Indarapatra at Sulayman

(Epikong Mindanao)

Si Indarapatra ay ang matapang na hari ng Mantapuli. Nabalitaan niya ang malimit na

pananalakay ng mga dambuhalang ibon at mababangis na hayop sa ibang panig ng Mindanao.
Labis niyang ikinalungkot ang mga nangyayaring ito sa mga naninirahan sa labas ng kaharian ng
Mantapuli.

Ipinatawag ni Indarapatra ang kanyang kapatid na si Sulayman, isang matapang na kawal.

Inutusan ni Indarapatra si Sulayman upang puksain ang mga ibon at hayop na namiminsala sa
mga tao. Agad na sumunod si Sulayman. Bago umalis si Sulayman, nagtanim si Indarapatra ng
halawan sa may durungawan. Aniya kay Sulayman, Sa pamamagitan ng halamang ito ay
malalaman ko ang nangyayari sa iyo. Kapag namatay ang halamang ito, nanganaghulugang
ikaw ay namatay.

Sumakay si Sulayman sa hangin. Narating niya ang Kabilalan. Wala siyang nakitang tao.
Walang anu-ano ay nayanig ang lupa, kaya pala ay dumating ang halimaw na si Kurita. Matagal
at madugo ang paglalaban ni Sulayman at ni Kurita. Sa wakas, napatay rin ni Sulayman si
Kurita, sa tulong ng kanyang kris.

Nagtungo naman si Sulayman sa Matutum. Kanyang hinanap ang halimaw na kumakain ng tao,
na kilala sa tawag na Tarabusaw. Hinagupit nang hinagupit ni Tarabusaw si Sulayman sa
pamamagitan ng punongkahoy. Nang nanlalata na si Tarabusaw ay saka ito sinaksak ni
Sulayman ng kanyang espada.

Pumunta si Sulayman sa Bundok ng Bita. Wala rin siyang makitang tao. Ang iba ay nakain na
ng mga halimaw at ang natirang iba ay nasa taguan. Luminga-linga pa si Sulayman nang biglang
magdilim pagkat dumating ang dambuhalang ibong Pah. Si Sulayman ang nais dagitin ng ibon.
Mabilis at ubos lakas ng tinaga ito ni Sulayman. Bumagsak at namatay ang Pah. Sa kasamaang
palad nabagsakan ng pakpak ng ibon si Sulayman na siya niyang ikinamatay.

Samantala, ang halaman ni Sulayman sa Mantapuli ay laging pinagmamasdan ni Indarapatra.

Napansin niyang nanlata ang halaman at alam niyang namatay si Sulayman.

Hinanap ni Indarapatra ang kanyang kapatid. Nagpunta siya sa Kabalalan at nakita niya ang
kalansay ni Tarabusaw. Alam niyang napatay ito ng kapatid niya. Ipinagpatuloy ni Indarapatra
ang paghahanap niya kay Sulayman. Narating niya ang bundok ng Bita. Nakita niya ang patay
na ibong Pah. Inangat ni Indarapatra ang pakpak ng ibon at nakita ang bangkay ni Sulayman.
Nanangis si Indarapatra at nagdasal upang pabaliking muli ang buhay ni Sulayman. Sa di
kalayua'y may nakita siyang banga ng tubig. Winisikan niya ng tubig ang bangkay at muling
nabuhay si Sulayman. Parang nagising lamang ito mula sa mahimbing na pagtulog. Nagyakap
ang magkapatid dahil sa malaking katuwaan.
Pinauwi na ni Indarapatra si Sulayman. Nagtuloy pa si Indarapatra sa Bundok Gurayu. Dito'y
wala ring natagpuang tao. Nakita niya ang kinatatakutang ibong may pitong ulo. Sa tulong ng
kanyang engkantadong sibat na si juris pakal ay madali niyang napatay ang ibon.

