The Forgiving Crocodile
by: Deshery Gabatino
Long time ago, near the seashore of Sitio Bongsanglay, Royroy, Batuan, Masbate, there lived a
crocodile family, Buwahaya, the mother and her two little babies.
Buwahaya, the mother, was always busy hunting food for her family.
Whenever she was out of their home, she was always worried about her two little babies because
nobody was taking care of them.
One day, while she was at the mangrove forest near the seashore hunting for food, she found an
old lady who was pale and sickly picking up fruits to eat. She was about to swallow her but the old lady
asked pitifully from Buwahaya and promised to do anything for Buwahaya in return.
Buwahaya felt pity for her. Then, she remembered her two little babies who needed somebody to
take care of them when she’s out. So, Buwahaya brought with her Tiya Sita, the old lady.
The crocodile asked Tiya Sita, to take care of her two little babies and in return, she will take care of
her and bring her delicious food to eat.
Everyday, Tiya Sita sings a song to the two little baby crocodiles, and hit them when they won’t
sleep.
When mother crocodile comes home, she always brings delicious and nutritious food for Tiya Sita.
The old lady was so happy and promised to keep an eye on her baby crocodiles, and never mistreat the
two.
But in contrast, as soon as Buwahaya leaves their home, the old lady sits all day without looking
after the two baby crocodiles.
When it’s about time for Buwahaya to arrive, Aling Sita gets up. She hurriedly feeds and bathes
them, and cleanse up the mess.
As soon as mother crocodile arrives, she checks her children if they are clean, well-fed and have
had enough sleep.
Tiya Sita always says, “Well, your children are well taken good care. I worked all day to feed them,
clean them up, and let them sleep.”
Buwahaya was very grateful to Tiya Sita with the good deeds she’s showing to her children.
As a sign of gratitude, mother crocodile daily brings her delicious food to eat.
One day, Buwahaya was so curious on how the old lady takes good care of her two little babies. She
secretly hid behind, and observed what the old lady does when she was out.
As usual, Tiya Sita sits all day and beats the babies when they won’t sleep.
When the babies were about to sleep, she sang them a lullaby.
“La, la, la, sleep now ugly baby crocodiles. You are both awful. Your smell is so unpleasant. I hate
crocodiles like you. La, la, la…”
Upon hearing Tiya Sita’s song, Buwahaya grew in anger. She went away and found food for her
babies. She also gathered food for Tiya Sita.
But instead of delicious food, Buwahaya collected all the snakes near the shore and placed them in
the basket for Tiya Sita.
As soon as Buwahaya arrived home, she handed the basket to Tiya Sita.
“Tiya Sita, this is for you. I gathered the best food for you today because of the good deeds you’ve
been always doing for my little babies.”
“Thank you so much Buwahaya,” Tiya Sita answered happily.
Tiya Sita opened the basket eagerly. Upon opening impatiently, she was shocked. Snakes were
coming out from the basket.
“That’s your prize for being rude to my babies. I was so kind to you but you treated my babies
foolishly!”, said Buwahaya, angrily.
“Please forgive me Buwahaya. I had been fool for the past days. Forgive me for my foolishness,”
pleaded Tiya Sita.
“I promise that I will never do the same again,” added the frightened old lady. Though seemed
unexpected, Buwahaya had forgiven Tiya Sita.
From then on, Tiya Sita changed her ways and took good care of the babies of Buwahaya.
