The Monkey and the Tortoise - Page 2 of 2
As told in English and Illustrated by José Rizal
Original text in English
The tortoise meditated revenge. She went to the river, picked up some pointed snails[1] planted them around the banana tree, and hid herself under a cocoa-nut shell. When the monkey came down, he hurt himself and began to bleed.
After a long search, he found the tortoise.
You wretched creature, here you are!
said he. You must pay for your wickedness; you must die. But as I am very generous, I will leave to you the choice of your death. Shall I pound you in a mortar, or shall I throw you into the water? Which do you prefer?
The mortar, -- the mortar
, answered the tortoise : I am so afraid of getting drowned.
O ho!
laughed the monkey; indeed! You are afraid of getting drowned! Now I will drown you.
And, going to the shore, he slung the tortoise and threw it in the water. But soon the tortoise reappeared swimming and laughing at the deceived, artful monkey.
[1] A kind of spiral periwinkle, called susó in Tagal.
Sources: Pictorial Album on Rizal (Album Pictórico Sobre Rizal) Foremost Filipino Hero, Martyr and Patriot (Manila: José Rizal National Centennial Commission, Republic of the Philippines); 1962.
Sebastian, Federico B.; Dalawang Pabulang Silanganin (Manila: Banaag Press); 1943.
See also the The Monkey and the Tortoise / Ang Buhay ni Matsing at ni Pagong As told in English and Illustrated by José Rizal (Tagalog translation by Federico B. Sebastian) Tagalog version and The Monkey and the Tortoise / Ang Buhay ni Matsing at ni Pagong Illustrated by José Rizal (Tagalog translation by Federico B. Sebastian) Bilingual (English-Tagalog) version.