Once upon a time in the serene waters of Lake Taupō, there lived a baby taniwhā named [Tama](CRZC6XBY). He was the last one of his kind in the lake and felt very lonely.

[Tama](CRZC6XBY) watched the other creatures in the lake with envy. The fish swam together in schools, and the birds flew in flocks, but [Tama](CRZC6XBY) had no one to play with.

The townspeople nearby were frightened of him because long ago, a taniwhā had caused mischief in the lake. But [Tama](CRZC6XBY) was different; he was gentle and kind.

Every day, [Tama](CRZC6XBY) would swim around and hope to find someone who wasn't scared of him. He wanted a friend more than anything else in the world.

One sunny morning, a brave little girl named [Mia](XJNB3S5W) was at the lake. She wasn't afraid of stories about taniwhās. [Mia](XJNB3S5W) loved adventures and making new friends.

[Mia](XJNB3S5W) saw [Tama](CRZC6XBY) hiding behind a rock and waved at him. Surprised and overjoyed, [Tama](CRZC6XBY) waved his tail in return. Could this be the friend he was hoping for?

[Mia](XJNB3S5W) spent the whole day talking, playing, and laughing with [Tama](CRZC6XBY). They had so much fun pretending to be pirates and exploring the lake together.

Soon, other children saw that [Tama](CRZC6XBY) wasn't scary at all. One by one, they joined [Mia](XJNB3S5W) and [Tama](CRZC6XBY), and everyone had a wonderful time playing games.

[Tama](CRZC6XBY) finally had friends and was never lonely again. The townspeople realized he was friendly and kind, and everyone lived happily beside the lake.

From that day on, [Tama](CRZC6XBY) became the guardian of Lake Taupō, and his story taught everyone not to judge others by their past but by the goodness in their hearts.