Hinanap niya ang mga tao. May nakita siyang isang magandang dalaga na kumukuha ng tubig
sa sapa. Mabilis naman itong nakapagtago. Isang matandang babae ang lumabas sa taguan at
nakipag-usap kay Indarapatra. Ipinagsama ng matandang babae si Indarapatra sa yungib na
pinagtataguan ng lahat ng tao sa pook na iyon. Ibinalita ni Indarapatra ang mga pakikilaban
nilang dalawa ni Sulayman sa mga halimaw at dambuhalang ibon. Sinabi rin niyang maaari na
silang lumabas sa kanilang pinagtataguan. Sa laki ng pasasalamat ng buong tribu, ipinakasal kay
Indarapatra ang anak ng hari, ang magandang babaeng nakita ni Indarapatra sa batisan.
Olympians Apollo
Birth and Childhood: Apollo was the son of Zeus, the king of the gods, and Leto, a Titaness.
However, Apollo's birth was not without challenges. Zeus's wife, Hera, was known for her
jealousy, and when she learned that Leto was pregnant with Zeus's children, she became furious.
Hera placed a curse on Leto, making it nearly impossible for her to find a place to give birth.

After much wandering, Leto found refuge on the island of Delos, which was not fixed to the sea
bed, making it a suitable place for the birth. There, she delivered Apollo and his twin sister
Artemis. Apollo was born first, and immediately after birth, he declared himself to be a master of
the lyre and bow.

The Delphi Oracle: As Apollo grew, he sought a place to establish his cult. He chose Delphi, a
location with a chasm in the earth where the python, a monstrous serpent, dwelled. Apollo slew
the python and claimed Delphi as his own. The Oracle of Delphi, also known as the Pythia,
became one of the most famous and revered oracles in ancient Greece. Pilgrims from all over the
Greek world came to Delphi seeking Apollo's guidance and prophecies.

Musical Talent: Apollo was a master musician and was often depicted playing the lyre. He won
a contest against the satyr Marsyas, who challenged him to a musical duel. Apollo emerged
victorious and, in some versions of the myth, flayed Marsyas alive for his presumption.

Apollo and Daphne: One of Apollo's famous love stories is that of Daphne, a nymph and the
daughter of the river god Peneus. Apollo mocked the god of love, Eros (Cupid), for using a bow
and arrow, claiming that true strength came from more martial pursuits. In retaliation, Eros shot
Apollo with a golden arrow that made him fall in love with Daphne, and he shot Daphne with a
lead arrow, making her averse to love.

Despite Apollo's advances, Daphne fled from him. In the end, she prayed to her father for help,
and he transformed her into a laurel tree. Apollo, devastated, declared the laurel as his sacred tree
and wore its leaves as a crown.

Punishment of Niobe: Apollo was not only a god of music and light but also of justice. When
Queen Niobe of Thebes boasted that she was superior to Leto because she had more children,
Apollo and Artemis took offense. In response, they slew all of Niobe's children, and Niobe
herself was turned into a weeping stone statue.

Hyacinthus: Apollo also had a tragic love affair with Hyacinthus, a mortal youth. One day,
while Apollo and Hyacinthus were playing discus, a strong wind blew the discus off course,
striking Hyacinthus in the head and killing him. In his grief, Apollo created the hyacinth flower
from Hyacinthus's spilled blood.

Apollo and the Trojan War: Apollo played a significant role in the Trojan War. He supported
the Trojans, and his intervention was crucial in various episodes of the epic conflict. He guided
Paris's arrow to the heel of Achilles, the only vulnerable spot on his body, leading to the death of
the Greek hero.
Punishment and Redemption: Despite his many positive attributes, Apollo was not without
flaws. One such incident involved his son, Asclepius, who became an accomplished healer.
Asclepius's ability to resurrect the dead angered the god of the underworld, Hades. In retaliation,
Hades complained to Zeus, who struck Asclepius with a lightning bolt.

