“That is good enough reason,” said Sinukuan; “you are free.”
The turtle was the next to be summoned to Sinukuan’s court. On his arrival, he humbly replied to the question of the judge, “Honorable Judge, I carried my house with me, because the firefly was playing with fire, and I was afraid he might set fire to my home. Is it not right to protect one’s house from fire?”
“A very good reason; you are free,” said Sinukuan.
In the same way the firefly was brought to court the next day, and when the judge asked him why he was playing with fire, he said in a soft voice, “It was because I have no other means with which to protect myself from the sharp-pointed dagger of the mosquito.” This seemed a reasonable answer, so the firefly was liberated too.
Finally the mosquito was tried; and, since he did not have any good reason to give for carrying his dagger, Sinukuan sentenced him to three days’ imprisonment. The mosquito was obliged to submit; and it was during this confinement of the mosquito that he lost his voice. Ever since, the male mosquito has had no voice; and he has been afraid to carry his dagger, for fear of greater punishment.
The Pugu’s Case.
Narrated by Bienvenido Tan of Manila, who got the story from Pampanga.
“Why, horse,” said the pugu (a small bird), “did you touch my eggs, so that now they are broken?”
“Because,” said the horse, “the cock crowed, and I was startled.”
“Why, cock,” said the pugu, “did you crow, so that the horse was startled and broke my eggs?”