eoha, a canoe maker from Hilo, had come to Puna. The trail was long, the day hot, and now Keoha stood looking longingly at a bunch of coconuts in a treetop.

A fishermen happened by and said, “Aloha, stranger! What are you looking at?”

“Those coconuts,” replied Keoha, “Their cool milk would moisten my dry throat, and the meat of a tender young nut would taste very good.”

“Come with me,” the fishermen invited. “I have many coconuts and shall give you all you want.” Keoha went gladly. The walk was long and tiresome, but Keoha thought eagerly of the good food and drink that waited for him at the end of the journey. He hurried to keep up with the younger fisherman. At long last they stopped beside a grove of tall coco palms. “Okay stranger,” he said smiling, “there are the coconuts. Help yourself!”

There were indeed, but they were high in the tree tops! Years ago the Keoha could have climbed one of these coconut palms, but not now. “Thank you. I’m no longer thirsty.” he said as he walked away.

A short while later Keoha passed a coco grove where young boys were climbing trees and picking fruit. You are welcome to join us for lunch! they called out. They all sat and feasted on coconuts while the old canoe maker told the boys wonderful stories of adventures in the islands. They became great friends and Keoha visited often, trading stories for coconuts.

Years later the fishermen walked into the shed where the Keoha made his canoes. “My small fishing canoe was destroyed in a storm,” he said. “I need another. Do you have one?”

The old canoe maker looked around. “Not here. These are all promised,” he answered, speaking truly. “But there is one in the forest. Meet me early tomorrow, and I shall show you.”

At first light, carrying food and water the two men took to the trail. The day grew hot and long, but they climbed on for the fisherman was eager to see his new canoe. At last they reached the part of the forest where the tall koa trees grew. These were strong trees whose trunks can stand the beat of waves and the scratch of rocks and pebbles. The canoe maker looked from one to the other of the great trees as he said, “Here, fisherman, are many canoes. Help yourself!”

Hawaiian Folk Tale
Exerpted from Tales of the Menehune
by Mary Kawena Puku’i

Book O’ the Week

A Short Course in Kindness:
A Little Book on the Importance of Love and the Relative Unimportance of Just About Everything Else

by Catherine Ryan Hyde

A thoughtful and thought-provoking collection of anecdotes, insights, humor, sadness, and wisdom about what true kindness is, and how to embrace and express it in our daily lives.

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Dear Hearts,

What goes around comes around! Always, always, always, in one way or another.

Make it a kind and helpful week.

Love and blessings,

Rick and Patricia

Namaste

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