Once upon a time, there lived a little, beautiful girl named Moana in Motunui Island. Even when she was little, she loved the ocean. She also loved listening to Gramma Tala’s stories. Moana’s favorite was about the trickster demigod Maui, who stole the heart of the mother island, Te Fiti. According to Gramma, Maui upset the balance of nature by stealing the heart.
Moana’s dad, Chief Tui, believed the ocean was dangerous. The islanders were forbidden to sail beyond the reef! But little Moana felt a deep connection to the ocean and to all the creatures who belonged in it. She always wanted to help. And the ocean noticed and it gave Moana a special gift. When Chief Tui picked up Moana, she dropped the gift. Luckily, someone else picked it up. It was Gramma Tala!...