The Myth about Water in Coconuts
Health buffs say among the purest water source today is the water inside a coconut. Through Science we know that plants produce fruits and juices though the action of sunlight and carbon dioxide in a process called photosynthesis. But people long ago had another version of why coconuts produced sweet pure water inside its shell. We find this in one of the popular folk myths on how water is “trapped” inside a coconut shell.
Although the Philippines is an archipelago surrounded by bodies of water there is scarcity of water in some parts of it. The same was said to be true hundreds of years ago. Especially when the dry spell is over the land during summer some parts ran out of water source. In one such season Noog, a slim native boy from southern Luzon, was said to have scoured the place for precious clean water. The popular folk myth said he went to a high place in search of it.
Then he chanced upon an underground water source, or “bukal” in the vernacular, from among the deep caves found on the top of a mountain. He went down the descending cavern and found a cool clean underground spring. He drank some and kept some in a container made of bamboo. According to the popular folk myth, he left the place and vowed to keep the place a secret so he and his family alone could benefit from it. He descended the mountain in high hopes but then was blocked by several folks from town. They demanded water.
Noog refused to give them any and determined to withhold the information on the underground water source. The folks were enraged by Noog’s obstinate stand and they decided to kill and bury him on a remote place on the plain. As a last resort to save his life, Noog offered to tell them where the “bukal” was found, to no avail. Then, the popular folk myth says, the folks saw a strange tree growing on the plains one day. It grew to be a tall and slender tree with large nuts the size of a human head.
People then started to call the tree and its nuts Noog’s water from the “bukal” and as time went it shortened to simply Noog or “bukal.” Much later on, the popular folk myth referred to them as “Niyog” or “Buko,” as coconut is called today. The lesson in this popular folk myth is that we should always willingly share our blessings.
Related topics:
The Myth about the Cashew Nut
Each part of creation was specifically designed for a purpose. Defying that purpose would only result to further harm. A Philippine myth on cashew nuts confirms this idea and tells about creatures that wished something contrary to their nature. Unfortunately,...
The Myth about the Lanzones Fruit
A lot of people are afraid of new and untried things. They would rather not have anything to do with them. But there are people who are lured by strange things, but often end up harmed. A few learn the...
A Myth on the Coconut Tree
Love is a potent force that can turn the course of life around. A myth on coconuts shows that, used positively, it can re-create life to fulfill an eternal vow of affection, used negatively, the myth shows that it can...
The Myth of the Guava Fruit
A Philippine myth on the guava fruit talks about a typical rustic boy who pitied the needy. The myth reminds us that kindness can melt even the most bitter things, and that courage to face danger to help people is...
The Myth on the Camachile Tree
Nature is generous with its benefits to mankind, but abuse of it also incurred an undesirable result. A myth on the camachile tree tells us how the beauty of nature can also be abused unknowingly by its admirers, to the...
The Myth on Why Fireflies Have Lights
Be careful what we love looking at or we might be entranced to wish to be like it in some way. A myth on how fireflies came to have lights in them says that too much fascination with a star...
The Philippine Myth about the Sun
What would Earth be without the sun, and how would people react to such a predicament? A Philippine myth says people are likely to fail, despite efforts to make up for the sun’s absence. And the myth avers that people...
The Philippine Myth on Maria and the Crab
A mother’s undying and boundless love for her child---this is a favorite theme of countless Filipino stories and TV soap operas. Filipino families being closely-knitted together, a Philippine myth on Maria and the Crab would be a best selling hit....
The Amazing Myth on Lam-ang
Lam-ang was a mythical epic hero from the Northern Luzon who allegedly possessed extraordinary strength and wisdom. Lam-ang’s myth is typical of the Northern people’s propensity to take on challenges to the end. Lam-ang’s myth reflects the courage and undying...
Myth Quester: Enjoying Philippine Tales More
Hands-on study of a Philippine tale or myth is the best alternative to thoroughly researching and enjoying it. Instead of relying on textbook information, why not go to where it all happened and find out for oneself all about a...
Leave a Reply
