Kwentong Alamat: Ang Alamat ng Durian

Summary

The story revolves around Aling Duria, an old woman known for her ill temper and generosity. One day, she scolds a young boy for resting in her yard, unknowingly invoking the wrath of a tree spirit. The spirit curses her, turning her into a durian tree as a symbol of her wickedness. The fruit's thorns represent her heart, its smell her behavior, and its taste her life. Aling Duria pleads for forgiveness, but it's too late; the durian fruit remains a reminder of her misdeeds. The tale explains why the durian fruit is unique, with some enjoying its taste while others are repulsed.

Takeaways

• 🏡 The story is set in ancient times and revolves around an old woman named Duria who lives in a small house by the forest.
• 🗣️ Duria is depicted as the most malicious and stingy person, known for her anger and shouting at people who come near her fence.
• 👦 A young boy playing in the forest one day notices Duria's house and decides to rest by her fence, unaware of her reputation.
• 😡 Duria spots the boy from her window and immediately confronts him, yelling at him to leave and not interfere with her property.
• 😢 The frightened boy apologizes and runs away, but Duria, unsatisfied, chases and strikes him with her cane, demanding an apology.
• 🌳 In her anger, Duria throws her cane at the boy, but it hits a tree in the forest instead, causing her to lose her cane.
• 😱 Upon examining the tree, Duria is shocked to see it transform before her eyes, with its leaves turning sharp and its fruits growing large, heavy, and smelling strongly.
• 🌳 The tree's fruits are described as having a thorny exterior, similar to Duria's heart, a strong smell resembling her behavior, and a taste reflecting her life.
• 🔮 A voice from the tree identifies itself as a forest spirit, condemning Duria for her actions towards the boy and punishing her by making the tree a symbol of her wickedness.
• 🙏 Duria, terrified, begs for forgiveness, promising to change her ways and become kind and generous, but the spirit declares it's too late for redemption.
• 📚 The story concludes with the tree's fruit being named 'Durian' after Duria, symbolizing her legacy and the durian fruit's unique characteristics that elicit strong reactions.

Q & A

Who is the main character in the story?

The main character in the story is an old woman named Duria.

Where does Duria live?

Duria lives in a small house beside the forest.

Why is Duria known as 'Aling Halimaw'?

Duria is known as 'Aling Halimaw' because she is very grumpy and shouts at people who come near her fence.

What did the young boy do that angered Duria?

The young boy played in the forest and decided to rest near Duria's fence without knowing it was her property.

How does Duria react when she sees the boy near her fence?

Duria immediately comes out of her house and yells at the boy to leave, telling him he has no right to be there.

What happens when Duria chases the boy?

Duria chases the boy, hits him with her broom, and demands an apology.

What does the broom hit when Duria throws it at the boy?

The broom hits a tree in the forest.

What transformation occurs to the tree after being hit by the broom?

The tree changes its appearance, with the leaves becoming sharp and the fruits growing large, heavy, and having a thorny rind.

What does the spirit of the tree tell Duria?

The spirit of the tree tells Duria that she is a bad person with no compassion or love for others, and because of this, she is being punished. The tree will bear fruits that symbolize her wickedness.

What is the final punishment for Duria according to the spirit of the tree?

The final punishment is that the fruits of the tree will remain as a reminder of her wickedness, and when she dies, her soul will become part of the fruit.

Why is the fruit called 'Durian'?

The fruit is called 'Durian' because of its association with Duria, whose name it resembles and whose story is entwined with the origin of the fruit.

What is the moral of the story?

The moral of the story is that one's actions and character have consequences, and it is important to treat others with kindness and compassion.