Chosen
Why did I choose you?
Do you really not know Little Ocean, or is that you do not remember?
For I remember Little Ocean, I remember it all. I remember a babe born so small and sickly that his parents thought he'd be too weak to live, and so they gave him to me. I remember the strength in his fist—so small, even by mortal standards, but so strong and full of life.
The gods may have looked after him and given his powers and a magic fishhook, but his heart always yearned for the mortals. He used his powers to give them gifts—some stolen from the gods more often than not—always seeking approval and acceptance, to somehow fill the hole in his heart. One so big that not even I nor the gods could ever fill.
Which is why he stole the heart of Te Fiti. One more gift to give the mortals for their praise, except this gift came with a terrible price, one not even the great demigod Maui could pay.
So you see, the heart was stolen out of selfishness and greed. In order for it to be returned, one must be selfless and kind; putting others needs ahead of their own. That was the first requirement of my chosen one.
Over a thousand years of watching the mortals flee from me and the monsters that roamed my waves, I came across many chosen ones that passed my first test. You were not the first chosen one, but you were the youngest.
So young, just learning how to walk and explore the world for yourself, without your parents. You came to me the first time, without me even having to call you away. And then you caught my attention.
Little Ocean, you gave up the chance to have a pretty shell that you wanted, in order to protect a creature smaller you. Older mortals might have grabbed the shell, and then gone for the turtle. Younger mortals might have gone for the shell not noticing the turtle or realizing what peril it was in.
But you did. You put the needs of a small creature ahead of your own and in doing so, passed my first test.
The second requirement I had for my chosen one was for them to be persistent, and stubborn. Maui would resist all efforts to return the heart to Te Fiti, so I needed a somebody who would be even more stubborn than he, and not give up.
How many times did you try to refuse my call, but always found your feet returned you to me? How many times did you try to stay on land, only to daydream about stealing a boat and riding my waves? Despite all the reprimands from your parents, and being dragged away from me, you always found your way back.
I must admit Little Ocean, you were not the first to make it past my first two requirements, your father did as well. Like you, he put others ahead of himself, and longed to ride my waves.
Unlike you, he failed the final one.
Bravery. I needed a champion who could be brave and courageous, who would not run at the first sight of Te Ka. I needed someone who could overcome their fears, and push on for the sake of others.
Your father failed me. Yes, I was harsh on him and his friend, but I needed a chosen one who was not afraid of the danger and unknown that lay ahead of them. Your father failed me, but you didn't. Little Ocean, even when the big wave attacked you, overturned your boat, and nearly swept away that stupid chicken of yours, you still came back to me.
So you see Little Ocean, that is why I choose you. You are kind and compassionate, persistent and stubborn, brave and courageous. Have these qualities not served you well on your journey? Getting Maui to return the stone, escaping the Kakamora, retrieving Maui's fishhook from Tamatoa, you couldn't have succeeded without them.
Even now, here you are, questioning my decision, but still refusing to give up and go home to your people for you know what you have to do, no matter how much easier it would be to give up.
So Little Ocean, that is why I chose you. Tell me, did I not choose well?
Author's Note
The past year there's been a lot going on in my life so I don't get to write as much as I like. The other day I saw Moana and while I enjoyed it, I did have some questions/issues that my brain just couldn't leave alone and this is the result. This story will be a total of seven chapters to fill in the gaps from the movie, center on different characters, and there won't be any major plot or story. Once a Moana category is created, it'll be moved there, but will stay in Disney for now. Next chapter is from the point of view of Gramma Tala dealing with her sudden (and convenient) collapse upon giving Moana the heart.