Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin

A tale from Severino Reyes’ “Mga Kwneto ni Lola Basyang.” Re-written by Christine S. Bellen and
illustrated by Frances C. Alearaz.

This story is about a man being deprived from his hard earned money and getting revenge with the help
of an lady.

Long ago, there was a young man who wanted to help his parents get through their financial struggles.
His name is Rodrigo. He was kind and hardworking at best. Rodrigo became a server for the rich
businessman named Ahab.

Unlike most of his other workers, Rodrigo insisted on him to keep his salary in order to let it keep on
growing by each passing month. Ahab agreed to this deal thinking that this was fortunate for him.

Rodrigo kept on working hard. He would open shop early and was active with all the difficult jobs he
had. After a year had passed, Rodrigo finally decided to get his overall salary from Ahab.

He told his boss that he wanted to go home in order to give the money to his parents. Ahab only
responded by telling him to get it next year for a bigger income. Rodrigo agreed to what his boss had
offered, thinking that it would be for the better.

Another year had passed and Rodrigo decided to ask for his salary from Ahab. Ahab told Rodrigo that he
wasn’t working hard enough to have him earn what he was asking for. Rodrigo argued with Ahab’s
claims. Out of annoyance, Ahab then gave him only two coins as his salary for the last 2 years.

Rodrigo, with no power to go against Ahab, just left with grief in his heart. As he was walking, he
stumbled upon an old homeless woman. The woman looked pale and thin. She faintly told Rodrigo that
she hadn’t eaten anything for the last 3 days.

Rodrigo felt pity for old lady and bought her some food and gave her the change of what he had left.
Happiness overcame the old lady’s face and she thanked him. This led to Rodrigo telling her about his
situation with his boss. The old lady felt pity for the young lad and decided to give him a violine.

She explained how the violin was magical and that whenever it was played, everyone would be forced to
dance. The old lady told Rodrigo to take the violin and go get what belonged to him.

Rodrigo did as what the old lady said. He went back to Ahab and asked for his money once again. Ahab
only laughed at his pathetic state. Rodrigo had had enough and started to played the violin. Ahab was
dumbfounded as he danced and danced and danced. It became too much for him which had him
begging to Rodrigo to make it stop.

Rodrigo stopped playing the violin and finally received the money he worked so hard for. But as he was
walking away, he heard a yell from his back. It was Ahab. Ahab pointed at Rodrigo and accused him of
stealing his money.

Rodrigo was sentenced to be hanged when he asked for a final request. He had requested to be able to
play his violin one last time. Ahab was not too fond of this idea.

Rodrigo played the instrument and everyone in town started dancing. This went on until Ahab confessed
of framing up Rodrigo. Ahab was sentenced to jail and paid Rodrigo his hard-earned money.
And after all of that, Rodrigo finally went home to his family with his money and magical violin.

That is all for our story, thank you everyone for listening.