The Legend of Sina and the Eel is a traditional Samoan legend, most closely associated with the island of Savaiʻi. Passed down through generations as part of Samoa's oral tradition, it is one of the best-known legends in Samoan folklore. The legend explains the origin of the coconut and why its three markings are said to resemble the face of an eel. 🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴 [Verse 1] On the island of Savaiʻi lived a maiden, fair and bright, Her beauty was renowned afar, a truly wondrous sight. The King of Fiji heard her praised on every distant shore, He wished to see if all he'd heard was true—and nothing more. He used his ancient mana and became an eel that day, He swam into the village pool where Sina came to stay. He saw the lovely maiden there and could not turn away, But Sina saw an eel alone that watched her where she lay. [Pre-Chorus 1] "You watch me with a demon's eyes!" young Sina cried in fear, She could not know the truth behind the stranger waiting near. But soon she saw the eel was kind and gentle every day, She tended to him every day and let him always stay. [Chorus] Sina and the faithful eel, remembered evermore, Their ancient tale is told anew on every island shore. The coconut palm guards the past beneath the island sky, Its fruit still bears the eel's own face for every watchful eye. [instrumental interlude] [Verse 2] The years went by, the eel grew old, his strength was growing low, At last he told the truth that Sina had the right to know. "I was the King of Fiji once in long-forgotten days, I came because your beauty earned the islands' highest praise." "I knew my age could never win a place within your heart, So when I die, please plant my head when we at last must part." Sina granted him his final wish with quiet, gentle grace, A coconut tree rose at last upon that very place. [Pre-Chorus 2] The coconut bears three round marks that form an eel-like face, A fish-like mouth remains there still, preserved in time and place. Who drinks its sweet and cooling milk will gently kiss that face, As if young Sina kissed the eel with quiet, tender grace. [Final Chorus] Though years may pass and magic fade, his memory will stay, A coconut tree rose, its fruit still bears his face today. Its eyes and mouth remind us all of what came long before, The face of Sina's faithful eel remembered evermore.
