In the very beginning there lived a being so large that he can not be compared with any known thing. His name was Melu,17 and when he sat on the clouds, which were his home, he occupied all the space above. His teeth were pure gold, and because he was very cleanly and continually rubbed himself with his hands, his skin became pure white. The dead skin which he rubbed off his body18 was placed on one side in a pile, and by and by this pile became so large that he was annoyed and set himself to consider what he could do with it.  
Finally Melu decided to make the earth; so he worked very hard in putting the dead skin into shape, and when it was finished he was so pleased with it that he determined to make two beings like himself, though smaller, to live on it.
 
Taking the remnants of the material left after [140]making the earth he fashioned two men but just as they were all finished except their noses, Tau Tana from below the earth appeared and wanted to help him.
 
Melu did not wish any assista............