Types of Prose Narratives: A Text-Book for the Story WriterFansler, Harriott Ely
General
Types of Prose Narratives: A Text-Book for the Story Writer
Fansler, Harriott Ely
English prose literature; Storytelling
What was true of Bathala was also true of Ulilangkalulua. In his
kingdom Ulilangkalulua saw nothing but white clouds. His solitary
condition led him to visit other places. He often came down to the
earth and enjoyed himself climbing high mountains and entering deep
caves.
As he was at the top of a very high hill one day, he saw some one
sitting on a large stone down below him. He was very greatly amazed and
it was a very long time before he could speak. At last he said, "Sir,
tell me who you are."
"I am Bathala, the ruler of the universe," answered the god.
Ulilangkalulua was filled with anger when he heard these words. He
approached Bathala and said, "If you declare yourself to be the ruler
of all things, I challenge you to combat."
A long struggle took place, and after the fighting had continued about
three hours Ulilangkalulua was slain. Bathala burned his body near his
habitation.
Not many years after this event Galangkalulua, the wandering god,
happened to find Bathala's house. Bathala received him and treated him
kindly. Thus, they lived together for many years as true friends.
Unfortunately, Galangkalulua became sick. Bathala did not sleep day and
night for taking care of his friend. When Galangkalulua was about to
die, he called Bathala and said, "You have been very kind to me, and
I have nothing to repay your kindness with. But if you will do what
I tell you, there is a way in which I can benefit you. You once told
me that you had planned to create creatures of the same appearance as
you in order that you might have subjects and companions, and that you
had not been successful because you did not know how you could supply
them with all the necessary things. Now, when I die, bury my body in
Ulilangkalulua's grave. In this grave will appear the thing that will
satisfy you."
Bathala did what Galangkalulua told him, and Galangkalulua's promise
was fulfilled. From the grave grew a plant, whose nut contained water
and meat. Bathala was very anxious to examine the different parts of
the tree because he had never seen such a thing before. He took a nut
and husked it. He found that its inner skin was hard and that the
nut itself resembled the head of his friend, Galangkalulua. It had
two eyes, a flat nose, and a round mouth. Bathala then looked at the
tree itself and discovered that its leaves were really the wings of
Galangkalulua and its trunk the body of his enemy, Ulilangkalulua.
Bathala was now free to carry out his plan. He created the first man
and woman. He built a house for them, the roof and walls of which were
made of the leaves of the cocoanut and the posts of which were cocoanut
tree trunks. Thus lived happily under the cocoanut palm this couple for
many years until the whole world was crowded with their children. These
children still use the cocoanut for food and clothing--the leaves for
making mats, hats, and brooms, and the fiber for rope and other things.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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