It's my first time writing a fable!! >///< - mademoisellenoir
+++
Deep within the province of Mindanao lies a beautiful, lush green forest untouched by humankind. Many animals consider this place as their home and they have lived peacefully and happily, however, it doesn't mean that they are any safer from the dangers that lurk within the forest.
There was a certain part of the forest that light ever barely touched. The trees were bigger and their leaves were thicker so that only little sunlight could reach the forest floor. Its swamps were filled with vicious crocodiles. The trees and the undergrowth were filled with snakes, but only one was mostly feared by the others. The biggest, meanest, and most fearsome of them all, a python that goes by the name Kamandag.
Just beneath the dark forest floor lies an underground den that sheltered a family of mountain mice. Grandpa mouse was the oldest among them and, despite his age, was also the wisest. Mama and Papa Mouse were in charge of scavenging and gathering food on the surface for they know all the shortcuts and safest routes back home. The children, however, get to stay in the den with Grandpa Mouse where they would play or sometimes listen to one of Grandpa Mouse's stories when he was younger. Isa was the responsible eldest, Tino was the obedient second child, and little Pedro was the youngest and naughtiest among the three. For many years they've lived underground where the entire family was safe, and were never allowed to roam around freely above the forest floor.
One morning, while Mama and Papa Mouse were away, the little mice were playing catch using an empty peanut shell that served as a ball. Tino had thrown it too hard beyond Pedro's direction and Pedro, who was having too much fun, mindlessly chased it towards the den's opening. Pedro had bent to pick up the empty peanut shell but stopped midway as he saw dancing specks of sunlight that peeked through the thick canopy of leaves and onto their floor. He stood up, forgetting about the peanut shell, and poked his head out from the hole. The smell of loam left his tingling nose as he felt the cold, moist air of the upper ground upon his small face.
He heard the birds of the air sing their songs and the rustling of leaves as a soft breeze passed through them. Pedro did not feel contented to just stand there and watch, he wanted to experience what it was like to be out of the den. Just as he had lifted a paw out of the hole, he heard soft crunching of dead leaves and soil that seemed to get nearer and louder. Curiosity and excitement was soon replaced with fear. Instinctively, he looked to where the sound was presumably coming from.
"Pedro! What are you doing by the entrance?!"
It was Papa Mouse.
"Papa, we were just playing and the ball was thrown too far so I came to retrieve it." Pedro replied.
"Papa Mouse, Pedro, it is not safe to stay out here longer. Let's all discuss this inside." Mama Mouse said as she motioned Pedro and Papa Mouse to go inside.
Pedro could tell that he was in big trouble.
"Pedro, you know well that going out of the den means big trouble! What if Kamandag saw you?" Papa Mouse began as he put down the food he brought with him. "I can take you breaking things here and there but please! Never ever step foot outside this den." He added.
"I'm sorry, papa..." was all Pedro could say.
"I don't get it Grandpa. If they can do it; I can, too!"
Grandpa Mouse nodded knowingly as he listened to Pedro.
"Little Pedro, you are much too young. Know that your Mama and Papa are only doing this for your own good. If
Kamandag had found you then, we wouldn't be able to see you again." Grandpa Mouse said with gentleness in his voice, "However, your sister Isa has come of age so your mama and papa are taking her with them tomorrow."
Pedro was angered by what he heard. "If they are taking Isa, why not take me, too?!" he said. His lips quivered but he fought the tears that were about to fall from his eyes. He was hurt, and it was unfair. Pedro did not understand why he had to wait. He did not understand why Kamandag was such a threat. What if the snakes were no more? What if the other animals had found a way to banish them from the forest? They will never know, because they were holed up inside the den all the days of their life.
The next day, Pedro saw his parents leave with Isa. He waited a while to make sure they were already out of the site their den was in. He stood from where he was playing and slowly crept towards the den's only entrance and exit. He poked his head out and took a deep breath. He then placed both his paws on the upper ground and used his strength to lift the rest of his body up. He felt ground beneath him with his tiny paws. It was very different inside the den. Outside was cooler and ad more color. The sunlight peeked through the leaves giving just the right amount of light for Pedro to see the entire surroundings. He smiled to himself and began to explore.
Pedro was having so much fun trying new things he has never done before, eating fresh berries from bushes and slipping into small crevices of rotting wood or rock, that he forgot about what Grandpa Mouse and Papa Mouse had told him.
It was getting dark and Pedro knew he had to be home. As he was retracing his steps back home, it seemed as though someone was watching him… Or worse… Following him. He felt cold, but his palms were sweating. His breath became hitched as he paced faster. He feared that it was Kamandag. He feared that he will never be able to see his family again. He should have listened to Grandpa and Papa Mouse. He prayed that it was Papa or Mama Mouse coming to get him but…
Hissssssss…
It wasn’t them.
