Note 23 — Introductory material (continued 3)

Soon after they reached home, the king’s public crier, named Kukaea (this man lived on the filth of Kaikipaananea, never having tasted food or meat from his childhood), arrived crying: “Everybody is commanded to be at the king’s audience on the fourth day to answer the king’s riddles. No man, woman or child shall stay at home, excepting those who are unable to walk.” As Kukaea approached the house where Kepakailiula was staying, Kepakailiula called out to the public crier: “Come.” His friend spoke up: “He is a filthy man, he lives on nothing but the king’s excrement.”23 Kepakailiula answered: “You call him.” When Kukaea came up to them, he said: “I am a filthy man, I live on filth. I am offensive to the smell.” Kepakailiula ordered: “Open your mouth.” Kukaea opened his mouth when water was poured into it and he was requested to wash himself, then new clothes were offered him. Then food and pork were given him and he sat down and eat until he was satisfied. Then he turned to Kepakailiula and said: “What shall I give you in return for your kindness, in giving me food and meat. I have traveled around Kauai but no one ever fed me as you have done this day. Here at last I have found that food and pork are pleasant to the taste. I will pay you by giving you the answers to the king’s riddles, for no other person knows them but myself, the king’s personal attendant.” Kepakailiula then asked him: “What are his riddles and the answers to them?” “They are these: