The Foolish Donkey

The Foolish Donkey

An idol-maker had to deliver an idol to a customer. He placed it on his donkey's back and they started on their journey.

Now the idol-maker was extremely skilled at his job and this particular idol was one of the best he had ever made.

Whoever saw it, stopped to bow down and pray.

The donkey thought they were bowing to him.

He was enormously pleased and flattered and not wishing to go away from a place where he was held in such high esteem, came to an abrupt stop.

Nothing his master did would induce him to start walking again, and finally his master lifted the idol on to own head and resumed his journey.

The donkey stood where he was, head held high, and braying sonorously until he suddenly became aware that there was no one watching him.

The people were now following his master and bowing to the idol.

The donkey realized that his pride had clouded his judgment and feeling ashamed of himself, ran to rejoin his master.

Fox in Cart

Fox in Cart

A fox, observing a fish cart coming, lay down and pretended to be dead.

The cart man, tempted by the idea of making some money by selling the fox's fur, picked up the animal by its tail and flung it into the back of the cart among the fish.

Then he resumed his journey. The fox ate his fill of the fish and jumped out of the cart.

A wolf saw him jumping out and asked him what he had been doing in it. The fox told him and also how he had got into it in the first place.

The wolf ran ahead of the cart and lay down in its path, pretending to be dead.

The cart man was delighted to find another animal to sell, but he found the animal too heavy to lift.

So he pushed it into a sack, tied the sack to his cart and dragged it away.

The Bat’s Story

The Bat’s Story

There was a war in the animal world.

Two animals groups fought each other.

One animal group has wings.

The other animal group has four feet.

The bat did not join any group.

“I have wings,” said the bat.

“I can be with the bird group.

But I have teeth.

I can be with the animal group.

The bat thought and though.

Shall he go with the bird group?

Shall he go with the animal group?

“Ah! I know what to do.

I will go with the stronger group.

I will join whoever wins.”

So the bat watched the fight.

The birds ran after the animals.

The birds used their sharp claws.

The birds used their pointed beaks.

The animals ran away.

The bat went to the bird group.

“Hello friends,

That was a good fight.

We won over the animals.”

King Eagle looked at the bat.

“Who are you?

Are you with us?”

“Of course, I am!

I am a bird, too.

Look at my wings.

I belong to your group.”

“Welcome, bat!

Come and eat with us.

Let us celebrate.

We won over the animals.”

The birds were resting.

The animals came upon them.

The animals used their horns.

The animals used their paws.

The birds flew away.

The animals won over the birds.

The bat came out from hiding.

“Hello friends,

That was a good fight.

We won over the birds.”

King Lion looked at the bat.

Who are you?

Are you with us?”

“Of course, I am!

I am an animal, too.

Look at my teeth.

I belong to your group.”

Welcome, bat!

Come and eat with us.

Let us celebrate.

We won over the birds.”

And the fight went on.

Many birds died.

Many animals died.

The birds were tired of fighting.

The animals were tired of fighting.

King Lion and King Eagle talked.

The birds and the animals became friends.

They came together.

They ate together.

They celebrated their friendship.

The bat came out from hiding.

He was surprised.

The birds and animals were together!

King Lion looked at him.

King Eagle looked at him.

The animals looked at him.

The birds looked at him.

“Drive away the bat!” said the King Lion.

“Drive away the bat!” said the King Eagle.

“He has wings.

He has teeth.

He is not a bird.

He is not an animal.”

The birds drove the bat away.

The animals drove the bat away.

The First Shark

The First Shark

Long, long ago there lives a very rich man. He was Kablay. He owned all the fishing boats in a fishing village on the Palawan coast. He also owned the only store in the village.

Kablay lived in luxury. But the fishermen I his employ had almost nothing to eat. He bought the fishermen’s catch cheap. He asked the fishermen to pay rent for his fishing boats. The fishermen bought rice, sugar, coffee, soap and other things in Kablay’s store.

