Matariki Seven Sisters

Once a time long ago in a beautiful valley there lived seven sisters who were making kites for harvest. The first sister made a green kite from the harakeke bush. The second sister made an orange kite from the raupo bush. The third sister made a pink kite from the manuka tree. The fourth sister made a red kite from the puriri tree. The fifth sister made a blue kite the colour of the river. The sixth sister made a white kite from the toetoe bush. The seventh sister and the smallest sister made a colourful kite. Her name was Matariki. The seven sisters took their kites to the top of a hill to fly their kites. Sadly there was no wind so the sisters tied their kites to the puriri tree and went to sleep. During the night the wind blew and the kites flew away. Matariki said oh no our kites have gone where are our kites the sisters woke to the sound of crying it was matariki. The sisters looked everywhere for their kites. Up in the sky the kites danced among the stars. The sister were so pleased to see their kites shining brighter than the stars matariki. Each night matariki rose in the night sky signalling the start of the new year. The end.