10 Philippine folktales, stories and legends for children
The Philippines has a rich tradition of storytelling filled with magic, heroes, and life lessons. These tales reflect the culture, values, and imagination of the Filipino people. Philippine folktales, stories and legends for children are a fun and meaningful way to introduce young readers to these traditions.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Philippine folktales, stories and legends for children
- 1. The Monkey and the Turtle
- 2. Why the Fish Has Scales
- 3. The Carabao and the Shell
- 4. The Story of Piña
- 5. The Man with the Coconuts
- 6. Mother Mountain
- 7. The Boy Who Became a Stone
- 8. The Necklace and the Comb
- 9. The Hawk and the Hen
- 10. The Sun and the Moon
- What is the most famous Philippine folktale?
- What is an example of a Philippine myth and legend?
- What are the famous folktales in the Philippines?
- What are the examples of legend's stories in the Philippines?
- Are there Filipino stories for children?
- What are some famous Filipino epic stories?
- What is an example of a legend's story in the Philippines?
- Is Maria Makiling a legend or a myth?
Key takeaways
- Philippine folktales teach children values like kindness, bravery, and respect.
- These stories help engagingly preserve culture and traditions.
- They spark imagination and make learning enjoyable for young readers.
- Some of the most popular Philippine folktales include The Monkey and the Turtle, The Carabao and the Shell, and Mother Mountain.
Philippine folktales, stories and legends for children
Philippine folktales, stories and legends for children are traditional narratives from the Philippines that are passed down through generations and adapted for young audiences. They feature mythical creatures, heroes, and everyday characters while teaching moral lessons and cultural values.
These stories help children understand Filipino heritage in an engaging and age-appropriate way. Below are ten Philippine folktales, stories and legends for children that continue to inspire and entertain young readers.
1. The Monkey and the Turtle
The Monkey and the Turtle is a perfect example of a folktale short story by the Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal. A classic story that teaches honesty and fairness is often included in Philippine folktales with a moral lesson. The story focuses on the monkey and the turtle, who were friends.
They both saw a floating banana plant on the water. They thought of splitting it so they could plan it. The monkey chose the upper part of the plant, for he thought it was better. Meanwhile, the turtle got the bottom part with the roots and grew an abundant plant.
Since the turtle couldn't climb the tree to get the fruits, he asked the monkey to get them. Instead, the monkey betrayed the turtle and ate every fruit. The turtle planned revenge on him, which ended in the monkey's death. The monkey's friends also planned revenge, but did not win over the turtle.
2. Why the Fish Has Scales
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The Girl Who Turned into a Fish and Other Classic Philippine Water Tales, Filipino as narrated by Maria Elena Paterno. A classic cautionary story about vanity and pride, often listed among famous Filipino folktales. This Filipino folktale talks about a beautiful girl who grew up vain and spoiled.
She admired her beauty by the river when the chief of crabs adored her beauty and spoke to her. She was shocked and shoved Philippinethe crab. In return, the chief scratched her face and cursed her for becoming a fish with many scales.
3. The Carabao and the Shell
The Carabao and the Shell from Mabel Cook Cole's Philippine Folk Tales talk about the race between the carabao and the shell. A short and clever story that clearly serves as an example of a short story or folktale. The carabao thought the shell to be very slow.
When the race began, the carabao went a long distance; he shouted "shell", and another shell answered. He continued, and another shell would answer whenever he shouted to find a shell. Carabao was determined to win the race, so he kept running until he got exhausted and died.
4. The Story of Piña
Why the Piña Has a Hundred Eyes is a traditional tale explaining the origin of the pineapple, commonly found in collections such as Mabel Cook Cole's Philippine folk tales. It is narrated by Neni Sta, Romana-Cruz, who depicts the folktale about Pinang, an adorable yet lazy girl. The time came when her mother first asked her to cook, which she ignored.
She could not find the ladle when she finally agreed to do it. Her frustrated mother hoped that Pinang could grow a hundred eyes for being lazy so that she could find everything. Later on, Pinang disappeared, and then a yellow fruit with a hundred eyes grew in their backyard.
5. The Man with the Coconuts
Another example of a folktale from Mabel Cook Cole is The Man with the Coconuts. It narrates the story of a man who gathered his coconuts and loaded them onto his horse. He asked a boy how long it would take to go home. A simple lesson on patience and wisdom, often published as Philippine folktales, stories and legends for children with pictures.
"If you go slowly, you will arrive very soon, but if you go fast, it will take you all day," said the boy, and the man found it strange. So he hurried his horse, and the coconuts would fall every time he did this. He was able to reach home when it was already nighttime.
6. Mother Mountain
A symbolic origin story with emotional depth, fitting the imaginative style of Philippine fairy tales, Mother Mountain talks about a widow with her two daughters who want nothing but to play. The mother asked her daughters to prepare their dinner after finishing work. The daughters were not there when the mother came home, so she cooked the dinner herself.
As soon as the daughters came home, they saw their mother preparing dinner and yet decided to play again. The mother got frustrated and left the house. It was late at night, and the daughters followed her. Little do they know that their mother turned into the shape of a mountain called Mt. Iraya.
7. The Boy Who Became a Stone
This Filipino legend tells the story of a young boy named Elonen who was making a bird snare when a bird called to him to come and catch it. The boy finished making the snare and caught the bird, putting it in a jar in his house while he went swimming with the other boys.