Apollo, devastated by the loss of his son, sought revenge by killing the Cyclopes who had forged
Zeus's thunderbolts. As punishment for his actions, Zeus banished Apollo from Olympus and
forced him to serve King Admetus of Thessaly for a year.

After serving his penance, Apollo was reconciled with Zeus and returned to his rightful place
among the Olympian gods.

Apollo's multifaceted nature as a god of music, prophecy, healing, and justice made him a
complex and influential figure in Greek mythology. His stories reflect the interconnectedness of
various aspects of life and the intricate relationships between gods and mortals.
Alamat ng Ampalaya
by Augie D. Rivera, Jr.

Noong araw sa bayan ng Sariwa, naninirahan ang lahat ng uri ng gulay na may kanya-kanyang
kagandahang taglay. Si Kalabasa na may kakaibang tamis, si Kamatis na may asim at
malasutlang kutis, si Luya na may anghang, si Labanos na sobra ang kaputian, si Talong na may
lilang balat, luntiang pisngi ni Mustasa, si Singkamas na may kakaibang lutong na taglay, si
Sibuyas na manipis na balat, at si Patola na may gaspang na kaakit-akit.

Subalit may isang gulay na umusbong na kakaiba ang anyo, siya si Ampalaya na may maputlang
maputlang kulay, at ang kanyang lasang taglay ay di maipaliwanag.

Araw araw, walang ginawa si Ampalaya kung hindi ikumpara ang kanyan itsura at lasa sa kapwa
niya gulay, at dahil dito ay nagbalak siya ng masama sa kapwa niyang mga gulay.
Nang sumapit ang gabi kinuha ni Ampalaya ang lahat ng magagandang katangian ng mga gulay
at kanyang isinuot.

Tuwang tuwa si Ampalaya dahil ang dating gulay na hindi pinapansin ngayon ay
pinagkakaguluhan. Ngunit walang lihim na hindi nabubunyag nagtipon tipon ang mga gulay na
kanyang ninakawan. Napagkasunduan nilang sundan ang gulay na may gandang kakaiba, at
laking gulat nila ng makita nilang hinuhubad nito isa-isa ang mga katangian na kanilang taglay,
nanlaki ang kanilang mga mata ng tumambad sa kanila si Ampalaya.

Nagalit ang mga gulay at kanilang iniharap si Ampalaya sa diwata ng lupain, isinumbong nila
ang ginawang pagnanakaw ni Ampalya.

Dahil dito nagalit ang diwata at lahat ng magagandang katangian na kinuha niya sa mga kapwa
niya gulay ay ibinigay sa kanya.
Laking tuwa ni Ampalaya dahil inisip niya na iyon lamang pala ang kabayaran sa ginawa niyang
kasalanan. Ngunit makalipas ang ilang sandali ay nag iba ang kanyang anyo. Ang balat niya ay
kumulubot dahil ang kinis at gaspang na taglay ni upo at kamatis ay nag-away sa loob ng
kanyang katawan maging ang mga ibat-ibang lasa ng gulay ay naghatid ng di magandang panlasa
sa kanya at pait ang idinulot nito.

Mula noon, naging madilim na luntian ang kulay ni Ampalaya. Ngayon kahit naging
masustansiyang gulay na si Ampalaya ay marami ang hindi nagkakagusto sa kanya. Pero alam
niyo nagsisisi na si Ampalaya.

Sa sususnod na makita niyo siya sa inyong pinggan ay subukan niyo siyang tikman at patawarin
sa kanyang mga kasalanan.
Stone Soup

