Welcome to Disney's Magic of Storytelling podcast, sponsored by Wake Med Children's, because inside every child is a story waiting to be told.
Our storyteller is ABC 11 news anchor Amber Rupinta.
A day with Moana.
The morning sun rose high over Mount Danui as Moana headed through the village.
Good morning, Moana said, approaching two women with baskets of food.
How are things?
Hi Moana, it's a fine day but we're low on sugar cane and won't have enough for what we're making.
I can help, Moana volunteered.
I'll gather some more for you.
Can we come too?
A girl named Fetuau asked Moana.
We love exploring.
Yes, but we all have to stick together.
The island is big and I don't want anyone to get lost.
But if something does happen, just stay where you are and wait for me to come find you, Moana said.
We promised, the children said.
They were so excited to spend the day with Moana.
Moana and the children set off toward the forest.
I love sugar cane, a girl named Masina said.
Moana and the children talked about how many things they use sugar cane for.
I like to just eat it by itself, a boy named Tua said.
The forest was full of giant trees, colorful plants and rocks and boulders of all sizes.
Without any clear paths to walk along, it was obvious why Moana had told them to stick together.
Moana looked for visual signs to help her find her way.
See that rock over there?
Looks a little like Pua, Moana said.
The kids loved Pua and could picture him as if he were right there.
Moana pulled aside some thick green vines, revealing a large grove of coconut trees.
Can we stop for a snack?
Lao Mei asked.
That's just what I was thinking, Moana replied.
Lao Mei and Tua scrambled up a tree.
They picked the ripest fruits and then tossed them down.
After they broke open the coconuts against a rock, they devoured the white meat and drank the sweet water inside.
It was a refreshing break.
Do we have time for a game?
Fatuo asked.
Since they'd reached the coconut grove sooner than Moana had expected, she figured a quick game wouldn't hurt.
How about a round of hide and seek, she asked.
Yes, the children exclaimed.
They scattered in every direction.
But stay close by, Moana called after them.
She shut her eyes and began to count.
While he was looking for a place to hide, Tua saw a colorful bird he'd never seen before.
He began to follow the bird.
Time's up, Moana yelled.
She opened her eyes and began to look for the children.
In a matter of minutes, Moana had found Fetuau, Laomei, and Masina.
That meant only Tua was left, but no matter where she looked, Moana couldn't find him.
Great job, Tua, you found the best hiding spot.
You can come out now, Moana said.
When he didn't appear, Moana was worried he was lost.
Meanwhile, Tua had followed the colorful bird all the way back to its nest.
He turned around to show his friends but realized he was all alone.
He started to worry, but he remembered what Moana had said earlier and he sat down and waited for her to find him.
Moana and the other children went back through the vines toward the Pua-shaped rock.
It was there that Moana noticed some bright blue feathers.
Maybe he went up this way, she said.
They picked up the feathers and continued walking.
Not far away, they came upon another clearing and there was someone familiar sitting on a rock.
Tua!
Fetuau cried as Moana hugged him.
They were relieved to see he was safe and sound.
I'm sorry, he said.
I didn't mean to go off so far.
I was following that bird and it ended up here.
He pointed to a nest in a tree hollow.
Moana looked up to see a bird with several baby chicks.
Tua had stumbled upon a mother bird as she was returning to her family.
Well, it looks like everyone is back together again, Moana said, smiling.
Look over there, directed Fetuao.
That's the tallest grass I've ever seen, added Masina.
Moana followed the girls and couldn't believe her eyes.
Thanks to their unexpected detour, they had found a shortcut to the sugar cane field.
This is exactly what we're looking for, Moana cheered.
She broke off pieces of the sugar cane stalks and passed them to the children, who arranged them in piles.
After gathering as much as their arms could carry, it was time to head home.
Before we go, Moana said, let's create a sign to mark this new shortcut.
They carved an outline of the bird into the ground with sticks.
Finally, they stuffed the blue feathers they'd collected in the ground next to their new landmark.
It was a perfect way to end their afternoon.
Soon, Moana and the children arrived back in the village.
Moana gave the basket of sugar cane to the women who were delighted to see the bright, juicy stalks.
Thank you, Moana, one woman exclaimed.
These are wonderful.
It was our pleasure, Moana replied.
As they said goodbye, Moana gave each child a honie, pressing her nose against theirs.
When I grow up, I want to be just like you, Tua said.
Moana was touched.
As Grandma Tala says, you can be whatever your heart tells you.
Moana smiled all the way home.
Her heart felt as full as the basket of sugar cane.
Wake Med Children's is proud to support the ongoing enrichment of children in our community and beyond through our sponsorship of the Disney Magic of Storytelling podcast.
To learn more about Wake Med Children's, please visit kids.wakemed.org.
