Author(s): Fleur Beale

Junior/Middle Fiction

"I choose to start my story at a distant time. A time before I knew it was possible to take the words from my mouth and draw them in marks on paper. My story begins on the day when my world changed forever. I was very young, but the memory of that day is as enduring as greenstone. I write it now so that when my mouth can no longer utter the words, the paper will keep them for my children's children ..." With these words Atapo begins her story that leads from her capture and slavery as a young child through to her escape to the Mission House in the Bay of Islands as a 14-year-old. Here she learns the new ways and language that means she is present at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Although born into an important family, Atapo's capture and slavery has meant she has lost her standing in her tribe, however, she hopes that the new skills she has acquired will mean she can return home with her head held high. Previously published as A New Song in the Land (My Story series).