Send My Love to Heaven
What could I say about a girl I loved since I was ten... that I loved the way she laughed; the way she fussed over silly things, and even the way she cried over some sad silly late night shows. Somehow, I've wished I could have told her that I loved her but there was no hope in doing so. It was too late... too late a love like an unfilled curtain.
She was my best friend and I have known her ever since my childhood began. She knew all my secrets; but if she dug it well, a riddle would have revealed my feeling on her; that I loved her more than I loved myself. Not just because she was pretty and smart, but also the way she put her life in a house-filled bottle.
I could still remember the first time we had met; I was five years old then. It was another windy afternoon having no one to play with. When I climbed up in my tree house, I saw a moving truck coming down the street. I watched it approaching and noticed a family station wagon following it. It had stopped right in front of my tree house and out came a family. I was about to glance away when I saw this loveliest girl coming out from the said wagon. She was four years old at that time; but even at an early age, she definitely had a beauty. She had a long silky hair reaching below her waist. Having a fair complexion and wonderful eyes could make one tongue-tied into such. I continued watching her. Suddenly, she looked up and saw me watching over them from my tree house's window. I was about to go down when she grinned and waived her hand in the distance. I waived back and then stared in amazement as I recognized her running towards my tree house.
I went at the edge of the ladder and asked her, "Would you like to come up?" She answered, "Are you allowing me?" I helped her climbed up. When she felt safe at the top, she turned to me and said, "By the way, my name is Sam, what is yours?" "Christopher! But you can call me Chris", as I replied. She smiled. "Well I like your name, and besides, this tree house is cozy". Then I stammered, cursing my ineptitude. "Thanks! My friend and I made this. This is our hide out. We used to goof around, play ball, and go bumping together. He was my best friend and I'm kind of missing him. His family has just moved out two weeks ago..." She tapped my shoulder and said, "I'm here now, we could do things you do with your friend and I could be your best friend too. I never had a boy for a friend before, so it could be exciting to have one. I could learn how to play ball and I have my bicycle so we could go biking together. Now, tell me, how does that sound to you?" My lips tingled on my reply as if everything becomes interesting. "Well that sounds good!" As she felt the cold air sheltering inside, she embraced herself and instantly imparted her last words. "It's a deal then!"
Suddenly, we became best friends and it was a kind of strange at first. She was a girl and there were things I hesitantly indulge with her like catching frogs in the pond, swimming in the beach, and climbing trees. However, she tried and did everything to please me. There was a time when she fell off the bike trying to catch up with me in a race. I healed her scraped knee by having it tied with my handkerchief. I could still remember the time when she hit the window of our neighbor while we were playing baseball. I talked to Mr. Chambers and promised to pay for the damaged part, which meant having to loose a week's allowance.
I also recall the time I fell off the tree when I tried to rescue a little kitten for Sam, who was near to tears when she saw it helplessly trapped in a branch. I get even fought with the tough guys when they teased Sam. I ended up having a black eye and a bruised cheek. Sam was crying as she placed an ice bag over my injured eye and later gave it a get-well kiss. I did everything to please her and gave everything to her little heart's desire.
The beach was our favorite hang out. We had our Saturday swimming routine. We packed up food and later eat them under the big oak tree. There was a special branch in which the two of us could sit under and melancholy foretells each other's dreams. She dreamed of being a Ballerina and she knew my dream of becoming an Accountant someday. She never criticized my pursuits as if they were quite impossible on my part. It made me like her even better when she laid her back against mine. That water with ebbing effects; those leaves that fall behind us; and those wind blows that make us closer to each other. They were all representing how the nature agrees on our circumstances.
As years went by, I noticed that my feelings towards her were simultaneously getting different. Somehow, I thought it was just a simple crush case. But when I started thinking about her at night; dreaming of her in the middle of a sleep, and having a feeling of wanting to be with her all the time, I thought it was something strange, but then it was exhilarating feeling. It even made me feel so alive. Every time we touched each other's hands, I could feel the tingling sensation in my spine. Once, we were at the beach having our Saturday swimming routine. I carried her towards the shore and had a feeling like I didn't want to let go. I've just wished that moment would never come to an end. Since then, I realized that I was sincerely falling in love with my best friend.
Many times, I tried to deny my feelings on her. I was scared to imagine what would happened if I'd try to tell her what I surely feel for her. I was scared because she might think that I was selfishly taking advantage of our friendship. I was afraid she might lose me someday.
At the age of 15, I noticed that Sam grows lovelier each day. How my heart ached whenever I see boys glanced her way. I wanted to punch them as I realized them talking to her; giving compliments, flowers, chocolates and whatever. There were times when I used to watch her yonder; with a mix of anger and frustration on my point of view, I learned how to hate myself for I couldn't even introduce to her my love. I couldn't even find a word to say that I'm dying for her and that I couldn't live without her.
One day, I just heard from a friend that she already had a boyfriend. At first, I tried to convince myself that it was just a rumor. Her boyfriend was Mark, a popular senior, who was the heartthrob of the campus. She, being the cheerleader was close to the basketball team where Mark played as the captain. When I saw them walking together at the parking lot late afternoon, I peered her with my heart slowly breaking into pieces. She noticed me but I pretend I couldn't see her. I was afraid that she might traced in my eyes the pain I was hiding while she's with the guy.
