Philippine Folk Tales | Page 8

ocean, and then, as
she could go no farther, she sat down to rest. As she sat there pondering
what she should do, a carabao [25] came along, and thinking that she
would ride a while she climbed up on its back. No sooner had she done
so than the animal plunged into the water and swam with her until they
reached the other side of the great ocean.

There they came to a large orange tree, and the carabao told her to eat
some of the luscious fruit while he fed on the grass nearby. As soon as
he had left her, however, he ran straight to his master, Kadayadawan,
and told him of the beautiful girl.
Kadayadawan was very much interested and quickly combed his hair
and oiled it, put on his striped coat [26] and belt, and went with the
carabao to the orange tree. Aponibolinayen, looking down from her
place in the tree, was surprised to see a man coming with her friend, the
carabao, but as they drew near, she began talking with him, and soon
they became acquainted. Before long, Kadayadawan had persuaded the
girl to become his wife, and he took her to his home. From that time
every night his house looked as if it was on fire, because of the beauty
of his bride.
After they had been married for some time, Kadayadawan and
Aponibolinayen decided to make a ceremony [27] for the spirits, so
they called the magic betel-nuts [28] and oiled them and said to them,
"Go to all the towns and invite our relatives to come to the ceremony
which we shall make. If they do not want to come, then grow on their
knees until they are willing to attend."
So the betel-nuts started in different directions and one went to
Aponibalagen in Nalpangan and said,
"Kadayadawan is making a ceremony for the spirits, and I have come
to summon you to attend."
"We cannot go," said Aponibalagen, "for we are searching for my sister
who is lost"
"You must come," replied the betel-nut, "or I shall grow on your knee,"
"Grow on my pig," answered Aponibalagen; so the betel-nut went on to
the pig's back and grew into a tall tree, and it became so heavy that the
pig could not carry it, but squealed all the time.

Then Aponibalagen, seeing that he must obey, said to the betel-nut,
"Get off my pig, and we will go."
The betel-nut got off the pig's back, and the people started for the
ceremony. When they reached the river, Gawigawen was there waiting
to cross, for the magic nuts had forced him to go also. Then
Kadayadawan, seeing them, sent more betel-nuts to the river, and the
people were carried across by the nuts.
As soon as they reached the town the dancing began, and while
Gawigawen was dancing with Aponibolinayen he seized her and put
her in his belt. [29] Kadayadawan, who saw this, was so angry that he
threw his spear and killed Gawigawen. Then Aponibolinayen escaped
and ran into the house, and her husband brought his victim back to life,
and asked him why he had seized the wife of his host. Gawigawen
explained that she was his wife who had been lost, and the people were
very much surprised, for they had not recognized her at first.
Then all the people discussed what should be done to bring peace
between the two men, and it was finally decided that Kadayadawan
must pay both Aponibalagen and Gawigawen the price that was first
demanded for the beautiful girl.
After this was done all were happy; and the guardian spirit of
Kadayadawan gave them a golden house in which to live.

Gawigawen of Adasen
Tinguian
Aponibolinayen was sick with a headache, and she lay on a mat alone
in her house. Suddenly she remembered some fruit that she had heard
of but had never seen, and she said to herself, "Oh, I wish I had some of
the oranges of Gawigawen of Adasen."
Now Aponibolinayen did not realize that she had spoken aloud, but
Aponitolau, her husband, lying in the spirit house [30] outside, heard

her talking and asked what it was she said. Fearing to tell him the truth
lest he should risk his life in trying to get the oranges for her, she said:
"I wish I had some biw" (a fruit).
Aponitolau at once got up, and, taking a sack, went out to find some of
the fruit for his wife. When he returned with the sack full, she said:
"Put it on the bamboo hanger above the fire, and when my head is
better I will eat it."
So Aponitolau put the fruit on the hanger and returned to the spirit
house, but when Aponibolinayen tried