Before mountains rose and winds wandered, there was only Rangi, the Sky Father, and Papa, the Earth Mother, locked in a warm, eternal embrace. Between them was darkness, and their children lived crushed in that shadow, longing for light.
The children whispered among themselves. “Let us separate our parents,” said Tāne, god of forests, “so light may enter and we can walk the world.”
But Tūmatauenga, god of war, snarled. “Better to slay them than live half alive.”
Tangaroa, god of the sea, shook his head. “Better to wait; darkness is stillness.”
Only Tāne stepped forward. He lay on his back, placed his feet against his father’s chest, and pushed with all his strength. The groan that followed was the birth cry of the world. Rangi was lifted to the heavens, Papa remained below, and sunlight poured through for the first time.
Light blinded them with its beauty — but joy did not last. When Rangi and Papa realized they had been torn apart, their grief filled the air.
Rangi’s tears fell as rain. Papa replied with mists rising from the earth. Each longed for the other but could never touch again.
Their children watched and wept. Even Tāne hung his head. “We wanted light,” he said, “but we have made loneliness.”
Then Rangi spoke from above: “Do not grieve, my children. From our parting comes the space for life to grow.”
Papa answered: “Our love will feed you. My body will bear trees and roots; your father’s tears will water them.”
So it was that plants sprang from the soil, rivers flowed from the mountains, and the rain became a song between earth and sky.
But Rangi never ceased weeping. The stars are his eyes, watching Papa through the dark. And each morning, when the sun rises, his tears glow gold for a moment before falling as dew.
The people say that when rain meets mist, Rangi and Papa are kissing once again — their love renewed in every storm.
Moral of the Story
From separation comes life. Love’s grief can be creation itself when it nurtures what remains.
Knowledge Check
- Who were Rangi and Papa?
The Sky Father and Earth Mother who embraced before the world was formed. - Why did their children separate them?
So that light and space could enter the world. - Which child performed the deed?
Tāne, the god of forests and life. - What did Rangi’s tears become?
Rain — his grief for Papa. - What did Papa’s mist represent?
Her answering love and sorrow rising to the sky. - What is the story’s lesson?
Creation and love are bound by sacrifice; from loss can grow abundance.
Origin: Māori cosmogonic tradition, Aotearoa (New Zealand)
