Then the earthquake called on all the birds and fish to see what should be done with these two, and it was decided that they should marry.  Many children were born to the couple, and from them came all the different races of people.

After a while the parents grew very tired of having so many idle and useless children around, and they wished to be rid of them, but they knew of no place to send them to.  Time went on and the children became so numerous that the parents enjoyed no peace.  One day, in desperation, the father seized a stick and began beating them on all sides.

This so frightened the children that they fled in different directions, seeking hidden rooms in the house—­some concealed themselves in the walls, some ran outside, while others hid in the fireplace, and several fled to the sea.

Now it happened that those who went into the hidden rooms of the house later became the chiefs of the Islands; and those who concealed themselves in the walls became slaves.  Those who ran outside were free men; and those who hid in the fireplace became negroes; while those who fled to the sea were gone many years, and when their children came back they were the white people. [155]

The Story of Benito

Tagalog

Benito was an only son who lived with his father and mother in a little village.  They were very poor, and as the boy grew older and saw how hard his parents struggled for their scanty living he often dreamed of a time when he might be a help to them.

One evening when they sat eating their frugal meal of rice the father told about a young king who lived in a beautiful palace some distance from their village, and the boy became very much interested.  That night when the house was dark and quiet and Benito lay on his mat trying to sleep, thoughts of the young king repeatedly came to his mind, and he wished he were a king that he and his parents might spend the rest of their lives in a beautiful palace.

The next morning he awoke with a new idea.  He would go to the king and ask for work, that he might in that way be able to help his father and mother.  He was a long time in persuading his parents to allow him to go, however, for it was a long journey, and they feared that the king might not be gracious.  But at last they gave their consent, and the boy started out The journey proved tiresome.  After he reached the palace, he was not at first permitted to see the king.  But the boy being very earnest at last secured a place as a servant.

It was a new and strange world to Benito who had known only the life of a little village.  The work was hard, but he was happy in thinking that now he could help his father and mother.  One day the king sent for him and said: 

“I want you to bring to me a beautiful princess who lives in a land across the sea.  Go at once, and if you fail you shall be punished severely,”