The Rat and the Bat: and Other Short Stories

This is Tauiliili's second publication for young readers written in Samoan and English and is based on legends and Samoan history. It starts as a legend about the friendship between two distinctly different animals; the land bound rat and the flying bat. The plot thickens as the next character, the octopus enters the story. Finally, the focus of the tale returns to the bat or pe'a and a little part of history is unveiled as the story comes to a close. Tauiliili skillfully weaves in the rich history of his ancestor Tonumaipea, Samoan Queen and powerful sorceress from which originates his name and title "Tauiliili". Tauiliili's love of Samoan lore and history is evident in this whimsical retelling of a popular South Pacific tale.