Pedro turned his head slowly behind him and lo! And behold! A snake ten times larger than the small mouse stood, its fangs glimmering like a scythe about to strike in the dark just as the sun had completely set. Only a moment before the snake had snapped its mouth to catch him, Pedro ran as fast as he could. He knew calling for help was useless since other snakes might be around and could hear him, so he tried to find a place to hide. His eyes scanned the area which seemed awfully familiar. He looked over to a huge rock and found the small crevice he played in not too long ago. It could fit him, but could not fit a snake. Pedro switched his direction, snake still in pursuit, and ran towards the rock. Pedro had climbed inside the crevice, his heart loudly banging on his chest from running, but the snake was persistent and would not leave. It tried to bang and fit its head inside the small opening but was unsuccessful in doing so. Pedro cried and silently pleaded for it to go away.
As if the snake had heard his pleading, it lifted its head up in alarm and slid away and into the night. Pedro crawled out from the opening cautiously and sighed in relief. He was safe for now.
“Hello, little one.”
The voice was calm, soothing. Pedro lifted his head up and saw a much bigger snake than the last one.
“H-Hello…” Pedro replied reluctantly. The snake hissed and laughed, “It’s okay, child, it’s safe now... What’s your name?”
“Pedro…”
“Well, Pedro, I saw the whole thing so I came as fast as I could to scare the other snake away.”
“Why? Aren’t you a snake, too?”
“Little Pedro, I’m one of the good snakes. I help smaller animals, such as you, pass these woods safely.”
“Then can you help me safely get home?”
“Why of course, my dear.”
“I’ve told you my name, what’s yours?”
“Agunua.”
Agunua escorted Pedro through the forest and back home. Pedro thanked the kind snake and slipped into their little den where Mama and Papa Mouse had been worriedly waiting for his return.
“Pedro! Where have you been?!” Mama mouse said and hugged him tightly.
“I’ve been outside the den, Mama!” Pedro exclaimed happily. He was ready to tell them what happened but the smile on his face disappeared when he saw the expression on Papa Mouse’s face. It was not a good one.
“Pedro, you disobeyed our orders once more. I’m putting Tino in charge of you and I will not let you out of your brother’s sight do you understand?”
“Papa, you don’t understand! There are also good snakes out there!” Pedro tried to explain.
“I don’t want to hear anymore!” Papa Mouse said angrily.
Pedro shook his little head as he quietly walked towards his room.
Soon, they will know.
The next day, Tino did as Papa Mouse had instructed him. He never let Pedro out of sight. Pedro, however, was annoyed at the fact that he could not get out of the den and play outside again.
“Brother Tino, you don’t understand! I have a friend outside that can watch over me and keep me from danger.”
“You heard it from Papa, Pedro… You can’t go outside.”
Pedro frowned, but then he suddenly had an idea.
By noon, Grandpa Mouse and Tino had eaten their share of food. Tino’s eyes became heavier as minutes passed. He saw Pedro snoring away in the corner, so he decided to get some shut-eye too. Pedro is not going anywhere after all, he thought. As soon as Tino started snoring, Pedro lifted his lids and scanned his surroundings. Safe.
He crept towards the den opening and ran to play more. While playing, he heard a familiar voice calling.
“It’s nice to see you here again, but you should really be careful around these parts.” It was Agunua the snake.
“I’m not afraid since you’re here Agunua.” Pedro hummed as he continued exploring the forests. Agunua smiled, “You want to see something amazing?”
Pedro nodded.
Agunua beckoned him to hop on his back, which he gladly did, and they slowly slithered up a tall tree. Once they reached the top, Pedro climbed down from Agunua’s back. Up above was breath taking. He could almost see the entire forest. He could see where all the other snakes are and where other animals were. He heard the wings of a sparrow flap right above them, singing a happy little tune. He turned his head heavenwards, eyes wide open, spell-bound by the sapphire blue sky. He felt all of his dreams come true.
“Thank you, Agunua!” Pedro exclaimed happily.
“You’re welcome, Pedro… You’re the first one to trust someone like me.” Agunua said bashfully.
“I could just hug you right now!”
“A hug… would be nice.”
Agunua grinned, fangs showing.
Agunua emerged from the trees and the other snakes fled in fear.
All whispering to each other
Kamandag is here.
That same night, Pedro did not return home.
+++
Forcefully overcoming my writer's block >:-)
This was made for a project we had for literature and I asked permission from my teacher if I could publish it online and there it goes!!