Stone Soup Story For Children

Once upon a time, there was a small village which was inhabited by poor people. They didn’t
like sharing their things with others as they had very little. They would lock their doors and
windows tight and keep the little provisions they had for themselves.
One day, a visitor passed through the village. He was very hungry and exhausted from his long
journey. He stopped at the first house he could see and knocked on the door, hoping to get some
food.
The woman inside cracked open the door a little and asked, “Who are you?”
“I am a traveller, and I was passing through your village. I am tired and hungry. Can I please
have something to eat?” “Go away; we hardly have any food here,” replied the woman. “I doubt
you’ll find anyone here who has food to spare. We are all poor,” said the woman. After she said
this, the woman closed the door in the traveller’s face.
The traveller was not ready to give up and picked up a large stone from the ground and knocked
again on the woman’s door. The lady came to the door again and opened it only halfway. “What
do you want now?” asked the woman. “Since you are poor like me, maybe you’d like to have
some of my stone soup. It is delicious and fulfilling!” “Stone soup, you say?” laughed the
woman as she saw the stone in the traveller’s hand. “You can’t make soup from a stone” To that,
the traveller replied, “Yes, you can! I’ve done it before.”
The woman didn’t believe him as she had never seen someone make soup from stones before.
However, she was hungry too, so she invited him in. She lit the fire and placed a kettle of water
on top, and opened the windows to let the heat out. The traveller placed the stones in the water
until the water started boiling. He took a sip of the hot liquid and said, “It’s almost done! But, if
you had just a little salt and butter, it would taste much better!”
The woman went to her cupboard and returned with salt and butter. As the traveller was adding
them to the stone soup, the woman’s husband returned home with carrots and potatoes in his
hand. “What are you cooking?” asked the woman’s husband. “Stone soup!” replied the traveller
and the woman. The man could not believe this and thought that it was impossible to make soup
out of a stone.
“It’s almost finished!” said the traveller as he tasted another spoonful of the soup. “However, it
would taste much better if we added carrots and potatoes to it,” said the traveller. The husband
was also hungry, so he agreed to add some carrots and potatoes to the stone soup.
Soon, the smell of the soup drifted out of the open window and down the lane. A neighbour who
usually stayed inside wandered out and followed the smell all the way to the first house. There,
he heard the woman, her husband and the traveller talking about the stone soup. “Is the stone
soup ready now?” the woman and her husband asked the traveller. “Yes, but it could be even
better if we had some turnips and beans!” “I have some!” yelled the neighbour who was
watching them from the window.
The neighbour was curious to taste the soup made of stones, so he returned with turnips and
beans. He poured it into the pot, and the smell of the soup drifted further into the village.
Word of a traveller making soup out of a stone drew the villagers out of their houses and towards
the woman’s house. They all followed the smell. “Is the stone soup ready yet?” asked the
villagers when they came to the window. “Yes, but I remember having stone soup with fresh
chicken and broth in the stew once,” replied the traveller.
“I have chicken!” said a farmer and then ran home to get some. “I have broth!” exclaimed
another villager who ran to fetch it. They both came and placed the items into the pot. By this
moment, the pot was full to the brim with goodness. The traveller tried another sip of the soup,
“Perfect!” he exclaimed. He then proceeded to serve a bowl of stone soup to every villager.
“It’s delicious!” said the villagers. “Where can we get this magic stone?” asked some. The
traveller shook his head and pulled out the stone from the soup. The villagers realised that it was
a normal stone, and the flavour of the soup came from the ingredients and not the stone.
The traveller drank what was left of the soup and continued with his journey. The villagers
realised the importance of sharing, and from that day on, they shared their things with each other
and lived happily together.
Philippines Is A Blessed Nation
Philippines is a country
Blessed with beauties of nature,
A country that has
Their own unique culture.

Though we may think Philippines

Is corrupted and poor,
But with all the problems it faced,
It was still able to endure.

Natural resources are also rich in this land,

With farmers who work hard, hand in hand.
They plow the field and harvest grains,
For our sake, they work in pain.

Philippines has a very interesting history

It will certainly take time to uncover its
mystery
And when all of these we’ll be able to study,
We’ll now understand its secrets and beauty.

Yes, indeed, Philippines is a blessed nation,

The one thing it lacks is diligence and
cooperation.
God loves this country and understands our pain,
So if we strive harder, all our lost will become
our gain.

Philippines might become a better country one

day,
Because with God’s help, we know that there’s
still a way.