His grandmother grew hungry and ate the bird while he was away. When Elonen returned and found out, he became so sad that he went to the forest and walked a long way until he found a big stone. He asked the stone to open its mouth and eat him, and it did. It is a touching legend retold in many adaptations of Philippine folktales stories, and legends for children in English.
8. The Necklace and the Comb
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The Necklace and the Comb are of a mystical legend explaining the stars and moon, sometimes shared alongside scary Filipino folktales due to their supernatural elements. It tells the story of Inday, who adored her necklace and comb. She was given these as a family heirloom on her sixteenth birthday.
She kept the necklace and comb with her even while working, so she put those on the cloud to avoid spoiling them. Her necklace and comb went up later on with the sky. The time came, the comb became the quarter moon, and then the necklace turned into the stars.
9. The Hawk and the Hen
The Hawk and the Hen is a story explaining animal behaviour, commonly included in collections of Filipino folk tales for kids. This Philippine folktale is about a hawk who once saw a hen on earth and decided he wanted to marry her. He asked her to be his wife, and she agreed, but only if she could grow wings like his.
The hawk agreed and flew away, giving her a ring as an engagement present. The hen was proud of the ring and wore it around her neck. The hen threw away the ring, and when the hawk returned with beautiful feathers for her, he noticed the ring was missing.
The hen lied to the hawk and said she lost the ring when encountering a snake. The hawk knew she was lying and punished her by making her scratch the ground to find the ring and threatening to take away any of her chicks that he found.
10. The Sun and the Moon
There was a quarrel between the Sun and the Moon, and the Sun insulted the Moon by saying that she was not much good because she was only the Moon and depended on him for light.
The Moon responded by saying that women preferred her because they could spin outside when she shone at night. This made the Sun very angry, and he threw sand in the Moon's face, which left dark spots on her face that can still be seen today.
Any child who grew up listening to any Filipino story is not only exposed to the Philippines' rich history and mythology, but they also develop a deeper appreciation for their culture. These tales are a rich source of cultural history that is both amusing and educational.
What is the most famous Philippine folktale?
Some of the popular Philippine folktales include:
- The Monkey and the Turtle
- Why the Fish has Scales
- The Story of Piña
- Mother Mountain
- The Necklace and the Comb
- The Carabao and the Shell
- The Man with the Coconuts
- The Boy Who Became a Stone
- The Hawk and the Hen
- The Sun and the Moon
What is an example of a Philippine myth and legend?
A good example of a Philippine myth and legend is the story of the Bathala, who is the supreme god of the ancient Tagalog people. He is regarded as the creator of the universe, the earth, and all living things. Bathala is a kind and just god who is worshipped by the people through prayers, offerings, and rites, according to folklore. He is also linked to natural events like thunder, lightning, and storms.
What are the famous folktales in the Philippines?
Traditional Philippine folktales such as "The Monkey and the Turtle," "The Legend of Maria Makiling," and "The Sun and the Moon" are well-known for their cultural significance and the ways in which they explain the origins of various natural phenomena. The myth of Juan's exploits, the creation narrative "Si Malakas at si Maganda," and the legend of Mount Kanlaon are among the other interesting stories.
What are the examples of legend's stories in the Philippines?
Popular Philippine legends, which have their origins in folklore and oral tradition, frequently detail the history of fruits, natural landmarks, and cultural beliefs. The Mariang Makiling love story, the origin myth Si Malakas at si Maganda, and the cautionary tale of the 100-eyed Pinang (pineapple) are all prime examples.
Are there Filipino stories for children?
There is a plethora of children's books published in the Philippines that cover a wide range of topics, including folklore, everyday life, and moral precepts. Many of these books are available in bilingual Tagalog or English versions. Tales concerning local cuisine, traditions, and culture are popular examples, as are Filipino children's favourite stories and Mga Pasahero sa Dyip.
What are some famous Filipino epic stories?
Many of the most well-known epic stories in the Philippines have a rich pre-colonial narrative that is full of adventure, magic, and heroic deeds. These stories frequently showcase cultural values as heroes fight monsters or other supernatural beings. Some notable instances are Biag ni Lam-ang from Ilocos, Hinilawod from Panay, Ibalon from Bicol, Darangen from Maranao, and Hudhud ni Aliguyon from Ifugao.
What is an example of a legend's story in the Philippines?
The Legend of Mayon Volcano: This legend narrates the tragic love story of Daragang Magayon and Panganoron, whose love led to the formation of the perfectly-shaped Mayon Volcano in Albay.
Is Maria Makiling a legend or a myth?
As is often the case in many parts of the Philippines and around the world, mountains and volcanoes became associated with legends, myths and ancient traditions and Mount Makiling is strongly associated with a mythical female entity named Maria Makiling.
These stories help children learn important values while enjoying exciting adventures. Reading Philippine folktales, stories and legends for children keeps cultural heritage alive. They encourage imagination and a love for reading from an early age.
Kami.com.ph recently published an article on how to play Tumbang Preso in the Philippines. Tumbang Preso is also known as Tumba lata or Bato lata, and its popularity has been consistent over the years.
The fantastic sport has been passed down from generation to generation due to the enjoyment and creativity it provides. It is a unique traditional Filipino game that is popular among Filipino children.
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