Caleb's Myth-Folklore Assignments

( Cuttlefish ) I don't actually know why this story stood out to me, but it did. I liken it to some kindergartners being put in a very severe timeout.  Story Bathala (supreme Tagalog being) created all the fish in the sea. He declared that the fish should have a meeting to designate officer roles. Every fish showed up on time except for the cuttlefish and the squid. They wait a bit but they don't show up. Bathala designates stingray as sergeant at arms, crocodile, cadaver carrier, and crab, soldier. Then, the missing two show up and interrupt Bathala. Bathala scolds them and they run off. They decide to collect mud to throw at the officers. When they return, they ask for a job. Bathala only scolds them. They throw their mud. Bathala is furious and curses them to carry pouches of mud forever. This is why they are slow and have ink today. Bathala also cursed squids to never grow because he found the squid most annoying.  Bibliography. Cuttlefish and Squids  from Filipino Po...

      Black Opal (photo by James St. John on Flickr ) The story that stood out to me was the tale of the Three Brothers of Fortune. I think it stood out because it reminded me so much of the deathly hallows tale from Harry Potter. Perhaps Rowling took inspiration from this story. Plot     A wealthy man sends his three sons off to school. They party and don't learn anything while there. The three sons are ashamed of this and refuse to go home. Instead, they wander through towns seeking their fortune. They come upon an old lady who offers them a magic resurrection book for purchase. The first brother purchases it. They next come upon an old lady offering up a magic mat that can transport you wherever. The second brother purchases it. They come upon a set of magic stones that can be used to reassemble things. The third brother takes this. Happy with each of their magic charms, they continue wandering. They happen upon a crowd grieving over a dead body. Th...