Potiki

Chapter 8 is narrated by Toko, who recounts one of his childhood experiences, both from his own memory as well from what he has been told about it by members of the family.

One evening, when Toko is 5 years old, Hemi takes James, Tangi and Toko out on the lagoon to fish for herrings, which are to be used as bait “for the next day’s fishing” (47). Despite the objections of his siblings, Toko is compelled to take a big, “heavy line” (47) from the shed because he knows with all certainty that he is going to catch a big fish.

While the others are catching herrings and enjoying themselves, Toko waits patiently and excitedly, oblivious to the cold and the beauty of the sky because his thoughts are “in the water” (49). When he finally feels a pull on his line, James holds onto him and Hemi ties his line to a seat so that he is not pulled overboard. Unable to pull the fish up, they row towards the shore with it, where it latches its tail on a rock. Using a torch, Hemi manages to free the fish and, after it has been hauled on to the beach, kills it with a heavy piece of wood.