Those days that followed where the saddest days of my life. How my heart squealed when I see her walking by me with Mark at her side. Every time we meet in hallways with Mark around her, there's always an urge to grab her away from him. How it hurt to see the loveliest girl I've known was then owned by somebody else. A special smile that was for me was then casted to the other guy. If she could only notice my stolen words, "Oh God, how I love that girl…"
Then one faithful day, they broke up. She came too me at evening and laid her head on my shoulder. She had a big conflict with her boyfriend and it ended up to a break up. A lot of things I felt inside. Another thing I knew was that, she was free and maybe I would have the second chance of telling her what I really felt for her. It’s too bad that she was being obsessed with the guy. At that time, I certainly get confused where all those things must have been started.
We found ourselves doing what we did during old days with our Saturday swimming habit and spending time hanging out with our tree house. We enjoyed doing childish pranks because we both still young at heart.
Chances were everywhere to hit the point of turning back. She made me lived again after my darkest days. That was it... with a girl who came back in my arms; I imagined sometimes the secret that had been unleashed. I imagined she's aware of my infatuation. But losing her exaggerated my brain because of the truth she never knew. All I did was as usual as it was. Things must have been kept even if it's busting inside my heart.
It was a week before our JS Prom; we sat under the oak tree drying ourselves right after our afternoon swimming episode. She asked me a favor, "I was wondering Chris if you would like to be my partner?" It just got out of my wits for it was like a dream I never thought would happened. It took me awhile to react, "I thought there are boys out there dying to become your partner?" I doubted if it was a good answer, as if showing her that it was out of my concern. But if she could only knew how the stars collide in my own constellation. If she could only knew how I loved to hear it over and over until her words ran out of rhyme. She turned away and murmured, "Well, I just thought I'd like to spend that night with my best friend." Then she pursued whispering as I could barely hear her voice, "Don't you want to be my Prince, Chris?" I stunned to speak because it had come close to blurt all what I felt for her. We remained silent for awhile until I finally imparted my conclusion, "I would be happy to be your partner, Sam!" She smiled and suddenly kissed my cheek. I could hardly felt the bliss she gave to me. I recognized her face turning into a pinkish blush, as if she never knew what have she done. She stood up and ran towards the shore leaving her words, "Last one to reach the shore would treat into a Sundae Fudge!" I slowly ran before her so that I would lose her dare, which meant having her with me for another three hours and more.
Our Prom night came. I bought a new tuxedo and poured it a perfume. I went to fetch Sam. Her Mom approached me as I went to sit in the couch waiting for Sam to come down. I was talking to her Dad when I heard a rush stating, "How do I look?" I looked up and saw her walking down the stair; getting lovelier than ever in a strapless white noble dress with her hair flowing around her face. I stood up and get stucked, as if I couldn't find my voice to shout to her my affection on her beauty. I got her hand and shakily fastened the corsage around her wrist.
"To the loveliest girl in the whole world..." She asked, "Is that true?" I nodded and she smiled the moment I opened the door for her.
When we arrived at the gymnasium, we could hardly recognize our classmates. Gone were the jeans and t-shirts. They wore tuxedos and gowns but Sam’s gown has the power to be respected by such. I held out her hand, bowed and said,” You look magnificent tonight, would you give me the honor of your first dance?" She laughed and curtseyed. Then I led her to the dance floor as the music changed into its greatest harmony.
It was like a dream come true; a moment of enchantment. I was there dancing with the only girl I've ever loved. She was smiling up to me, as we were harmoniously getting into a smooth gliding motion. I found myself lost as I stared down to her sparkling eyes. The curls of her long hair were like waves enhancing her beautiful face. Until my heart wanted to speak. I wanted to tell her that I loved her so much. I drew up all my courage to whisper it in her ear but suddenly, the music had stopped and the magic was gone. I came close to telling her, but still have not done it yet.
We walked towards the table and found ourselves surrounded by friends. I asked her if she wants a drink, she nodded and so I went to get one. It took me a long time to get a drink. When I returned to the table, she was gone. I asked her friend, Katie, where she was but she told me that she didn't notice her. So I went forward and searched for my girl.
In the garden, I saw two silhouette figures outlined by the moon's silvery light. They were so closed to each other. I couldn't describe the feeling then I recognized the white noble dress Sam was wearing. I get inside and left the Prom. Since that night, I avoided her. Many times, she tried talking to me but I never gave her the chance to do so. I was afraid to hear from her mouth that she loved Mark instead of me. Id rather had left in ignorance than knowing from those dreaded words, the truth she really felt for the guy. Those months were tormenting but still I kept my pride. I knew all those things were killing me, but it was the best way to forget her and to get away from my bad emotions.
During my Graduation Day; I was planning to take up Accountancy far away from my village. At the end of the program, she approached me and handed me a rose. When she stared at me, there was something in her eyes that I couldn't define. There was sadness on her that it wasn't the same smile I've seen before. I wanted to hug her so that she would know for the last time, all my passions on her. But she's gone and walked away, just like a newly freed butterfly.
I moved out the next day as I planned. Luckily, I was accepted at the university. I was down with my studies but still I think of her every night. I was always wondering if she thinks of me too. I tried not to think of her but still I couldn't stop myself from loving her. Every achievements in my life were definitely inspired by the loveliest girl I've ever known, and that was Sam.
"One day, I will be successful. I would tell her the truth from my heart, and by that time, I'm worthy of having her forever..."