The fishermen bought these things in credit. Kablay collected the debt with the fishermen’s catch. But Kablay charged so much on the things bought. The fishermen could not catch up paying their debts. So Kablay grew richer and richer. The fishermen became poorer and poorer.

One day, Kablay was in his store.

He was counting the sales for the day.

A hungry-looking old man greeted him.

“Food! Give me some food.

Pity me.

I had not eaten for days.”

“Go away!

I have nothing for you.

If you have nothing to eat, jump into the sea.

Then you will not feel hungry anymore.”

Kablay called his servant.

“Drive this man away!

I don’t want to see his face.”

The beggar went to the fishermen’s huts.

He warned them of a coming danger.

“Go up to the hillside.

Take your clothes with you.

Bring whatever food you have.

Something terrible will happen to day.”

The sea rumbled.

Big strong waves rushed to the shore.

Lightning flashed.

Thunder roared.

The fishermen were frightened.

They took their few belongings.

They went up the hill.

Kablay heard the rumbling of the sea.

He saw the big angry waves rushing to the shore.

He saw the flash of lightning in the sky.

He heard the roar of the thunder.

But he was not afraid.

He felt happy.

The poor fishermen would be in debt again.

They would get things in credit again.

Their debts would be bigger and bigger.

The fishermen’s lives would be on his hand.

And Kablay laughed and laughed.

The sea rumbled louder.

Big strong waves dashed beyond the shore.

The waves came down on the small huts.

The waves slashed strongly on Kablay’s house.

Down toppled the house of wood and stone.

The water rose and engulfed the whole village.

Kablay was washed out to the sea.

Something happened to him.

His legs came together.

His feet became a two-pronged tail.

His arms were changed to flippers.

His skin tightened on his body.

He opened his mouth.

It became very big.

Sharp saw-like teeth grew.

Kablay became the first greedy shark.

The Foolish Dog

The Foolish Dog

There was once a dog that used to run up quietly behind people and bite their heels.

Fed up of the numerous complaints, the owner tied a bell around the dog’s neck so that the sound of the bell would alert people whenever the animal came near them.

The dog felt the bell was a reward of some sort and became extremely conceited, turning up his nose whenever he met other dogs on the street.

One day a hound brought him down to earth with some plain speaking and when the dog learnt why the bell had been put around his neck he slunk away in shame.

The Foolish Frog

The Foolish Frog

Once there were two frog friends. As they grew up, one of the frogs made his home in the rocks and shrubs that grew by the lake in the forest. But, the second from explored the surroundings for a better place to live in. Soon he found a place just by the edge of a road that ran through the forest. A few months later, the first frog said, "Why don't you come and stay with me near the lake? Many chariots and carts pass on the road. What if someone runs over and killed you?"

 "Oh! Don't worry about me. I am used to the carts now. I know how to avoid them and I don't like the boring lake." 

 So the second frog stayed by the road. One day as luck would have it, a horse cart came down the round. The frog could not hop away from the road in time so he was crushed under the cart's wheel.

 The first frog felt sorry. He thought, "One should always be prepared for the worst time. My friend lost his life because he was overconfident. He thought he would never be harmed on the road."

Foxy Rooster

Foxy Rooster

A fox sneaked into a farm and grabbed a prize rooster.

The farmer saw him and raised the alarm and he and his dogs started chasing the thief.

The fox, though he was holding the rooster in his mouth, was running very fast.

"Get him! Get him!" shouted the farmer to his dogs.

"No!" suddenly screamed the rooster. "Don't come near me!"

"My master was very cruel to me," explained the rooster to the fox. "Tell him to stay away from me."

The fox was delighted. "He wants you to stay away from him!" he shouted at the farmer, in the process releasing his hold on the rooster.

The rooster flew up into a tree and stayed there till he was rescued by his master.

Speedy Rabbit

Speedy Rabbit

A dog spotted a rabbit and started chasing him, but the rabbit got away.

Seeing this, a goat stopped to gloat.

"Too fast for you, wasn't he?" he sneered.

"Why are you surprised?" said the dog. "I was chasing him for fun; he was running for his life."

