Remains to Be Told by Lee Murray

Author:Lee Murray
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Clan Destine Press
Published: 2023-11-03T02:02:40+00:00

The campfire crackles and spits as the old man places another branch of mānuka on the burning pile. Orange sparks dance skyward in pursuit of the spiralling plume of smoke. The two children lie by the fire, wrapped in sleeping bags and rugs, the glow from the blaze flickering in their sleepy eyes. Remnants of the night’s dinner is scattered on the ground before them – greasy plastic plates, charred sticks that had held sausages, then marshmallows, over the flames, and shredded tinfoil that still houses some potatoes, slow-cooked in the embers.

The old man reaches into his poncho, removes a thin bone flute and raises it to his lips. He blows softly on the kōauau, releasing a mournful tune into the air. His long fingers make subtle movements over the holes, causing the notes to waver slightly.

The boy listens, transfixed by the plaintive melody.

The old man lowers the flute and nods to the sky and then to the trees that surround the campsite. The song has ceased, but the magic it conjured remains, filling the air with its invisible aura.

The boy breaks the silence. ‘Koro? Can you tell us a story?’

‘I just did, young one. Well, it was an oriori. Lullaby.’

‘I want a scary story.’

The old man smiles. ‘Tama, if I tell you a scary story, you’ll be up all night. And we can’t be having that. This old timer needs his beauty sleep.’

‘Yeah, so does Tama, cos he’s U.G.L.Y,’ the girl teases.

‘Marie, please.’ The old man’s voice is warm but firm.

She lowers her eyes. ‘Sorry, Koro.’

‘Yeah shush, dunghead,’ the boy teases his sister.

Before she can retaliate, the old man raises a leathery hand in warning. ‘Quiet now. Or you might wake up the mighty Kumi lizard.’

The girl’s eyes widen.

Seeing he has their attention, the old man continues, ‘Kumi lizards are supposed to be extinct, but some say they still live out there in the bush – watching, waiting.’

‘Waiting for what, Koro?’ the girl asks.

‘For someone to violate the sacred laws of the forest or break tapu by taking that which is not theirs. And then–’ He pauses for dramatic effect. ‘And then the Kumi come. And they get very hungry you see, as there are only small creatures to eat in the bush. Birds and bugs. The odd possum. But chubby tamariki like you would make a tasty feast indeed.’ He smacks his lips theatrically.

The children giggle nervously.

‘Tama would be eaten first. He’s the chubbiest!’ The girl laughs at her brother.

‘Shut up,’ the boy wails. He picks up a cold, uneaten potato and threatens to throw it at his sister.

The old man’s hand goes up once more, commanding silence. His left eyebrow rises at the same time, indicating his displeasure. The boy sheepishly puts the potato down.

‘The Kumi are placated by the songs of the bush. They don’t want to hear the trivial bickerings of tamariki.’

‘I think they must be extinct, or someone would have seen one,’ the girl says earnestly.

‘Some say they retreated when man cut down the trees to make cities, towns and farms.

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