Characters:
Iyog, Niyang, Uko, Unyang the witch, townsfolk.
Summary:
There
was once a very helpful family which consisted of the father, Iyog, a mother,
Niyang, and their only child, Uko. This family was very kind and loving and was
a great help to the townsfolk. It was Iyog, who led the construction of houses,
broken bridges. It was Niyang who wove the abaca into rope that fortified the
bridge being a great weaver, and it was Uko who served the workers with food
and water. Because of this, the central district of the town was named after
Iyog’s family, in appreciation of their kindness. Aside from that, Iyog was
chosen as town chief. Everyone was happy to have a very kind family like that
in the town except one person. The witch, Unyang. “I should be the one reaping
admiration because I have powers everyone else!” she said to herself, overcome
with envy. “I can heal the sick!”
Because
of her jealousy, she tried to buy the kindness and happiness of the family. But
because the family was content and said they didn’t need big houses and the
riches of the world. Out of rage, she used her powers and turned them into the
ash. But soon the witch’s actions were discovered and they threw her out of
town. Saddened that they no longer can see the family, they watched the as a
tree started to grow in the ashes. They watered it and cared for it. It was
strange, but when they look up to the tree, they are reminded of the
kindhearted family. The trunk of the tree was as sturdy as the posts Iyog made.
The leaves were like the caring hands of Niyang. And when they saw inside the
fruit, they likened the sweet juice to the water Uko always offered them to
drink. In time, Iyog and Niyang’s tree came to be called “niyog” (coconut). The
fruit was called “buko” (Young coconut fruit)