Four years after, I decided to come back home. I was excited not just because I was all grown up and I have learned how life should be; but also, I have gained a lot of courage during the past four years. As I got off the plane, I immediately went home. Along with the bus, I imagined her embraces when she would knew the reason I came back. I imagined how we celebrate our old time swimming routine just like what we had at young age. I imagined how the weather cheers with our happiness to be with each other again. I was desperate to see her and tell her that I miss her so much, and that I have loved her since then.
At their house, I saw her older sister Jenny and then I approached her. I've given my homecoming smile but I noticed she didn't smile back. I was confused for she used to be as cheerful as Sam. "I guess you are surprised of my homecoming. I just want to visit you and I am also hoping to see Sam. By the way, have you seen her?”
I have no premonition of everything because my excitement didn't want to rest. Until I heard Jen...
"Come follow me!” breathlessly spoken.
So I followed her with a little confusion in my head. I tried to change the phase of her day and indulged in a wild conversation. I realized that she couldn't afford of a very enthusiastic mood. I carefully noticed that she was leading me to the direction of the beach. In the distance, I saw the old oak tree that Sam and I used to climb up. It was already a decayed tree with empty leaves on its twigs. I thought of it as a symbol of my eternal love for her. But then, it seemed like a legend of a mysterious history, delineating the effect of a drought intrusion. In the middle of the journey, I smiled upon remembering the kiss Sam had given me when I agreed to be her partner. Though the place was starting to fade, I could still adhere to the callings of my memories with her. When we get closed to the tree, Jen had pointed...
"There is Sam!"
I looked at where she was pointing and saw a newly dug tomb with the name of the girl I've ever loved. I couldn’t believe at what I saw and desperately tried convincing myself that was all just a nightmare and I would soon wake up.
I stared at Jenny in disbelief with her eyes searching for explanations and slowly started saying," It has been a week since she died. She died of Leukemia, but even though she was sick, she never stopped thinking about you. It was even your name she uttered before she died. She asked us to bury her here for she always regards this place as a place of LOVE. She said that this is where she had spent her happiest days and that was when she was with you. By the way, she also asked me to give you this."
She handed me a parcel and with that she left. I slowly opened the parcel and saw that it had with it a dried orchid from the corsage I gave her from our Prom. Then at the bottom, I saw a letter. It was dated last month. I opened it with shaking hands and started reading...
******************************
I know by this time you read this letter I'm gone. I just want to tell you that I feel very lucky and thankful to God that I had a friend like you. I would also like you to know that I had left something inside, something I kept from you all these years. I love you Chris, not in a friendly way but as one who would feel like spending the rest of my life with. I have always loved you even from the start. I guess it's getting fonder each day that's why the happiest day of my life was when you were at my side. You just don't know how I dreamed of you at night and wake up in the morning with the thoughts of you in my head. When you're away from me, I can't stop crying because I'm afraid you are with another girl. I just can't bear to see you with another girl. I just want you all for myself. I may sound selfish but that's how I feel. Each time you held me close to you was just like a dream come true. So many things I did so that you will learn to love me but I never saw a hint. I did everything to please you because I love you so much. I even tried to fool myself that you're in love with me. So many nights I've cried when I think of myself unloved by you. And my heart speaks the truth for I cannot bear telling a lie to the one I love.
I know you might be thinking of Mark but I just did that to make you jealous, to make you see me as a young woman, capable of loving and not as the little girl you used to play with. Sometimes I imagined that you were jealous and fooled myself that it was a sign that you feel something for me too. When Mark and I broke up and I came crying, I just did that to know how you would react and so that I would know if you feel the same way too. But I failed because you didn't give me any clue.
When our Prom night came, you just don't know how happy I was when you handed me the corsage and said that I was the loveliest girl in the whole world. While we were dancing, I wanted so desperately to hear you say that you loved me but still you never did. When Mark came and pleaded me to give him a second chance, I was scared that you might see us talking. I didn't want you to get the wrong impression so I told him we would talk in the garden. There I explained to him that it's you whom I really loved the most. What happened next was that you're gone and later learned that you were searching for me. I came to my conclusion that you saw us together.
The next day, I tried to explain but then you never gave me a chance. You continuously avoided me and yet, you never knew how much pain I've suffered. I felt the world crushing on me.
On our Graduation day, I wanted to tell you how much I loved you but I just couldn't do it. I couldn't bear to hear that all you feel for me was just a brotherly hand of love. I just want you to love me as a woman and not as your playmate. So I just turned away and left.
Now that saying I LOVE YOU might be too late. I want you to know that I will always love you and my heart has always been and will be yours alone.
P.S. Think of me sometimes... and always remember that, loving you was the best thing that ever happened in my entire life.
************************************
I felt my tears falling as I folded the letter. I wanted to shout out to let her know that I loved her, if not as much, but more than she did for me. I love her more than anything in this world. Just like the old tree, Sam was gone. Gone away with the wind and within her was the love I failed to know. I knelt touching the soil of her grave as the rain started to fall. I cried with my painful tears and softly whispered... "Oh God, send my love to heaven."
~The End~
The Troublesome Slippers
Abukashan was a wealthy merchant, notorious for his stingy nature. He had a pair of slippers that were famous in town because they were completely worn out. The slippers had outlived their lives but Abukashan simply refused to buy a new pair.
One day he went to a public bath, visited by all the rich and famous people. He left his slippers outside and went into the shower. A few minutes later a judge entered the bath leaving his new and shining slippers outside. When Abukashan came out of the bath, he could not find his slippers, but saw a pair of new slippers instead. He thought, some friend of mine must have left these as a gift for me. So Abukashan wore the new slippers and went about his business.
