Sunday, March 15, 2009

Why the Mango Fruit is Shaped Like a Heart

In one of the villages of Kalibo, Aklan province, there lived a long time ago, a man named Daeogdog. His temper was as violent as thunder (daeogdog). But Daeogdog married a sweet, kind, and ubderstanding woman, Mabuot. They had a lovely daughter, Aganhon, who was as beautiful as the dawn.
Years passed and Aganhon grew up to be more beautiful than ever. Suitors from afar came to ask for her hand. Among these,Daeogdog chose a man named Maeogpig who also had an uncontrollable temper. Aganhon pleaded on her knees not to be forced to marry Maeopig. Even Mabuot shed tears to soften the heart of her husband.
"No," burst he, "She must marry Maeogpig."
The date of the marriage was set. Maeogpig danced with joy at having won the hand of lovely Aganhon. But Aganhon wept. For days, she imprisoned herself inside the house.
The wedding day came. Daeogdog's house was crowded with guests. The ceremonies were about to start, but where was Aganhon? She was not in her room. She was not in the village.
Her body was found near a spring ,lifeless, a dagger buried in her breast. Daeogdog locked himself up in his house and tore his hair in despair.
The night after her burial, Aganhon's ghost appeared to her father. It bade him go down by the spring in the morning, for he would find a tree with heart-shaped fruits.
"Take these fruits in remembrance of me whose heart you have broken."
Next morning, Daeogdog ran to the spring pointed by the spirit. True enough, befor him stood a sturdy tree and from its branches hung several heart-shaped fruits. But no one dared eat of its fruits till a brave man plucked one and ate it with relish.
daeogdog, now very sorry, told the people to plant the seed of the tree, as a reminder to all fathers never to force their children against their will.
The people did as they were told. And soon many trees grew in the village. The trees bore heart-shaped fruits which the people named Mango, meaning heart-shaped.

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