Mahana -

This story, originally titled Bulibasha: King of the Gypsies by author Witi Ihimaera (who also wrote Whale Rider ), was adapted into the 2016 film . Setting: The 1960s on the East Coast of New Zealand.

It follows two rival Māori sheep-shearing families, the Mahanas and the Poatas , who have been bitter enemies for generations. Mahana

A wealthy trader named Johnny Lingo arrives to negotiate for her hand in marriage. While a typical dowry for a wife might be two or three cows, Johnny stuns the village by offering eight cows . This story, originally titled Bulibasha: King of the

After they marry, Mahana blossoms into a confident and beautiful woman. Johnny later explains that he paid the high price not to show off, but because he wanted her to know her true value and "to be an eight-cow woman". A wealthy trader named Johnny Lingo arrives to