The Unexpected Catch — Samoan Proverb Tee

Na si'i le faiva o se alili, a ua maua ai le puiali'i.
"They were looking for shellfish, but caught ladies of rank."

This alagaupu (Samoan proverb) comes from the story of Taema and Tilafaiga, who arrived late at night at Afono in Tutuila. The daughters of the Tuiafono were out torch-fishing on the reef for shellfish and, instead of a simple catch, welcomed the travellers and brought them into the village. It's spoken when someone sets out for something ordinary and meets with unexpected success — going fishing and coming home with far more than you went looking for.