Call It Courage

📘 About This Book

Maftu was afraid of the sea. It had taken his mother when he was a baby, and it seemed to him that the sea gods sought vengeance at having been cheated of Mafatu. So, though he was the son of the Great Chief of Hikueru, a race of Polynesians who worshipped courage, and he was named Stout Heart, he feared and avoided tha sea, till everyone branded him a coward. When he could no longer bear their taunts and jibes, he determined to conquer that fear or be conquered-- so he went off in his canoe, alone except for his little dog and pet albatross. A storm gave him his first challenge. Then days on a desert island found him resourceful beyond his own expectation. This is the story of how his courage grew and how he finally returned home. This is a legend. It happened many years ago, but even today the people of Hikueru sing this story and tell it over their evening fires.

📖 Summary

Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry is a timeless juvenile fiction classic that explores the profound journey of a young Polynesian boy named Mafatu, whose name translates to Stout Heart. Despite his proud heritage as the son of the Great Chief of Hikueru—a courageous race of people who worship bravery and the sea—Mafatu carries a deep, paralyzing fear of the ocean. This phobia stems from a tragic childhood event when the sea claimed his mother, leaving him with the haunting belief that the sea gods are vengeful and seeking to claim him as well. Because he avoids the water, his community brands him a coward, subjecting him to constant taunts and jibes that weigh heavily on his spirit. Unable to bear the shame and rejection any longer, Mafatu makes a daring and desperate decision: he determines to conquer his fear once and for all, or be conquered by it. Stepping away from the safety of his village, he sets out into the vast, unpredictable ocean alone, accompanied only by his loyal little dog and a pet albatross. Right away, nature tests his resolve when a fierce storm strikes, providing the first major challenge to his survival and courage. Cast away and forced to survive on a desolate, uncharted desert island, Mafatu finds himself drawing upon hidden reserves of strength, resourcefulness, and ingenuity that he never knew he possessed. He must learn to build shelter, secure food, and face the dangerous elements and wildlife of the island entirely on his own. Through these arduous trials, his inner character transforms profoundly. What begins as a desperate flight from humiliation evolves into a genuine quest for self-discovery and spiritual maturity. The brief fifty-nine-page narrative captures the essence of legendary storytelling, painting a vivid picture of ancient Pacific island life and universal human struggle. Sperry weaves a tale that demonstrates how true courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it through action and perseverance. As Mafatu navigates his trials and eventually plots his epic journey back home, he earns the respect that was once denied him, proving to his people and to himself that he is truly worthy of his name. This inspiring adventure continues to resonate with readers of all ages, celebrating the enduring power of the human spirit when faced with insurmountable odds.

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