Meanwhile, when the judge came out of the bath, he found his slippers missing. His attendant said "Sir I can’t find your slippers, but here are Abukashan’s. He must have taken your slippers."
When Abukashan was found, wearing the Judge’s slippers, he was brought to court. Abukashan tried to explain his side of the story, but nobody believed him. The judge imposed a heavy fine on Abukashan in light of his great wealth and stingy nature. So he paid the fine, took his old slippers back, and went home.
Abukashan was angry with his slippers for causing him so much trouble. So he threw them out of his window into the river below. Unfortunately, the slippers got caught in a fisherman’s net, who was fishing nearby. The old, worn out slippers damaged the net. Naturally, the poor fisherman was angry and he threw the slippers back into Abukashan’s house. The slippers flew through an open window, dashed against some valuable crystal displayed in the house, and in a moment, Abukashan lost his favorite expensive vase.
Now Abukashan was really very upset with his slippers. He knew he had to get rid of them immediately. So he went to a nearby pond and threw the slippers in. But as luck would have it, the slippers logged themselves in a pipe that supplied water, and blocked the supply. When the water supply people finally found what was blocking the pipes, they recognized Abukashan’s famous slippers. So, once again, he was produced in court. And, again, a very heavy fine was imposed on him.
A rather unhappy Abukashan looked with disgust at his slippers. Throwing they away just didn’t seem to be working. He decided he would burn them instead. So he picked up the wet slippers and put them out on the roof of his house for drying. As they were drying, the neighbors’ cat saw them and started playing with them. Just then, a women carrying a heavy load on her head was walking by Abukashan’s house. As the cat was playing with the slipper, it fell off the roof and landed on the head of the passing woman. Unfortunately the woman was pregnant and had to rush to the hospital. Once again Abukashan was produced in court and once again a very heavy fine was imposed.
This time Abukashan decided to bury his slippers. So he came home and immediately started digging a hole in his backyard. A neighbor saw Abukashan digging and thought that he must be burying a treasure. According to the law of that land, citizens were required to notify the government and pay a tax on all treasures. The neighbor informed the government and once again Abukashan was produced in court.
By now the Judge was quite fed up of Abukashan, so he imposed an even heavier fine. Abukashan was now in tears and pleaded to the judge, "Sir, I am tired of my slippers. I have lost all my wealth just trying to get rid of them. Please take my slippers and me into custody. At least that should prevent the slippers from getting me into more trouble."
The judge was a kind-hearted man, and he could understand Abukashan’s troubles. He said "As we go through life we acquire different things and positions in life. We should thank god for showering them on us. But at the same time we should not get attached to them. We must realize that just as good things come, they must go. We should welcome them and enjoy them, when they come. And when it is time for them to go, we should not hold on to them. We must learn to give up our old shoes at the right time".
The Wise Doves
Once upon a time, there lived many doves in the jungle. One day they went out in search of food. They flew long distances but did not get anything to eat. All of them were now completely exhausted.
A young dove asked the King Dove, "Your majesty, please permit us to take some rest."
The king replied, "Have courage, my dear young fellow. We shall definitely get something to eat very soon."
The young dove started flapping his wings with force and soon left everyone behind.
After sometime, he turned back and spoke to others, "Hey, I see lots of grains down there."
Hearing this, all the doves started rushing towards the scattered rice under a banyan tree. Suddenly the King Dove said, "It is too good to be true. There is something amiss. Don’t rush towards the grains, it may be a trick. Some hunter must have laid a trap."
But the doves were ravenous. The sight of the grains were too tempting. Without giving a thought to the king's advice, they swooped down and started eating the grains. After having their fill they tried to fly only to realise that they were caught in a net.
The King Dove said, "I told you before that it is a trick of some hunter."
All of them felt ashamed and scared.
One of them said, "O, King of doves, Kindly save us. We’re sorry for what we did. This has happened for the first time with us. We won’t do it again. Do anything but just save us."
So the king Dove said , "all of you must try to fly with the net in unison, all of you."
Just then they saw a hunter approaching towards them. The King Dove said, "Now all of you, fly together".
So all the doves flapped their wings together and flew with the net. The hunter stood dazed. He couldn't believe what he had just seen.
As the doves approached a temple, the King Dove said, "Get down near the temple. A rat, who is an old friend of mine, lives there. He will nibble the net with his sharp teeth and get us free."
So everyone was thrilled at their success. They headed for the temple and descended near it along with the net. Then the King Dove called the rat, "O my friend! Come out and help us. We are in trouble."
The rat recognised his friend’s voice. He peeped out of his hole.
He said, "Just wait for sometime, I’ll call some of my friends who will set you free."
Saying so he went to get his friends.
After sometime a number of rats came and began to nibble the net.
They nibbled all the strings of the net. Soon the rats set the doves free.
The doves thanked the rats and flew back to their nests.
The Mango Charm
A wandering youth once met Bholu, an illiterate villager, who knew how to perform a miracle. Everyday Bholu would go into the forest, stand under a mango tree and utter a charm. The tree would immediately become heavy with fruit. The next moment the mangoes would ripen and then they would fall to the ground. Bholu would collect them, eat some and distribute the rest among his neighbours who were poor.
Keshav the youth fell at Bholu’s feet, even though the latter belonged to a lower caste, and begged him to teach him the charm. The man reluctantly agreed but warned him, "You must never use the charm to satisfy your greed. Moreover, the charm will only work as long as you do not tell a lie."
