Hardly had he spoken when the palace shook to its foundations and a mighty voice thundered, "Is it thus thou Slightest my word? Thou art Loku. All shall indeed know thy name. From every crevice thou shalt forever cry it in a form that suits thy ill nature." The courtiers, alarmed by the shock, rushed to the king's chamber, but Loku was nowhere to be found. The royal robes lay scattered on the floor and the only living thing to be seen was an ugly lizard that blinked at them from among the plans on the table. They searched far and wide, and when no trace of the king could be found the courtiers divided the kingdom and ruled so wisely and well that there was peace for many years. As for Loku, you may still hear him fulfilling his punishment. From crack and crevice, tree and shrub, he calls his name from dark till dawn: "Lok-u! Lok-u! Lok-u!" And he must cry it forever. The Light of the Fly The firefly abounds everywhere in the Islands. I The King of the Air was in terrible rage, For some one had stolen his ring; And every one wondered whoever could dare To do such a terrible thing. He called all his subjects together and said, "To him that shall find it I'll give Whatever he asks, and this bounty of mine Shall last while his family live." II Away went his good loyal subjects to search, And no one remained but a fly. "Be off!" said the King, "go and join in the search; Would you slight such a ruler as I?" Then up spoke the fly with his little wee voice: "The ring is not stolen," he said. "It stuck to your crown when you put it away, And now it's on top of your head." III The King in surprise took the crown from his head, And there, sure enough, was the ring. "No wonder you saw it, with so many eyes; But what is your wish?" said the King. "O King," said the fly, "I work hard all the day, And I never can go out at night. I should like to go then and be gay with my friends, So all that I wish is a light." IV "You shall have it at once," said the gratified King, And he fastened a light to the fly, Who straightway returned to his home with the prize That was worth more than money could buy. So now you can see him at night with his light And from him this lesson may learn: To keep your eyes open and see the least thing, And Fortune will come in its turn. Mangita and Larina This is a tale told in the lake district of Luzon. At times of rain or in winter the waters of the Laguna de Bai rise and detach from the banks a peculiar vegetation that resembles lettuce. These plants, which float for months down the Pasig River, gave rise, no doubt, to the story. Many years ago there lived on the banks of the Laguna de Bai a poor fisherman whose wife had died, leaving him two beautiful daughters named Mangita and Larina.