Long ago birds were invisible. Men could hear the whir of their wings and listen to their songs, but the birds themselves no one could see—no one but Māui.
One day a visitor came from another island and challenged Māui to a boasting contest. A crowd gathered and listened with delight as each man boasted of his island—its mountains, waterfalls, and forests.
“I must win!” thought Māui, and aloud he said, “I’ll prove to you that we have something here that you have never dreamed of.” Secretly he called the birds. They lighted all about on trees and bushes and filled the air with song.
The boastful visitor was silent while the crowd listened in wonder. “Spirits!” they whispered.
At last, using his mighty power, Māui caused them all to see the little feathered singers. The boastful man exclaimed, “O Māui, you have won! In my island there is no such wonder.”
Ever since that day birds may be seen as well as heard.
From Māui, the Demi-god by Westervelt