Limbas was chasing his quarry with his usual swiftness, he had a reputation to uphold that no prey of his could escape his arrows, and he wasn’t about to let this one be the first. The boar thought it could evade him by running down the steep hill, but Limbas knew this forest well, there was a path that would let him catch up to the boar in little time.
He ran through familiar ground until he was confused. The path that he had taken so many times before had changed, he could not get his bearings in his own forest.
“Are you lost there stranger?” A bearded man asked. Almost immediately, Limbas knew that he was not human. There was an unmistakable aura around him, this was an engkanto, though a friendly one, Limbas thought.
“Hello, engkanto,” Limbas replied, “I am lost in what seems to be your realm.”
“Ahh, you know of my kind. I would expect no less from the great Limbas, the famed hunter. I would like to invite you to my house.”
“I thank you for your kindness, but why are you inviting me? Surely you have no interest in a lowly human such as myself?”
“That is where you are wrong, my friend. I have watched you hunt and it is great entertainment for my kind, your swiftness and strength when chasing your prey is like a dance, and I would like to thank you for showing me your prowess.”
Limbas was taken aback, all that he knew was he should accept the engkanto’s invitation. All the stories he could remember reminded him to appease the spirits, not make enemies out of them.
The house of the engkanto was bathed in magnificence. He had never seen animals that were all white in color, nor a cacao plantation that was so vast.
The most wondrous thing there was the engkanto’s carriage. It was pulled by two white horses and could take one anywhere in Luzon. Each time he would accompany the engkanto on one of his trips, he was given a reward.
“You must remember to kiss the hands of your parents before giving them gifts,” the engkanto said, “If you do not do this, the gifts you possess will not be the same.”
Limbas followed the instructions to the letter, returning to his parents after seven-day periods. Each time he came home, he had a different gift to give.
“My friend, have these golden balls, as your next gifts to your parents,” the engkanto gave Limbas the shiny objects.
“Thank you, friend engkanto, I am sure they would marvel at these beauties.”
Yet, excited as he was, Limbas forgot the instruction of the engkanto. He did not kiss their hands before giving them the gifts.
The golden balls changed into the fruits of the anahaw tree.
The engkanto, watching all of this transpire, shook his head. “When will these humans ever learn to listen?” he said sadly.
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Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Adapted from ‘Banahaw’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.
Engkanto (Tagalog) Illustration by Ysa Peñas
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