The Clever Sheep

The Clever Sheep

One day a wolf cornered a sheep.

"You can't escape,” said the wolf, baring his teeth.

"I know," said the sheep, softly.

"Please grant me a last wish. Sing a song so that I may dance one last time.'

"Certainly,' said the wolf and throwing back his head began to howl.

The Foolish Animals

 The Foolish Animals

Mother Hen was scratching for food.

She scratched the ground for some worms.

She scratched the ground for some seeds.

Then a hard pill nut fell and hit her.

Mother Hen looked up.

The clouds were dark.

The sky seemed moving.

“The sky is falling!

The sky is falling!”

She cackled and ran away.

She met father Rooster.

“What is the matter?

Why are you cackling so loud?

Why are you running so fast?”

“The sky is falling!

I am running away.

I am going to the king’s palace.

But I don’t know the way.”

“May I go with you?

Let us look for the King’s palace.’

Father Rooster and Mother Hen ran together.

They met Cousin Duck.

“What is the matter?

Why are you running so fast?

“The sky is falling!

We are running away.

We are going to the king’s palace.

But we don’t know the way.”

“May I go with you?

Let us look for the King’s palace.’

Father Rooster, Mother Hen and Cousin Duck ran together.

They met Mr. Fox.

Mr. Fox looked at the three animals.

How big and fat were their legs.

How big and fat were their breasts.

They looked juicy and tender.

“What is the matter?

Why are you running so fast?

“The sky is falling!

We are running away.

We are going to the king’s palace.

But we don’t know the way.”

“I know the King’s palace.

Come with me.

I will take you there.

Follow me.”

The fox walked ahead.

Mother Hen, Father Rooster and Cousin Duck followed him.

Mr. Fox looked back every now and then.

He wanted to be sure the three animals walked behind him.

Mr. Fox took them to a cave.

He pointed the cave to the three animals.

“Here is the King’s palace.

Walk right in.

The King is there.

I will follow you.”

The three animals walked into the cave.

Mr. Fox followed them.

Some hours later the fox came out.

The three animals  did not come out.

The Wise Goat

The Wise Goat

A wolf had been hunting all day in the forest.

He did not find any prey. He did not see rabbits or chickens or sheep.

The wolf was very hungry.

He was in terrible mood.

“I will go down the hill once more.

I might see a lamb or kid separated from its mother.

I have to have something to eat.

I am very, very hungry.”

The wolf walked slowly behind the tress.

He smelled the air.

He smelled the presence of an animal.

He looked carefully for his prey.

And sure there was his prey.

He saw a goat grazing on an open space.

He leaped high and fast.

Soon he was before the goat.

“Don’t move!

You can not go anywhere.

I am going to eat you this minute!”

The goat realized she could not run away.

“I have to use my head not my legs.” Said the goat to herself.

The goat calmly said to the wolf.

“I would have been a good dinner for you last year.

I have three little kids now.

See how skinny I am.”

“I don’t care how many kids you have.

I am going to eat you right now.

I will look for your kids later.”

“Stop! Look how skinny I am.

I know where you can have something good and fat.”

The wolf backed off and listened.

“There is a well near here.

In the bottom of it is a big piece of meat.

My kids can not eat it.

You may get it.”

“Are you not fooling me?”

“Come, follow me.

I will show you how fat and juicy the meat is.”

And the goat walked slowly away.

She looked back.

The wolf walked close to her.

He was not making any chances.

A skinny goat is better than no meat at all.

The moon shone bright and full in the clear sky.

The two animals reached the well.

“Look for yourself!

See how big and juicy the meat looks!”

The wolf leaned over the well.

Mouth watered at the sight of the fat, round juicy meat.

He leaned further thinking how to get the meat.

The goat backed from the well and gave the wolf a hard kick.

And the goat ran fast and away from the forest.

Why Cats and Dogs Fight

 Why Cats and Dogs Fight

Long, long ago there were only to people in the earth.

They were Da Maria and Ba Indo. The couple had four animals.

The cow and the horse worked in the field.

