Maui and Hine-nui-te-po: The Quest for Immortality
Maui sought to conquer death itself by destroying Hine-nui-te-po, the goddess of death. He knew that if he could pass through her body unharmed, humanity would gain immortality. He took the smallest forest birds as his companions and found the goddess sleeping. Maui instructed the birds to remain silent while he crawled into her mouth and through her body. He warned them not to laugh. However, when only his legs remained visible, the tiny Tiwakawaka (fantail) could not contain its amusement at the sight. Its laughter woke Hine-nui-te-po, who snapped her obsidian teeth shut, cutting Maui in hal