As soon as Keshav was back in his village he repeated the charm several times daily and got large quantities of delicious mangoes. These he sold in the market and in few months he became very rich.
The king heard of the miracle. He summoned Keshav and asked, " Where did you learn your charm?".
The proud youth, unwilling to confess that he had learnt it from a man of a lower caste, replied, " O king, I learnt it after much study under a group of great scholars in a famous far away university!"
"Well, perform the miracle in front of us," ordered the king.
The king, his family and a crowd of ministers and officers followed the youth into the royal orchard. Keshav selected a big mango tree and recited the charm. But nothing happened, for he had told a lie.
Greatly humiliated, Keshav confessed the truth to the king. The king said, "You have been ungrateful to your teacher out of vanity. Go and apologise to him and perhaps the charm will work again."
The young man did so. But the charm did not work ever again because he had misused it to satisfy his greed.
How the First House was Built
A long time ago, humans were only as tall as hens and rabbits.
These tiny "humans", if you can call them that, lived under trees.
Living in trees was not very nice.
During rains they got wet. In summers they sweated madly, and in winter they almost froze into ice.
Life was tough.So they started living in burrows, just the way rabbits do.
They thought that at least this way they will be dry in the rains. And in summer, they will be safe from the hot sun.
But, often, the roofs fell upon them without warning. They would get trapped inside, unable to come out.
Life was still tough.Then the humans decided to make a tree house.
They created an umbrella of branches and leaves and lived under them.
The roof did not fall upon them.
Life became a bit better.
But the houses did not have any walls.
People continued to feel the heat and cold. Finally, they learnt the trick of making walls.
They made the first real houses.
There was no doubt any more that it was a good life.
It became even better when the humans made houses close to each other so that they would never feel alone.
The Jaguar and the Little Skunk
Once there was a gentleman jaguar and a lady skunk. Mrs. Skunk had a son, who was baptized by Mr. Jaguar, so Mrs. Skunk became his comadre (godmother). And as Mr. Jaguar had baptized the little skunk, he was Mrs. Skunk's compadre (godfather).
Mr. Jaguar decided to go looking for food and came to Mrs. Skunk's house.
"Well, compadre, what are you looking for? What have you come here for?" the skunk asked the jaguar.
"Comadre, what I have come to do is to look for some food," said Mr. Jaguar.
"Oh," said Mrs. Skunk.
"I want my godson to come with me so that he can learn to hunt," said Mr. Jaguar.
"I don't think your godson ought to go; he's still very small and something could happen to him. He better not go, compadre," said Mrs. Skunk. But the little skunk protested:
"No, mother, I had better go. What my godfather says is true. I need to get some practice, if I'm going to learn to hunt," said the little skunk.
"But if you go, you'll be so far away," said Mrs. Skunk.
"I'm going, I'm going. Come on, let's go." So they set off on a long walk.
"We're going to where there's a river. That's where we're going," Mr. Jaguar explained to the little skunk, his godson.
"When are we going to get there?" asked the little skunk.
"We're getting close. Follow me so you won't get lost," said Mr. Jaguar.
"All right," answered the little skunk. They finally came to the river.
"This is where we're going to eat," said Mr. Jaguar to the little skunk.
"All right," said the little skunk.
"Come on over here. I'm going to sharpen my knife," said Mr. Jaguar.
"All right," said the little skunk, looking at his godfather.
Mr. Jaguar sharpened his claws, which he called his "knife."
"I sharpened my knife. Now you're going to be on guard, because I am going to sleep. When you see them come, wake me up," said Mr. Jaguar.
"All right," said the little skunk, "all right, godfather."
(Skunk wakes Mr. Jaguar when prey is sighted)
Then Mr. Jaguar told him: "Don't shout. Just scratch my belly when they come. Scratch my belly, so I won't alarm them. But don't wake me up if just any little old animals without antlers come along, only when the one with big antlers gets here. That's when you'll wake me up."
"All right," said the little skunk. Then the one with the big antlers came, and the skunk awakened Mr. Jaguar. He scratched his belly, and pointed out the deer to Mr. Jaguar, who attacked the animal with big antlers. He went after him and seized him.
"All right, my godson, let's eat. We're going to eat meat," said the jaguar.
"All right," said the little skunk. And so they ate and ate.
"Now we're going to take whatever leftovers there are to your mother," said the jaguar.
"Since we are full, we can take something to your mother. Your mother will have meat to eat, just as we did. We will take some to your mother," said the jaguar. When they came back to the mother's house, he told the lady:
"Look at the food here. Look, we've brought you some food, the food that we hunted. Eat your fill of the meat, comadre," the jaguar said to Mrs. Skunk.
"All right," said the skunk, and ate the meat.
"I'm full," she said.
"It's good that you're satisfied. I've seen that you are, so I'll be leaving now," said Mr. Jaguar to Mrs. Skunk. And so he left.
After the jaguar left, the little skunk stayed with his mother.
When they ran out of meat, Mrs. Skunk said to her son: Dear, our meat is all gone."
"Yes, the meat is all gone. I better go and get us some more food," said the little skunk.
"How can you, son? Do you think you're big enough? You're very small. Don't you think you'll be killed?" asked Mrs. Skunk.
"No, mother, I already know how to hunt, my godfather taught me how," replied the little skunk.
"I'm leaving now." He left, and Mrs. Skunk was very worried.
