Onyok was tired from the day’s work. The sun was bearing down mercilessly and he decided to find shelter underneath a coconut tree.
His eyes were heavy and he took the moment to drift into blissful sleep.
It was then he heard a voice.
“Have you heard the tale of the orphaned spirit?”
“Who are you? What is this? Am I dreaming?”
“No?”
“What is this? Please, I am just a farmer.”
“Have you heard the tale of the orphaned spirit?”
Onyok knew in his bones that he would have to answer,
“No, I have not.”
“Then sit close and listen.”
He took a deep breath and waited to hear the story.
=———————————————————————————=
The orphaned spirit took the form of a large snake. He was a god to some and, in the beginning, ruled the heavens that he called his home.
The world was young then, there were no seas or oceans, no plants or animals. The earth was made of nothing but hard rocks.
In his realm the god-serpent saw nothing but clouds of white. This triggered his wanderlust. He would go down to the earth and climb the highest peaks and traverse the deepest crevasses.
One day he saw another being sitting down below him.
Infused with shock, it took many moments before he could speak.
At last he asked.
‘Who are you?’
The being responded:
‘I am the ruler of the universe, Bathala.’
Incensed with anger the orphaned spirit lashed out. He challenged Bathala to combat, filled with rage.
And so, it came to pass that the orphaned spirit was slain, his power outmatched by that of Bathala.
The serpent-god’s body was buried by his opponent far from his home in the clouds.
=——————————————————————–=
“Why are you telling me this?” Onyok’s voice echoed in the dreamscape.
“Because you and all the others should know what had transpired.”
“Why should we know?”
“Let me ask you, what were you leaning on?”
“I… do not understand.”
“What were you leaning on before drifting to the realm of dreams?”
“A coconut tree?”
“Exactly. The tree holds the form of the orphaned spirit. Its trunk the god-serpent’s body. In the end Bathala made the first man and woman and, using the parts of the coconut tree, they built homes, used it for food and clothing. The coconut tree gave them life and it was, in part, because of the orphaned spirit.”
“But still, why me? Why are you telling me all this?”
“You are the first of many, those that have been touched by the orphaned spirit. You shall carry on his word and bring his story to the highest peaks and lowest depths.”
“I cant… what about my family?”
“They will not understand, and only a few will, but you will persevere.”
“And if I choose to say ‘no’?”
“Ahhh humans, always so eager to displease.”
The dreamscape trembled, shapes appeared and twisted form, the turbulence shifted and Onyok was face to face with the serpent-god.
“Now do you know what I am?”
“You are the orphaned spirit from the story.”
“Yes, little one, and I am now your master.”
“No, I refuse! I have a family, I have a farm. There are people that depend on me! I will not allow myself to be your slave!”
“There is no choice to make. The solitary god and the wandering spirit will not win again! You will spread my gospel throughout the world and gain me power!”
Onyok could feel himself change, he could see the skin around his arms change into scales. He tried to scream, and maybe he did, but no sound escaped the void surrounding him.
=————————————————=
The serpent-god smiled.
That sad little human would be the first among many to spread his word and what better way to fight the solitary god than use his own creations against him?
And now all the orphaned spirit has to do is wait.
Until his own inscrutable plans come to a head.
But until then the trees that bear his form will serve as his vessels.
To gain power.
One human at a time.
=———————————————————–=
Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Inspired by The First Coconut Tree and the Creation of man (Fansler 1911) in Philippine Folk Literature: The Myths. Eugenio. 2001
Illustration by Frances Alcaraz
Website: http://francesalcaraz.com/
FB: @TheMonsterIllustrator
IG: https://www.instagram.com/illustratorpanch
