There was an old woman who kept a peculiar pet
It taught more about medicine than anyone you’ve met
It was small and cheerful, so full of mirth
You wouldn’t think it lived inside the earth
One day the old woman went out of her house
She was chasing away a naughty little mouse
A boy was lost in the forest and said
“I’m hungry. Maybe here I can find some bread.”
He went in the house and looked all around
But to his disappointment, nothing could be found
He turned around and fell flat on his face
The boy tripped on the Kokok’s sleeping place!
Its head was pointed and it slept in the ground
So it wouldn’t make any kind of sound
The boy asked the Kokok if he could have a meal
And it said only if the boy agreed to a deal
The boy had to turn around and close his eyes
Then the Kokok would give him his prize
The boy did as he was told
And the Kokok opened its mouth, it was a sight to behold
It ate the small child with one loud crunch
It had almost forgotten it had skipped lunch
The woman came back and asked what had happened
The Kokok said “nothing” and she was gladdened
So to all the children lost and alone
Have some advice that should be known:
Look at the Kokok and don’t believe its lies
And when it laughs its lips cover its eyes
Run from the Kokok and don’t look back
Or you might be the Kokok’s next snack
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Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Poem inspired by Kokok entry in 101 Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang. Samar. 2015.
Watercolor by Tara Singson
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