The Legend of the Coconut

1. The Legend of the
Coconut

2. In the beginning of time, the world was made up of earth, the sky and
clouds. Nothing lived in it except for three Gods- Bathala, Ulitang
Kaluluwa and Galang Kaluluwa.

3. Bathala was a giant with sturdy arms and legs. He lived on earth.

4. Ulilang Kaluluwa was a huge snake with a long and slender but sturdy
trunk. He lived among the highest clouds.

5. Galang Kaluluwa was a very round head with wings, a flat nose and a
round mouth. He lived in the sky.
Each one thought he was the only God in the whole universe.

6. Bathala dreamed that in the time he would be able to create mortals who
would keep him company on earth.But how would his creation survive?
The earth was rocky and mountainous , perpetually dry under the scorching
sun, there were no trees or plants or grass nor ocean or drop of water.

7. One day, Bathala was surprised to find a giant snake coiled on the rocks
while basking under the sun.

8. “Hey who are you?”
The snake was jolted. “who are you yourself?” he hissed.
“I am Bathala , the ruler of all things you see”.
The snake uncoiled itself. He hissed angrily. “I am Ulilang Kaluluwa. No
two gods can rule everything in the universe.”

9. The snake challenge Bathala to a duel to determine who was the rightful
ruler of the universe.
The earth trembled , rocks flew, dust surged, and the mountains almost
split as Bathala fought it out with his rival.
After three days and three nights, Bathala was able to subdue the giant
snake’s slender but sturdy trunk.

10. Time passed. One day, Bathala saw a round head with a pair of wide
wings land on earth. It was Galang Kaluluwa, the god of the sky. Because
he was lonely being alone. Bathala gladly invited Galang Kaluluwa to
stay with him in his home. They become the best of friends as years
went by.

11. But Bathala was saddened when Galang Kaluluwa fell ill. His friend
became bedridden, and on his deathbed. Galang Kalauluwa gave him
instuction.
“Bathala my friend, I am grateful for all the kindness you showed me.
Here what I have to say, Bury me where you burned the body of Ulilang
Kaluluwa. On the spot will grow the fullfilment of your dreams to your
kingdom…”

12. Bathala followed his friend’s instructions. He burried Galang Kaluluwa’s
body at the foot of the mountain where Ulilang Kaluluwa’s ashes where
scathered.
In time, Galang Kaluluwa’s promise came to pass. At the foot of the
highest mountain sprang a strange plant.

13. The strange plant bore fruits. And when Batahala removed the husk of
one of the round fruits, he found a hard nut so much like Galang
Kaluluwa’s head. It bore a pair of eyes, a flat nose and a round mouth.

14. Bathala cracked open the nut and its sweet juice gushed out. The flesh
as white as the clouds where Ulilang Kaluluwa once reigned.

15. Bathala realized the time had come for him to create the mortals with
whom he wanted to live on earth. With the trunk and leaves of the
strange plant , he could build houses where his creation could dwell. Its
fruit would provide them nourishements.

16. Bathala created the first pair of mortals-a man and a woman. From this
pair the human race has begotten.

17. To this race, Bathala passed on the responsibility of nurturing the
strange plant, which in due time the people came to call “the tree of
life”- the coconut.

18. THE END
MARJORIE ROSETE