The Uninvited Igaga — Samoan Proverb Tee

O le i'a a itiiti o igaga.
"The igaga is only a tiny fish."

This alagaupu (Samoan proverb) comes from a story about the fish holding a fono (council meeting) to decide whether to declare war on the birds. Because of its small size, the igaga was not invited to the meeting—its opinion wasn't thought to matter. But when the fighting actually began, the igaga showed up anyway and joined the fish. It's said by, or of, someone who was left out of a council's discussion yet still steps up to be counted when the moment calls for it—a reminder that size and status don't decide who gets to show up.