They pulled firewood from the mountain.

They carried water from the river.

They lived in the stable near the couple’s house.

But the dog and the cat did not work.

The dog was very loyal.

He licked the hand and feet of his masters.

He wagged his tail whenever he saw them.

The cat was very clean.

She washed herself often.

She licked her fur and sunned herself.

They lived, slept, and ate in the house.

The dog sensed the cow and the horse did not like them.

So he talked with the cat.

“Friend cat, our masters are getting old.

Are you not afraid what would happen to us?”

“What do you mean friend dog?”

“Those two beasts do not like us.

What will happen to us if our masters are gone?”

“Leave that to me!” said the cat.

“I have thought of this before.

We will stay as we are.

We shall never work!”

“How shall we do it?

Those two animals are huge.

They would kill us!”

“I had prepared this paper.

Let us ask our master to sign it.”

“What does that document say?

How will it help us?”

“This paper says we shall be the new masters.

Those two animals will work for us forever.”

The old couple signed the paper.

They told the cow and the horse about it.

The cow and the horse got angrier.

“Let us steal the paper!

Let us destroy it,” said the Cow.

But the dog and the cat were to wise.

The dog buried the paper.

The cow and the horse did not stop looking for the paper.

“Let us ask the rat to help us.

The rat knows every corner of the house,” said the horse

And the rat sniffed here and there.

She looked every into every corner of the house.

She looked every corner of the garden.

And the art found the paper.

The horse neighed and neighed.

The cow mowed and mowed.

The rat squeaked and squeaked.

The cat and the dog went out to find out what the noise is all about.

“New masters of the house eh?” said the horse.

“Looked what we shall do with this paper!” said the cow.

And the cow and the horse trampled the paper.

The rat gnawed at it.

And the paper was gone.

“You fool!” cried the cat to the dog.

“Why did you hide that paper in the garden?”

And the cat clawed the dog.

The dog chased the cat.

And the fight began.

Up to now, the cat and the dog were never friends.

The Ailing Deer

The Ailing Deer

A sick stag was lying in a corner, helpless and weak.

He was glad he had collected enough grass to last him through his period of illness.

But suddenly, to his dismay, he saw that some friends who had come to see him were helping themselves to the food.

"Please go away," he said. "My illness will not kill me but your greed certainly could."

A friend in need is a friend indeed

A friend in need is a friend indeed

Once upon a time there lived a lion in a forest. One day after a heavy meal. It was sleeping under a tree. After a while, there came a mouse and it started to play on the lion. Suddenly the lion got up with anger and looked for those who disturbed its nice sleep. Then it saw a small mouse standing trembling with fear. The lion jumped on it and started to kill it. The mouse requested the lion to forgive it. The lion felt pity and left it. The mouse ran away.

On another day, the lion was caught in a net by a hunter. The mouse came there and cut the net. Thus it escaped. There after, the mouse and the lion became friends. They lived happily in the forest afterwards.

Boar with Foresight

Boar with Foresight

A wild boar was rubbing his tusks against a tree.

A fox passing by asked him what he was doing.

"My tusks are my weapons," said the boar. " I'm sharpening them."

"Why waste time sharpening your weapons when there's no danger in sight?" said the fox. "You're being foolish."

Just then a hunter appeared on the scene.

Frightened by the boar's sharpened tusks, he turned on the fox instead and shot him dead.

A Town Mouse and a Country Mouse

A Town Mouse and a Country Mouse

A Town Mouse and a Country Mouse was friends. The Country Mouse one day invited his friend to come and see him at his home in the fields. The Town Mouse came and they sat down to a dinner of barleycorns and roots the latter of which had a distinctly earthy flavor.

The flavor was not much to the taste of the guest and presently he broke out with “My poor dear friend, you live here no better than the ants. Now, you should just see how I fare! My larder is a regular horn of plenty. You must come and stay with me and I promise you shall live on the fat of the land."

So when he returned to town he took the Country Mouse with him and showed him into a larder containing flour and oatmeal and figs and honey and dates.

