A flash of lightning illuminated the cloudless night sky. The waves crashed violently along the shore, smashing on the rocks and the pier.
“He is awake.”
“What does he want?”
“The ungrateful child seeks his mother.”
“His mother?”
“The moon.”
“What does he want with her?”
“The mother has angered him and he seeks to devour her.”
“An ungrateful child.”
“He is his father’s son.”
“His father?”
“The sun.”
Lightning bursts through the sea. Only the crash of the waves breaks through the endless silence of the night. The soft glow of moonlight slowly fades from the horizon.
“He has embraced his mother and will devour her.”
“What does he hope to accomplish?”
“It does not matter.”
The roar of the waves was joined by the strike of a gong.
And another.
And another.
“Let us do what must be done.”
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Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Story inspired by:
“The Sun and the Moon” in Philippine Folklore Stories. Cole. 1916.
Tambanakaua
Ilustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
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Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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