Her son came once more to the river, the place to which he had come with his godfather to get the meat.
"This is how my godfather did it. Why shouldn't I be able to do the same thing?" said the little skunk.
"This is how you sharpen a knife," said the little skunk. He sharpened his "knife."
"This is the way my godfather did it. I'm not going to hunt the little animals, I'm just going to hunt the one with the great big antlers. I'm going to hunt one for myself just like the one I ate with my godfather. I have my knife here and I'm going to sleep for a little while." The little skunk lay down to sleep, but then he awakened. He was waiting for the one with the big antlers, and when he came, he attacked him, thinking he was as strong as his godfather. But he just hung from the neck of the one with big antlers. His claws had dug into his skin. He was hanging from his neck and was carried far away and fell on his back. He was left with his mouth wide open.
Since he had not come home to his mother, she wondered: "What could have happened to my son? Why hasn't he come back yet? Something must have happened to him. I better go and look for him."
And so Mrs. Skunk went as far as the bank of the river. She was looking everywhere for her son, but couldn't find him. She began to cry when she found the tracks where the one with the big antlers had come by running.
"They must have come by here," said Mrs. Skunk, and began to follow the tracks.
She came to the place where her son had been left lying on his back. When the mother caught sight of him, she noticed that his teeth were showing and shouted at him: "Son, what are you laughing at? All your teeth are showing," she said to him before she had gotten very close. When she did get close she told him: "Give me your hand. I've come to get you, but you're just laughing in my face." She put her hand on him, thinking that he was still alive, but when she noticed that he was already dead, she began to cry.
The Rabbit Throws Out His Sandal
The rabbit was in the cave that was the abode of all the animals: the snake, the turkey vulture, the buzzard, the deer, the lion, the skunk and the coyote. They began to get together there to discuss how they could kill the rabbit mayor (the rabbit is often called the "mayor".)
But the rabbit mayor was very clever and was looking for a way to escape. They began to keep watch on him in that house because they intended to kill him, but they were not able to kill him as they had planned. They had wanted to smash him to pieces.
"Make him come out so that he will die right now. Don't let him escape; that good-for-nothing mayor has deceived us too many times. Well, now he's surely going to be finished, we're going to finish him off. Be on your guard and don't let him get away. When he comes out of the cave we're going to smash him to pieces, for there's a lot of us. Pity him. Compared to all of us, he's nothing. We are many against one. I hope now he's going to pay for all the crimes he has committed against us. That's why he must to die now. You, turkey vulture, go and watch for him to come out, and you deer, go right after him. Since you can run as fast as the mayor, you'll be able to catch up with him. Be on guard, all of you."
"All right," they said.
"Snake, you look to see when he comes out, and we'll all pile on top of him. You snake, call him."
"Come on out, hurry," said the townspeople.
"Wait," said the rabbit, "I'm taking off my sandal."
"But hurry," said the snake.
"Wait, I'm coming out. Wait for me there, I'm coming out."
"Well, hurry," said the townspeople.
"Come on out," the snake said to the rabbit.
"I'm coming out. Wait," said the rabbit.
"Well, hurry," said the townspeople.
"All right," said the rabbit. "I'm coming out now. Please catch my sandal, I beg you."
The townspeople answered: "Catch his sandal, throw it over there. It's not as if it were your father's sandal, that you're obliged to carry it."
"All right, mayor. Throw out your sandal." And the turkey vulture caught the sandal. He gave it to the deer and the deer threw it away, as they thought that it was the rabbit's sandal. They were all shouting in the cave. They didn't know it was the mayor they had thrown away.
Rabbit outwits animals
"Come on out," shouted the snake into the cave, "come out right away." When they realized that he wasn't answering them they were sad. They sent the snake into the cave and the snake shouted: "He's not here, he's not here."
"Throw it far away."
"He's not here, he's not here. He came out," said the snake. "
He's not here. Maybe it was him we threw."
"Did you notice if it was his sandal that you threw away?" the lion asked the deer.
"Come on out, snake."
"All right." The snake came out.
Afterwards they began to kill each other on account of the mayor rabbit. He managed to go free, and when he was far away he laughed at them: "Some day you'll pay for the crimes you committed against me, the mayor. You wanted to kill me, but you weren't able to. Just wait and see what's going to happen to you later on."
The Rabbit and The Coyote
This is a story of Uncle Rabbit and the coyote. The rabbit came to a big rock, and there he deceived the coyote. He was leaning on the rock when the coyote came by.
"What are you doing, brother?" the coyote asked the rabbit.
"Come here quickly, brother, the sky is falling down on top of us. Lean against the rock and hold it up while I go for a stick. We'll prop it up with that," said the rabbit to the coyote.
(Coyote holding rock up)
"All right," said the coyote and began holding it up with all his might. Since the coyote was so stupid, he did exactly what the rabbit told him to. The rabbit had said that he was going to get a stick, but he went and left the coyote holding up the rock. When the rabbit didn't return the coyote shouted:
"Come back, brother! The weight of the rock has made me tired."
The rabbit still didn't come back.
"No matter, I'm going to leave even though the sky may fall down on top of us," said the coyote. But when he ran away he fell into a ravine. The rabbit never came back to the rock and the coyote was lost.
Later the rabbit came to a pond and saw the reflection of the moon in there. As the rabbit was very tricky, he was always deceiving the coyote. The dumb coyote always followed him and didn't know that the rabbit was deceiving him. The coyote came to the pond where the rabbit was. When he saw the coyote coming he began to drink the water from the pond.
