The Mermaid (Ang Kataw)

The Mermaid

The Characters in the Story

• Juan• Juana• King of the fishes• Maria

Once there lived beside the sea a couple named Juana and Juan. For a long time they were childless.

When Juana at last with child, they were quite happy. But in her pregnancy, Juana would become very restless if she did not have milkfish to eat everyday.

One afternoon, Juan failed to catch any milkfish.

He became very sad.

Suddenly Juan heard his name called. He was greatly surprised when he looked down and saw a shiny milkfish wearing a crown.

I am the King of the Fishes. Why do you fish only for milkfish?

Who are you?

I’ll give you plenty of milkfish

everyday. But in return, you are to

deliver your coming child to

me when it turns seven years old.

Juan told him the reason and his sorrow at the moment. The King of the Fishes pitied Juan.

The King of the Fishes was true to his word. Even after Juana had given birth, Juan continue to bring home milkfish from the sea.

Their child was a lovely girl with very black hair. They loved her and were very happy with her. They called her Maria.

When Maria turned seven, Juan went to see the King of the Fishes and begged him.

Have pity on us. Can’t you possibly release me from my promise? We love Maria very much and we can’t bear to part with her.

A promise is a promise.

With a heavy heart Juan went home.

Since that day the couple and Maria never went near the sea.

One day, while Juana was at the farm and Juan was doing laundry in the river, there came a big wonderful boat.

The people immediately flocked to the shore to see it. Maria was alone at that time and was looking out the window. She became curious and joined the rest on the shore.

While she was watching the wonderful boat, a big wave rushed up and dragged her to the sea.

The neighbors told the parents of the incident. Juan and Juana ran to the shore but they were too late. Maria was gone!

Every evening after that, the couple would stand by the shore and stare at the deep. They kept hoping that Maria would return. Years passed and still they failed to see her.

One moonlit night, there appeared before the old couple a lovely creature. She had very long black hair, but– while half of her body was that of a beautiful girl, the other half was that of a milkfish.

Then they knew that it was Maria, now a mermaid.

The End