🧚 Opening, part 24

Now a widower was sharpening his axe on the bank of the river, and when he saw the coffin stop, he went to fish it out of the water.1 On the shore he started to open it, but Fukan cried out, “Do not drive a wedge, for I am here.”2 So the widower opened it carefully and took Fukan up to the town, and then, as he had no wife of his own, he married her.3

IN UNION IS STRENGTH4

A lion was wandering over the desert, seeking water.5 It was very hot, and the sun had dried so many pools that it was a long time before he found a well where he could assuage his thirst.6 But this he did at last, although the water in it was not at all fresh.7 However, he was too thirsty to care much whether it was stale or not.8

He reached down to drink, and then his ears were assailed with the buzzing of mosquitoes, who said to him:9

“Lion, leave us in peace.10 We did not ask you to come here and drink up our home, and you are not welcome.”11

This surprised the Lion, who was not used to being spoken to in such an impertinent manner.12 He roared and said: “Do you know whom you are speaking to?13 I am the Lion, the King of all beasts.14 What affair of yours is it what I do?15 Leave me at once, or I will kill you all.”16

But the Mosquitoes said: “You are one, and we are many.17 For generations has this old well been our home, and it is not for you to say that we must go.18 Take our advice and seek another well, or trouble will visit you.”19

“You insignificant little creatures, how dare you address me in such manner,” roared the Lion.20 “Why, in one minute I can swallow you all and you will make only the very smallest part of a mouthful for me.21 Know that when I speak all beasts of the forest and the wilderness bow before me, and tremble.22 Now fly away, all of you, for I am going to drink.”23

“We know how great is your renown,” said the Mosquitoes, “but we do not fear you.24 If you wish to fight us we are very willing to have it so, but we will not allow you to destroy our home.”25

The Lion was now enraged more than he had ever been before.26 Such language to him, the King, meant that destruction must be meted out to those who dared to use it.27 He roared again, and made ready to kill the foolish Mosquitoes.28

But he found that he had undertaken no easy task.29 The Mosquitoes flew into his ears, his eyes, his nose and his mouth.30 They stung him all over his body, and soon he knew that he was conquered.31 He shook himself; he rolled over and over on the ground, but he could not drive them away.32

Then he jumped high into the air, and when he came down his head and fore feet went into the well, and he was unable to release himself.33

And so he died, thus teaching a lesson to those who are so proud of their own might that they all think all others must bow down to them.34 The water in the well was the home of the Mosquitoes, and he had no right to deprive them of it.35 Had he made a request for water with gentle words, it would without doubt have been given to him, but in the foolishness of his pride and anger he demanded that which was not his.36 Gentleness, and consideration for others will bring their reward.37

THE STORY OF BANTUGAN38

Before the Spaniards occupied the island of Mindanao, there lived in the valley of the Rio Grande a very strong man, Bantugan, whose father was the brother of the earthquake and thunder.39

Now the Sultan of the Island had a beautiful daughter whom Bantugan wished to marry, but the home of the Sultan was far off, and whoever went to carry Bantugan’s proposal would have a long and hazardous journey.40 All the head men consulted together regarding who should be sent, and at last it was decided that Bantugan’s own son, Balatama, was the one to go.41 Balatama was young but he was strong and brave, and when the arms of his father were given him to wear on the long journey his heart swelled with pride.42 More than once on the way, however, his courage was tried, and only the thought of his brave father gave him strength to proceed.43

Once he came to a wooden fence which surrounded a stone in the form of a man, and as it was directly in his path he drew his fighting knife to cut down the fence.44 Immediately the air became as black as night and stones rained down as large as houses.45 This made Balatama cry, but he protected himself with his father’s shield and prayed, calling on the winds from the homeland until they came and cleared the air again.46

Thereupon Balatama encountered a great snake in the road, and it inquired his errand.47 When told, the snake said:48

“You cannot go on, for I am guard of this road and no one can pass.”49

The animal made a move to seize him, but with one stroke of his fighting knife the boy cut the snake into two pieces, one of which he threw into the sea and the other into the mountains.50

After many days the weary lad came to a high rock in the road, which glistened in the sunlight.51 From the top he could look down into the city for which he was bound.52 It was a splendid place with ten harbors.53 Standing out from the other palaces was one of crystal and another of pure gold.54 Encouraged by this sight he went on, but though it seemed only a short distance, it was some time before he at last stood at the gate of the town.55

It was not long after this, however, before Balatama had made known his errand to the Sultan, and that monarch, turning to his courtiers, said:56

“You, my friends, decide whether or not I shall give the hand of my daughter to Bantugan in marriage.”57

The courtiers slowly shook their heads and began to offer objections.58

Said one, “I do not see how Bantugan can marry the Sultan’s daughter because the first gift must be a figure of a man or woman in pure gold.”59

“Well,” said the son of Bantugan, “I am here to learn what you want and to say whether or not it can be given.”60

Then a second man spoke: “You must give a great yard with a floor of gold, which must be three feet thick.”61

“All this can be given,” answered the boy.62

And the sister of the Princess said: “The gifts must be as many as the blades of grass in our city.”63

“It shall be granted,” said Balatama.64

“You must give a bridge built of stone to cross the great river,” said one.65

And another: “A ship of stone you must give, and you must change into gold all the cocoanuts and leaves in the Sultan’s grove.”66

“All this can be done,” said Balatama.67 “My uncles will give all save the statue of gold, and that I shall give myself.68 But first I must go to my father’s town to secure it.”69