"What are you doing, brother? The coyote asked the rabbit:
"Look, brother, there's a lot of food down there," answered the rabbit.
"What kind of food?"
"Look," the rabbit told the coyote.
The coyote looked in the water and said: "I see it. What is it?"
"There's a cheese in the water," the rabbit said to the coyote.
"If we drink all the water we can get the cheese. Drink it, you're big and you can finish all the water."
"All right, brother," he said, and began to drink the water.
"I'm going for a walk," said the rabbit, and left. The coyote continued to drink the water, but the rabbit was gone. The coyote's stomach began to hurt him, and he got the runs. He wasn't able to finish the water, so the coyote abandoned the effort and left.
The Disobedient Son
There was once a boy who was rude and wouldn't obey his mother. He would go out for a walk, without having eaten. He wouldn't come back until late, about ten or eleven o'clock at night. At ten o'clock his mother was still waiting up and worrying about him.
"What have you been doing, son?" his mother asked him. "I'm going to bed because it's late and I have just been waiting for you. You don't pay any attention to anything I tell you. I'm going to send you to your godfather. You don't pay any attention to what I tell you. The boy's mother went to see her compadre* the priest
"Compadre, what can be done about your godson? He is quite a scoundrel and doesn't obey me. You're a priest, and you can counsel and discipline this godson of yours; I can't do anything with him. This godson of yours is a rascal, compadre. Let him come to stay here with you to see if he will learn to behave."
"All right, comadre, have him come here. Why shouldn't he do what I tell him? I'm indeed a priest. I'll teach my godson to work. Don't worry, comadre, my godson is going to obey me." The woman said to her son:
"Go with your godfather, my son. He'll teach you. Since you won't obey me, go and work there."
"All right, mother, I'll go to my godfather's. Since I'm not of any use to you, I'll go and work with my godfather."
"I have come, godfather. What can I do for you? 'Go stay with your godfather', my mother said. That's why I came here to you. My mother is the one who sent me. 'Go to your godfather, you're no longer of any use to me,' my mother said."
"All right, godson," the priest said to him, "You're going to work for me."
"All right, godfather, I'm going to work. I'm going to do whatever you tell me to do; everything you tell me, I will do, godfather."
"All right. Now I'm going to tell you something," said the priest. "Godson, tomorrow morning early you're going to sweep; at three o'clock in the morning. I'm not going to awaken you, I'm just telling you now."
"All right," said the boy. At dawn he went and swept. When he was finished sweeping he went to tell his godfather the priest.
"Godfather, I've finished sweeping all of the church. So I've come to tell you."
"All right, godson, I'm glad you've finished. Now rest." Another day passed and the godfather gave him his next task:
"Now godson, I'm going to tell you what you have to do tomorrow morning. You're going to ring the bell at six o'clock. I want you to ring three times and when you're finished, come and tell me and I'll go to say Mass."
"All right," said the boy. When the next day was over the boy went to ring the bell. He went to tell his godfather:
"Godfather, I rang the bell three times. It's time to get up and go and say Mass," he told his godfather.
"All right," said the godfather. Another day was over and the priest spoke once more to the godson:
"Now I'm going to tell you once more what you have to do tomorrow."
"All right," said the boy.
"Ring the bell again early at three o'clock in the morning."
"All right," said the boy. The boy got up and remembered to ring the bell. He went to ring the bell in the belfry, but the priest, his godfather, had given the boy a test. He had left a skeleton in the belfry. The boy got there at three o'clock in the morning and found a skeleton standing in his way. He said to the skeleton:
(Boy encounters skeleton)
"Get out of my way! I'm coming to ring the bell. Don't get in my way. Get out of my way, for my godfather sent me to ring the bell. Get out of my way or I'll kill you!" He didn't get out of the way, he didn't move and he didn't answer. "Answer, or do you want me to kill you?" the boy asked the skeleton. "If for the third time you don't answer me, I'm going to smash you to pieces. That's what you want. That's why you got in my way, so now you're going to die. I'm going to throw you all the way down from here." And he pushed the skeleton out of the belfry. When he had smashed the skeleton he rang the bell and came down from the belfry. He went to his godfather's bedroom and knocked on the door to awaken him. The godfather woke up and answered the door:
"What is it?" the priest asked the boy.
"Get up, I've already rung the bell," the boy told the priest. The priest heard this and was surprised.
"Oh, did you ring the bell?" asked the priest.
"Yes, I rang the bell, godfather," the boy said.
"Didn't you see anything in the belfry?" asked the priest.
"Yes, godfather," the boy answered, "I saw something."
"What did you see?" the priest asked the boy.
"I saw someone who was standing in my way who wouldn't let me get by to ring the bell," the boy answered.
"Oh, so what did you do?" asked the priest. "Weren't you afraid of him?
"No, godfather."
"So what did you do?"
"I pushed him and he fell and broke into pieces on the floor."
"Oh, your mother told me the truth about you being a rascal," the priest said to the boy. "So you weren't afraid of him. You're a rascal of a godson. Rest. Tomorrow you will work once more." Another day came and his godfather called the boy:
"Now godson, I'm going to tell you what you're going to do tonight. You're going to take care of the sexton, who is very ill. He's about to die," the priest told the boy. "I'm tired of taking care of him."
"All right, Godfather, I'll do everything you tell me to, I'm not afraid," the boy said.
