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English version
English version of the story
In English, this story by Lynn Lolokini Pavihi is:
Just Try It!
[page 2]
Rangi and Sifa are eating lunch at school.
“Rangi, what food do you like to eat?” asks Sifa.
“I like eating chicken and fish – and potatoes. I don’t like eating other vegetables. And I also don’t like eating fruit,” answers Rangi.
Sifa says, “Really? I love eating fruit.”
They finish their lunch.
“Do you want to come and have a Niue lunch at my house on Saturday?” asks Sifa.
“Yes, that sounds great,” answers Rangi.
[page 3]
On Saturday, Sifa and her younger brother Kolo help prepare the lunch.
In the kitchen, they prepare the takihi.
They put slices of pawpaw and taro onto a banana leaf.
Then they pour coconut cream onto it and add a bit of salt.
Sifa and Kolo also help the adults put the chicken, fish, taro, and takihi into the umu.
They cover the food with hot stones, and leaves, and sacks.
Then they leave the umu to cook the food until it is ready.
[page 4]
Rangi arrives at Sifa’s house.
“Hi, Sifa. How are you?” asks Rangi.
“Hi, Rangi. I’m well, thank you,” answers Sifa. “Come and meet my family.”
Sifa leads Rangi into the kitchen.
Sifa says, “This is my oldest brother, Lafaele.
This is my mum and dad, and this is my grandmother.”
Sifa’s family says, “Greetings to you, Rangi.”
Rangi says, “Hello. Thank you for the invitation to eat lunch with you all.”
[page 5]
At lunchtime, Nana Ma blesses the food.
“Jesus Christ our Lord, bless this food. Thank you. Amen.”
Rangi eats the chicken and the fish.
“Do you like taro?” asks Sifa.
“I’m sorry, I don’t like taro,” answers Rangi.
Sifa says, “Just try it!”
Rangi says, “I’m sorry. No, thank you.”
[page 6]
Sifa is eating the delicious takihi.
“Excuse me. What is that food, Sifa? What are the yellow and the white slices?” asks Rangi.
“They are slices of pawpaw and slices of white taro,” answers Sifa.
“What is the white liquid?” asks Rangi.
“That’s coconut cream,” answers Sifa. “This is my favourite Niue food. Just try it, Rangi!”
Rangi eats a little bit of the takihi. Then she eats a little bit more.
“Do you like it, Rangi?” asks Sifa.
[page 7]
“Yum! You are so right Sifa!
The takihi is really yummy,” answers Rangi.
“The slices of pawpaw and the slices of taro are really tasty!
And the coconut cream is so creamy!”
She eats and praises the deliciousness of the takihi.
Rangi says, “I also want to try some of the baked taro.”
Sifa says, “Eat up, my friend.”
“Sifa, I love the takihi! Can I please have the recipe?” asks Rangi.
[page 8]
Sifa’s Takihi Recipe
Ingredients
Slices of pawpaw
Coconut cream
Slices of taro
Salt
Banana leaf
Step-by-step method
Lay out the heated banana leaf on a sheet of foil.
Put the first layer of taro slices onto the banana leaf.
Put the first layer of pawpaw slices on top of the taro.
Repeat until you have about four layers of both taro and pawpaw.
Sprinkle it with some salt.
Pour coconut cream onto it until all the layers of taro and pawpaw are covered.
Wrap it up with the banana leaf first and foil after.
Bake it in the umu for about two hours.