The Book of Salamat

- Condensed from a Philippine folktale written by Conrado V. Pedroche

Our story begins with two neighbors. Although they were poor, they took pride in their
gardens. Their yards bloomed with different kinds of vegetables all year round. The first
gardener would sell his harvest and keep the money all to himself, while his next - door
neighbor would give away most of his vegetables and was happy when his friends
would say “Salamat”.
“Fool!” his selfish neighbor told him one day, “You work so hard under the sun to
grow your vegetables. If I were you, I’d sell them and keep the money. Look at me, I will
be able to build a big house next year with my money.” The generous gardener just
smiled and continued working hard.
He was actually having difficulty saving money for repairing his home for the
rainy season, but, he found this word of thanks more precious than money.Salamat,
salamat, salamat…. He noted each line of thanks ib a book every night.
The greedy man soon earned enough money to build a huge house made of
stone and wood. He looked out from his window and saw his neighbor’s tiny nipa hut.
He heard about the good man’s book and laughed.
“Let’s see that crazy old fool eat his book of Salamat,” he said to himself. He then
called out to his neighbor…Hey there, friend, don’t you wish you had a house as
beautiful as mine?” he asked, “I’ve even hired a gardener to take care of my plants!”
“You have quite a big house,” his humble neighbor answered, “but I’m happy
enough here.”
Months passed and the rains came. It was then that the good man realized he
truly needed money to fix his hut. He spotted his book of Salamat and had a bright idea.
The next morning…“Salamat for sale! Who wants to buy my book ofsalamat?”
The townsfolk saw the gardener selling his book and thought he had gone crazy.
Yet, he went all around the village offering his book of salamat to any buyer. Word
spread and reached the Sultan’s place.
“What’s that man selling?” the sultan asked his guards. He had never heard of
anyone selling such and thought that he must have heard wrong; that the gardener was
selling salabat – ginger tea, or samat – betel leaf. “Bring him to me,” His majesty
commanded. And the gardener was summoned.
“I’m selling my book of Salamat, your majesty,” the man explained. He opened
his book and the Sultan saw the word salamatwritten all over. The words were written in
clear, fine and honest handwriting.
“This man is no fool!” the Sultan said to himself.
 “How much do you want for this book, my good man?” the Sultan finally asked.
“I shall sell my book for whatever it will weigh in gold,” the gardener answered
humbly.
His majesty then told his court attendants to bring forth his weighing scale. The
Sultan placed the book on one scale and a piece of gold on the other. The book was
heavier. He placed another piece of gold, but, the book was still heavier. No matter how
much gold the Sultan placed upon the scale, the book still weighed heavier! Until the
Sultan brought out a bag of gold and said, “There old man, take your money and leave
me in peace!” And the gardener happily left and was able to build himself a bigger
house than his neighbor’s in several day’s’ time.
His neighbor got so jealous! He thought of a plan to get richer.
After learning about his neighbor’s good fortune. He immediately bought a thicker
and heavier book and hurriedly filled it with the word salamat.
Following what his neighbor did, the greedy man asked to be paid as much the
book will weigh in gold. The Sultan placed a bag of gold on the scale but, the bag was
heavier. He then removed half of the gold. The bag was still heavier. Finally, some gold
dust was left on the bag. Alas! It was still heavier.
“How can that be?” the gardener said, “My book is gigantic! And I labored for two
weeks writing that word salamatover and over again!”
“Aha!” exclaimed His Majesty, “Poor man, you may spend a lifetime writing down
the word, but if it doesn’t come straight from the heart of grateful men, it is
meaningless.” And to the dismay of the selfish man, the wise Sultan ordered his guards
to take him outside to be punished in front of the people.
The story of the Book of Salamat teaches us that a word of thanks is more
meaningful and valuable if it comes from the heart.