud
and that will teach her a lesson.”

5. The next day Aroha went to school ready to push Tia
the Taniwha. But as she walked towards her she
tripped and fell in the mud. Tia the Taniwha laughed!

6. That night Aroha talked to her Koro about Tia the
Taniwha. “You should ask the Taniwha to play with you
at lunchtime,” said Koro. Aroha thought he was crazy!

7. But at lunchtime, Aroha bravely asked the Taniwha
to play with her. The Taniwha says yes! Aroha and
the Taniwha played happily all lunchtime.

8. Aroha was so happy that Tia was no longer a
Taniwha. She had just wanted a friend to play with!

9. By the Middle School Teachers