The Bird-Catcher's Dirt — Samoan Proverb Tee

E lafulafu a tama seu gogo.
"It is the dirt of the youths catching sea birds."

This alagaupu (Samoan proverb) comes from the legend of La'auli. Sent to Falealili to snare gogo (sea birds) in the forest, he sat shaggy-haired and covered in dirt from his sport when the chiefly lady Gauifaleai came upon him and remarked on his rough appearance. La'auli answered her with this saying, comparing himself to the young banana bunch whose fruit is not yet neatly ordered, and to the dirt of a boy hard at work catching birds.

The proverb is applied to things that look unpromising at first but end well — humble, messy beginnings that lead to a fine result.