Reading Material

1. Black, White, Brown
by Nemah N. Hermosa
(Adapted from a Philippine folktale)

2. Once upon a time, there were no people. There was only the earth and the god Kabunian.

3. He said, “The earth is a beautiful place. But who will take care of it? I will make people.”
I will make people.

4. How do you think Kabuanian
will make people?)

5. In the afternoon, Kabunian got some clay. He worked for a long time.

6. When he finished making a man, it was night. The color of the night became the color of the
man. “He is too dark,” Kabunian said.
He is too
dark.

7. Do you think Kabunian liked
the black man he made?
What do you think will he do
next?

8. The next morning, Kabunian woke up before sunrise. He got some clay. He made a man.

9. When the sun came up, Kabunian saw the man. “He is too white,” Kabunian said.
He is too
white.

10. Did Kabunian like what he
made? What do you think he
will do next?

11. So, Kabunian got more clay. He made another man. It was noon.

12. The hot sun made the man brown. “I like this brown man,” said Kabunian.
I like this
brown
man.

13. Kabunian sent the men to different parts of the Earth. That is why there are black people
and white people. That is why Filipinos are brown.