A Maori story from www.maori.org.nz
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Te Houtaewa (be) the fastest runner of his day and (play) many pranks on his peoples enemies.

One morning his mother (want) kumara for the hangi (earth oven) and (ask) Te Houtaewa to go to the gardens at Te Kao, a short distance away. He (agree) to fetch the kumara and (tell) his mother to prepare the hangi.

Instead of going to the nearby gardens, Te Houtaewa (set) off for Ahipara as he wanted to annoy some Te Rarawa people who (live) there. Carrying two large baskets for the kumara, he (run) like the wind, completing the journey over the hard sands of Te Oneroa a Tohe (Ninety Mile Beach) in the few hours it takes a good hangi to heat up properly. On reaching Ahipara, he (go) straight to the people's kumara pataka (storehouse for the sweet potatoes) situated at the foot of the hill Whangatauatia.

While Te Houtaewa was filling his baskets with kumara he was spotted stealing the kai (food). He was immediately (recognise).

"It is he, Te Houtaewa. Catch him, and we will make him a slave to work for us!"

Te Houtaewa (stand) up with one kete in each hand. Looking around he (see) a line of people blocking his way to the beach. Quickly he ran in the opposite direction up hill; the people not knowing his intentions, ran after him.

As he ran, the blockade which had been formed against him was broken and the ranks (open). So he (turn) and (wait) for the oncoming host. As his pursures (draw) close, Te Houtaewa (rush) past them back down the hill sending them sprawling as he (head) for the beach. Te Rarawa people (be) so astonished that they (forget) to reform their barricade and before they (can) do anything to stop him, Te Houtaewa, still bearing his baskets of kumara reached the beach and the road home.

Te Rarawa (be) very angry at being fooled by Te Houtaewa. They (send) their best runners after him, calling him to stop. But Te Houtaewa (continue) to speed along the hard sand, even though he was slowing down under his heavy load.

"Yes, he must be tiring, carrying those heavy baskets of kumara," his pursuers (think) as two of their fastest runners (separate) from the main band and drew close to the wily thief.

Te Houtaewa (put) down his baskets of kumara and (prepare) again to face the enemy. On every occasion he (outwit) his foe.

When he (reach) home, Te Houtaewa (find) his mother waiting with the hangi ready. She (do) not know what her extaordinary son (have) been doing during the time he had been away.