How My Brother Leon Brought Home A Wife

by Manuel Arguilla

Summary

Leon and his wife Maria are about to return to Leon’s village after getting married. They had
met in the city and Maria has never lived in a village. They are greeted by Baldo, Leon’s
younger sibling, as their horse carriage stops outside the village. Baldo welcomes the new
member of the family. He is impressed by her beauty and soft feature. He observes her nice
fragrance and radiant smile. He ties their bull, named Labang, to the cart and Leon hauls their
trunk on it. Baldo encourages Maria to touch Labang’s hair and horns. She is awestruck at
Labang’s strength and horns. Leon helps her on the cart and she sits on a bale of husk. They
start their journey and Leon has the reins.

After going a little further, Baldo takes the reins and takes a sudden route change into the
rocky road of Waig and surrounding fields. Leon enquiries about the change of route and
Baldo assure him that he is only following their father’s orders. Baldo and Leon both question
Maria about her views about their village, fields and rocky roads. She is enthralled by the
natural beauty and simple lifestyle. She condemns the sheer number of vehicles and noise in
the city. She loves the starry and clear skies over the lush fields. She and Leon even start to
sing a song that Leon was taught by his father about the sowed fields under clear skies. They
meet a couple of people after coming out of the fields but not many as most people avoid
using the fields after dark.They finally reach their house and are welcomed by Leon’s mother
and sister. They are smiling and excited. Leon enquiries about his father who is in his room
struggling with leg pain (injured in the revolution).

Baldo goes to tie Labang and when he returns he finds Maria talking and crying with his
mother and sister. His hears his father’s call and goes to meet him. His father questions about
Maria’s conduct and her behaviour throughout their journey to the house. It was test designed
to see if she can adjust and accept the life of the village and make it her home.
Baldo reassures him about her live for Leon and commitment to their marriage. He confirms
his observation that Maria was ready to embrace their house as her home. Their conversation
is disturbed as the new couple enters to meet with the father. Baldo leaves the room giving
them some space with the head of the family.