Legenda Monyet Pertama

The first monkey story
(Favourite story from Philippines)

Legenda Monyet Pertama

Legenda Monyet Pertama

Many years ago, there was a king and queen who lived in Mindanao. They were not liked by their people. The king was cruel and the queen was greedy.
Legenda Monyet Pertama

The king collected a lot of money from his people and gave it to the queen. The queen bought expensive food, wine and clothes from all over the world and kept them in the palace.
Legenda Monyet Pertama

One day, the king gave a party in the palace garden. There were six tables placed in the shade of some tall trees. Next to the trees, there was a large pond with goldfish in it.
Legenda Monyet Pertama

Soon the guests arrived and everybody started eating and enjoying themselves. Suddenly, an old woman entered the garden. No one knew where she came from. She approached each table and begged for food. No one gave her any and the king told his guest to chase her away.
Legenda Monyet Pertama

“Your Majesty, please have pity on me! I am an old man. I haven’t eaten any food for several days.”

The queen, who was sitting next to the king became angry. “Go away, old woman!” she shouted. “Who asked you to come here? This party is for rich and important people.”
Legenda Monyet Pertama

The king roared with laughter. He banged the table with spoon.

“Chase her away!” he cried. Everyone started beating her with their spoon. They chased the poor old woman all over the palace garden, suddenly, there was a great crash of thunder and a bright flash lightning. The old woman changed into a beautiful girl.
Legenda Monyet Pertama

“You are not human beings,” she said “You are all so cruel. None of you wanted to help me. Because of this, I shall changed you into monkeys.”
Legenda Monyet Pertama

She clapped her hands. Immediately, the spoon turned into tails and fixed themselves on the backs of the king, queen and their guests. The beautiful clothes which they were wearing turned into long hair. Their fingers and toes grew longer. When they tried to speak, they could chatter only like monkeys.
Legenda Monyet Pertama

They ran back to the palace but the king’s guards chased them away, and threw stones at them. “Go away, you dirty little things!” the guards shouted. “This is the king’ palace.
Legenda Monyet Pertama

As they had nowhere to go. They hid in the forest and hills where they have ever since.