Long ago the sky rested on the earth. Plants and bushes flattened their leaves and pushed and pushed, raising the sky a little. Still the world was dim and dark for the sun could not be seen. Still men had to creep and crawl about.
“This is not good!” said Māui. He braced himself and pushed the sky up to the treetops. “Now men can stand and walk about.”
Still the world was dim and dark. “I’ll push it higher,” Māui cried. He braced himself and tossed the sky up to the mountaintops. There, that was better!
But still the world was dim and dark. “One more push is needed!” Māui said, and lifted with his mighty strength. He tossed the sky up where it is today. Now the sun could come bringing light and warmth.
Sometimes the clouds come low and rest upon the mountains. Rain pours down. But not for long, for the sky knows if it should press upon the earth as in the old days, Māui would come again. And he would toss it up so high it never could come back!
From Māui, the Demi-god by Westervelt