University:
Alcorn State University
Course:
EN 213 | Studies in Literature
Academic year:

2021
Views:

78

Pages:

2
Author:

Leilani Contreras

THE MONKEY AND THE TURTL: A FILIPINO FOLKTALE Once upon a time there lived a monkey and a turtle who were very close friends. Every day they always carry out activities together ranging from playing to looking for food. One day they also found some banana seeds and intended to plant them in their respective homes. Monkeys and turtles planted the banana seeds they got. The turtles take care of the banana seeds that are planted by regularly watering them every day. While the monkeys are not diligent in caring for the banana seeds and only water them once a week. One day, the monkey went to the turtle's house and saw a big banana tree. Incidentally, the turtle also asked the monkey for help to pick ripe bananas. "My good friend, will you pick the banana for me, no need to worry because you will also be giving your share." The monkey was willing, and in his heart he intended to take all the fruit on the tree. Once up on the tree, the monkey ate all the bananas. The tortoise was shocked and angry with the monkey's behavior. The monkey ignored the turtle and continued to eat the banana until it was full. But without realizing it, one of the pusang's branches broke and finally the branch fell with the monkey. The monkey grimaced in pain because his spine was broken. Moral Message of a Story: Don't be greedy for something, especially if it belongs to someone else because later it can harm ourselves and can hurt other people's feelings. The Monkey and the Turtle is a Filipino fable. It involves a turtle outwitting a monkey on a banana tree. The story was popularized by Jose Rizal, who published the story in English in the July 1889 issue of Trübner's Oriental Record in England, which is considered the ofÏcial beginning of Filipino children's literature. The origins of the story can be traced to Ilocano, which is associated with Indian art. The Ilocano version of the story provides an explanation for why monkeys don't eat meat. The story version has a general theme of a weaker but cunning character (turtle or tortoise) triumphing over a stronger enemy (monkey).