Pai is descended from the legendary whale rider, Paikea. Her mother dies of childbirth and so does her brother. Koro reluctantly takes her in and raises her as her own, but, worrying about what he believes is right for the tribe, sees no use for her. Pai discovers a whale tooth that Koro had tossed into the sea for the boys to retrieve as a test, which they fail. She discovers the tooth and makes a moving speech as a guest of honor at her school.