Australasian bittern

Throughout his boyhood, he wondered why, but it was not until he had grown up that his mother told him.

"Years ago," she said, "when you were but a baby, the wicked goblin Matuku stole your father away.

I have never seen him since.

It was a heavy sorrow to me, but I could do nothing to save him, for I am but a woman, while Matuku is a goblin." "I am a man now.

I will find my father," said Rata.

"See, I am strong, and my heart is fearless.

Tell me where Matuku lives." The mother smiled proudly at her eager son.

"Yes," she said, "you are strong, and your heart is fearless, but Matuku is a goblin.

Throughout his boyhood he wondered why, but it was not until he had grown up that his mother told him.

"'Years ago,' she said, When you were but a baby, the wicked goblin Matuku stole your father away.

I have never seen him since.

It was a heavy sorrow to me, but I could do nothing to save him, for I am but a woman, while Matuku is a goblin.

I am a man now.

I will find my father, said Rata.

See, I am strong, and my heart is fearless.

Tell me where Matuku lives.