“Your riddles are useless, you old hag! Tell me where to find my son!” The Datu roared, shaking the foundations of the hut.
“Where giants roam,” replied the woman.
“If it was a giant I would have seen it! Speak clearly or it will cost you dearly.”
“The giants are the trees.”
“What trees?!”
“The Buri.”
“Finally an answer I can use! Which Buri tree!”
“The copse with the coconut trees as well?”
She could only nod.
“We must get there before sundown.” He commanded his warriors.
They left the hut hurriedly, knowing sunset would fall soon.
The old woman looked out her window as they passed.
“Beware of unseen giants.”
=————————-=
The Datu did not expect an army.
In the shadows of the woods, the giants lurked, one for each tree.
“We cannot win this,” one of the warriors pleaded.
They heard shouting from one of the trees to the east.
“Help me father! Help me!”
It was the Datu’s son, his tears and fears echoing amongst the late afternoon sun.
The Datu was adamant.
“We are rescuing my son, no matter what it takes.”
The sun was finishing his daily journey, leaving the moon to her devices.
They had to make a plan, something that would distract the giants long enough to get the Datu’s son.
A few of the Datu’s men stepped forward.
“We will be the distraction, great Datu. Let us cut at the giant’s ankles while you climb to get your son.”
The maiden of the night sky was particularly bright that night.
The warriors rushed to the tree with the child.
They raised their bolos and the giant roared.
The screams reverberated through the forest and the rest of the giants gathered towards the sound.
The Datu could not see the warriors, the giants blocking them from vie. He took his chance, climbing the tree.
He managed to embrace his son before the shadow of a giant enveloped them.
On its shoulder was one of the warriors from the distraction.
“Did you know that the giants can conceal themselves from mortal eyes?” The warrior had a sinister smile.
Before the Datu could reply the giant swatted him to the ground. The snap of his bones echoing through the midnight.
“I have no more use for you,” the warrior said to the child.
The giant proceeded to eat the small boy.
“Now I am Datu.”
Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Inspired by The Mantiw. in Historical Data of Culasi Antique. in Damiana Eugenio’s Philippine Folk Literature Series. The Legends. and The Remnants of the Great Ilonggo Nation. Sebastian Sta. Cruz Serag. 1997. pg 62
Illustration by Donnie Obina
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