Philippine Folk Tales | Page 7

counting
the notches in the rim, [18] perceived that the jar had been handed
down through nine generations. They ate and drank together, and after
they had finished the meal, Dinawagen told Aponibalagen of her son's
wishes, and asked if he was willing that his sister should marry
Gawigawen. Aponibalagen, who had heard of the power of the suitor,
at once gave his consent. And Dinawagen departed for home, leaving a
gold cup as an engagement present. [19]
Gawigawen was watching at the door of his house for his mother's
return, and when she told him of her success, he was so happy that he
asked all the people in the town to go with him the next day to
Nalpangan to arrange the amount he must pay for his bride. [20]

Now the people of Nalpangan wanted a great price for this girl who
was so beautiful, and the men of the two towns debated for a long time
before they could come to an agreement. Finally, however, it was
decided that Gawigawen should fill the spirit house eighteen times with
valuable things; and when he had done this, they were all satisfied and
went to the yard where they danced and beat on the copper gongs. [21]
All the pretty girls danced their best, and one who wore big jars about
her neck made more noise than the others as she danced, and the jars
sang "Kitol, kitol, kanitol; inka, inka, inkatol."
But when Aponibolinayen, the bride of Gawigawen, came down out of
the house to dance, the sunshine vanished, so beautiful was she; and as
she moved about, the river came up into the town, and striped fish bit at
her heels.
For three months the people remained here feasting and dancing, and
then early one morning they took Aponibolinayen to her new home in
Adasen. The trail that led from one town to the other had become very
beautiful in the meantime: the grass and trees glistened with bright
lights, and the waters of the tiny streams dazzled the eyes with their
brightness as Aponibolinayen waded across. When they reached the
spring of Gawigawen, they found that it, too, was more beautiful than
ever before. Each grain of sand had become a bead, and the place
where the women set their jars when they came to dip water had
become a big dish.
Then said Aponibalagen to his people, "Go tell Gawigawen to bring an
old man, for I want to make a spring for Aponibolinayen."
So an old man was brought and Aponibalagen cut off his head and put
it in the ground, and sparkling water bubbled up. [22] The body he
made into a tree to shade his sister when she came to dip water, and the
drops of blood as they touched the ground were changed into valuable
beads. Even the path from the spring to the house was covered with big
plates, and everything was made beautiful for Aponibolinayen.
Now during all this time Aponibolinayen had kept her face covered so
that she had never seen her husband, for although he was a handsome

man, one of the pretty girls who was jealous of the bride had told her
that he had three noses, and she was afraid to look at him.
After her people had all returned to their homes, she grew very
unhappy, and when her mother-in-law commanded her to cook she had
to feel her way around, for she would not uncover her face. Finally she
became so sad that she determined to run away. One night when all
were asleep, she used magical power and changed herself into oil. [23]
Then she slid through the bamboo floor and made her escape without
anyone seeing her.
On and on she went until she came to the middle of the jungle, and then
she met a wild rooster who asked her where she was going.
"I am running away from my husband," replied Aponibolinayen, "for
he has three noses and I do not want to live with him."
"Oh," said the rooster, "some crazy person must have told you that. Do
not believe it. Gawigawen is a handsome man, for I have often seen
him when he comes here to snare chickens." [24]
But Aponibolinayen paid no heed to the rooster, and she went on until
she reached a big tree where perched a monkey, and he also asked
where she was going.
"I am running away from my husband," answered the girl, "for he has
three noses and I do not want to live with him."
"Oh, do not believe that," said the monkey. "Someone who told you
that must have wanted to marry him herself, for he is a handsome
man."
Still Aponibolinayen went on until she came to the