[1] This tale told by the Ilocano is well known among both the Christianized and the wild tribes of the Philippines, and also in Borneo and Java. However, the Ilocano is the only version, so far as known, which has the explanatory element: the reason is given here why monkeys do not eat meat. The turtle is accredited with extraordinary sagacity and cunning. It is another example of the type of tale showing the victory of the weak and cunning over the strong but stupid. See “[The Turtle and the Lizard],” p. 86.
[2] All the events here given represent present-day occurrences, and the story appears to have been invented purely to amuse.
[3] The headman of the town.
[4] Here we have an excellent illustration of how a story brought in by the Spaniards has been worked over into Philippine setting. This is doubtless the classical story of Midas, but since the ass is practically unknown in the Philippines, horns (probably carabao horns) have been substituted for the ass’s ears, which grew on Midas’ head. Likewise the bamboo, which grows in abundance, takes the place of the reeds in the original tale.
[5] A common fancy in Malay legends is the supernatural origin of a child in some vegetable, usually a bamboo. See [note 2, p. 99].
[6] A bird something like a hawk.
[7] See [note 1, p. 134].
[8] This is undoubtedly a worked-over story, probably brought in from Europe. Kings, queens, palaces, etc., were, of course, unknown to the people before the advent of the Spaniards.
[9] A long knife.