Rātā

Rātā grows up knowing his father Wahieroa was treacherously slain by Matuku-takotako, a monster who lives beneath the ground and rises with the new moon to eat men. He travels to the entrance of the ogre's lair and questions the watchman left there, learning the two fountains where Matuku washes and combs his hair — and the fatal rule that he can only be struck at one of them, since the other would betray Rātā's shadow. His patient, tactical approach to vengeance sets the tone for the legendary adventures that follow, including the enchanted tree and the canoe that builds itself.