The Country Mouse had never seen anything like it and sat down to enjoy the luxuries his friend provided. But before they had well begun, the door of the larder opened and some one came in. The two Mice scampered off and hid themselves in a narrow and exceedingly uncomfortable hole. Presently, when all was quiet, they ventured out again. But some one else came in, and off they scuttled again. This was too much for the visitor. "Good bye," said he, "I'm off. You live in the lap of luxury, I can see, but you are surrounded by dangers whereas at home I can enjoy my simple dinner of roots and corn in peace."

Elephant and Friends

Elephant and Friends

One day an elephant wandered into a forest in search of friends.

He saw a monkey on a tree.

“Will you be my friend?” asked the elephant.

“You are too big,” Replied the monkey. You can not swing from trees like me.”

Next, the elephant met a rabbit. He asked him to be his friends.

But the rabbit said, “You are too big to play in my burrow!”

Then the elephant met a frog.

“Will you be my friend? He asked.

“How can I?” asked the frog.

“You are too big to leap about like me.”

The elephant was upset. He met a fox next.

“Will you be my friend?” he asked the fox.

The fox said, “Sorry, sir, you are too big.”

The next day, the elephant saw all the animals in the forest running for their lives.

The elephant asked them what the matter was.

The bear replied, “There is a tier in the forest. He’s trying to gobble us all up!”

The animals all ran away to hide.

The elephant wondered what he could do to solve everyone in the forest.

Meanwhile, the tiger kept eating up whoever he could find.

The elephant walked up to the tiger and said, “Please, Mr. Tiger do not eat up these poor animals.”

“Mind your own business!” growled the tiger.

The elephant has a no choice but to give the tiger a hefty kick.

The frightened tiger ran for his life.

The elephant ambled back into the forest to announce the good news to everyone.

All the animals thanked the elephant.

They said, “You are just the right size to be our friend.”

Hungry Wolf

Hungry Wolf

Once, a wolf was very hungry. It looked for food here and there. But it couldn't get any. At last it found a loaf of bread and piece of meat in the hole of a tree.

The hungry wolf squeezed into the hole. It ate all the food. It was a woodcutter's lunch. He was on his way back to the tree to have lunch. But he saw there was no food in the hole, instead, a wolf.

On seeing the woodcutter, the wolf tried to get out of the hole. But it couldn't. Its tummy was swollen.

The woodcutter caught the wolf and gave it nice beatings.

The Two Goats

The Two Goats

There were two goats.

 Over a river there was a very narrow bridge.

 One day a goat was crossing this bridge.

 Just at the middle of the bridge he met another goat.

 There was no room for them to pass.

 "Go back," said one goat to the other, "There is no room for both of us".

 "Why should I go back?” said the other goat. "Better you must go back."

 “You must go back”, said the first goat, "because I am stronger than you.”

 "You are not stronger than I”, said the second goat.

 "We will see about that", said the first goat and he put down his horns to fight.

 "Stop!” said the second goat.

 “If we fight, we shall both fall into the river and be drowned and instead I have a plan. I shall lie down and you may walk over me.”

 Then the wise one laid down on the bridge and the other goat walked highly over him.

 So they crossed the bridge comfortably and went on their ways.

Long Trunk of Elephant

Long Trunk of Elephant 

A long, long time ago, the Elephants had a small trunk. It was not as long as it is now.

One day an Elephant saw a crocodile in a river bank. The Elephant teased said, "Hey, you crawling creatures, I wonder why you are not small like the other creatures. You are too long for your comfort."

The crocodile lost his temper at being called a crawler. So he said, "Now I'll show you how strong a crawling creature can be!"

So immediately the crocodile caught the Elephant's trunk in his mouth. The Elephant cried out in pain and tried to pull his trunk out but the crocodile held on to it. Soon the other animals heard the Elephant's cries and came to help. They pulled the Elephant by the tail and so this pulling caused the trunk to be stretched long. The Elephant grew very sad at this, but the animals told him the advantages of a long trunk. So the Elephant felt happy again.