A woman walks into the Mangere Social Welfare Office, trailed by 15 kids.
"WOW," the social worker exclaims, "are they all yours?"
"Yes they are all mine," the flustered Mother sighs, having heard that
question a thousand times before. She says, "Sit down Rangi."
All the children rush to find seats.
Well," says the social worker, "then you must be here to sign up.
I'll need all your children's names."
"This one's my oldest; he is Rangi."
"OK, and who's next?"
"Well, this one, he is Rangi, also."
The social worker raises an eyebrow but continues.
One by one, through the oldest four, all boys, all named Rangi. Then
she is introduced to the eldest girl, named Rangi!
"All right," says the caseworker. "I'm seeing a pattern here. Are
they ALL named Rangi?"
Their Mother replied, "Well, yes-it makes it easier. When it's time
to get them out of bed and ready for school, I yell, 'Rangi!'
An' when it's time for dinner, I just yell 'Rangi!' an' they all
come running.
An' if I need to stop the kid who's running into the street, I just
yell Rangi' and all of them stop. It's the smartest idea I ever
had, namin' them all Rangi."
The social worker thinks this over for a bit, then wrinkles her
forehead and says tentatively, "But what if you just want ONE kid to come, and not the whole bunch?"
"Then I call them by their last names."