Extend the figure quickly. The pulling through of the string reminded American Indians of pulling off the skin of a hanging animal and reversing it as it was being dressed or skinned. The figure is difficult to do quickly in one smooth motion, so competing to see who can do it the fastest is a fun game to play. Note that this figure is an upside down Cup and Saucer and can be made the same way by reversing references to thumb and little finger in the instructions for making Cup and Saucer . Release thumb strings.
Thumbs then move over the forefinger strings and pick up the near little finger strings.
Release the strings on the little fingers. Thumbs next pick up the near forefinger strings. Forefingers pick up the far little finger string. Cover your mouth with your forearm and give the mouth a voice. This figure is also called Crab's Mouth , but the Hawaiians think it looks more like the twitching posterior of a pig.