"All right," said the godfather, "at nine o'clock tonight it will be your turn to take care of the sexton by the altar. That's where he is."
"All right, godfather, I'll go and take care of him." The boy went to where the sexton was and spoke to him:
"Are you really sick?" the boy asked the sexton.
"Yes, I'm very sick, I feel like I'm going to die," the sexton told him.
"If you please, I'm going to take care of you," the boy said to the sexton. The sexton was complaining loudly, and the boy would go every so often to see him:
"Oh, you're dying," the boy told the sexton.
"I feel like I'm dying," the sexton told the boy.
"Poor thing, you had better die right away. You're just suffering. I better kill you once and for all so that you will be relieved of your suffering," the boy said to the sexton.
"Not yet, later on," the sexton said to the boy.
"No, I'm telling you that you're going to die now, for it's hard taking care of you," the boy said to the sexton. "You're going to have to forgive me, but I'm going to wring your neck."
(Boy tends sick sacristan)
"No," said the sexton.
"Oh yes I am, give me your neck, because you're going to die right now; you're just suffering. He wrung the sexton's neck. When the boy saw that the sexton had died, he went to tell his godfather. He came to his godfather's bedroom and knocked on the door:
"Get up, godfather." The priest got up and opened his door. "Hurry up godfather," the boy said, "come quickly." The boy went into the priest's bedroom. "Godfather, come with me quickly, I killed the sexton."
"Oh, why did you kill him? He wasn't sick."
"I killed him because he was suffering so much."
"Why did you kill him? He was perfectly all right."
"I'm the one who took his life."
"Oh, you bad godson, my sexton was fine, he wasn't sick," the priest told the boy again.
"So why did you send me to do that job?" the boy asked his godfather.
"You're not a good godson," said the priest. "My sexton was fine. He wasn't sick, but you didn't have anything to do. That's why I looked for a job you could do. I didn't know you were going to kill him. Now you're going to take a letter to a certain place. It will take you four years to get there."
"All right, godfather," said the boy, "I'll go. But first make me an iron rod with pincers and I'll take it along as my companion."
"All right." The letter was written and handed to the boy for him to take to that place, to the underworld.
"You're going right now," the priest told the boy. As the priest believed the boy was stupid he thought he was gone for good.
The boy took the letter and came to the place where he was supposed to deliver it. It was that place in the underworld where the devil lived. The boy arrived with the letter, came to his house and knocked on the door.
"Is the master here?" the boy asked the doorman.
"No, the master isn't here. Wait for him," he told the boy.
"All right, I have a letter to deliver," the boy said to the doorman. "Wait for him, sit down in this chair."
"I'm not going to sit down. This chair is bad. I'm going to stand for a while. When is the devil coming?"
"He's coming right away."
"I'm going to wait for him a little while longer. If he doesn't come, can I leave this letter with you?"
"Yes, you can," said the doorman.
"All right, here's his letter. Give me the answer."
"I'm not going to give you an answer; only the little devil who's in the dormitory can. I'll go bring the little devil," said the doorman.
"Go ahead and he himself will answer."
"All right," said the doorman. The little devil came to where the boy had the master's letter.
"You're going to give me an answer, because the master isn't in. That's why you're going to give me an answer."
"All right," said the little devil. "Wait a minute." As he was just saying that and not giving him an answer, the boy became angry:
"Are you going to give it to me or not?"
"Wait a moment longer," said the little devil.
"Are you going to give it to me or not?"
"Wait another moment."
"Now, are you going to give me the answer or not? Oh, aren't you ever going to give me the answer? I better take you back as an answer. Now, come with me."
"I won't go," said the little devil. You're not the one giving the orders around here."
"Come with me!" said the boy as he seized the little devil's ear with the pincers and took him by the hand. The boy set off and came back to his godfather four years after having left to take the letter. He came back one night and awakened his godfather.
"Oh," the godfather was taken aback when he saw that the boy had returned.
"Who are you?" the priest asked the boy.
(Little Devil)
"It's me, godfather, it's me. Get up right away, for I have brought you your answer. Get up right away." The priest was perplexed, because he thought that the boy was never going to return. He got up and opened the door. When he saw the boy he was frightened.
"Here's your answer, godfather. Here I brought you your answer, because the master wasn't there. That's why I brought you this little devil as your answer."
* The term compadre refers to the godfather of one's child or the father of one's godchild. The term comadre refers to the godmother of one's child or the mother of one's godchild.
Tuliro
Labis ako'y nahuhumaling sa isip
Bawat sandaling ika'y makapiling
Giliw hayaang lumapit
Wag mo sanang ipagkait
Ang malas sa langit
**anong nadarama
Tuwing makikita kang
Dumarating, tuliro
Di malaman ang gagawin
At walang sino mang makapipigil sa akin
At wla ng ibang makapagbabago ng aking isip sau..haaay!!
Wari di ko na malimut
Mga galaw at kilos mo
Sa aking pagtulog
At sa panaginip ika'y mamalagi
Di na muling malulumbay
Sa aking pagising
Repeat**
Anong nadarama
Anong nadarama
Ngayon sa isip ko'y hindi ka maalis
Tuliro
Di malaman ang gagawin
At walang sinumang makapipigil sa akin
At wala ng ibang makapagbabago ng aking isip sau...
Anong nadaram
Ngayon at nandirito ka sa aking tabi
Tuliro
Di malaman ang gagawin
At walang sinumang makapipigil sa akin
At wala ng ibang makapagbabago ng aking isip sau..
