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What is a LEGEND?
LEGENDS - are great stories which believe to be the beginning of a certain place, animals, plants or flower... it is handed down from our ancestors, on to the next generations.
LIST OF FABLES
The Legend of Duryan
The Legend of Tiwi Spring
The Beginning of Japan
The Legend of the Water Lady
How Did The Islands of the Philippines Came To Be
The Legends of the Gold Mine in Benguet
Why The Seed of Watermelon Black
The Legend of the First Monkey
LEGENDS from the PHILIPPINES
Legend of Duryan
Duryan is a fruit similar to jack fruit but it has unpleasant smell and ugly appearance.
A long time ago, there was a Sultan in Maranaw, Philippines named Makan-ali who fall in love to a poor but beautiful servant. They had a child named Duri; unfortunately, she didn't inherited the beauty of her mother. When she became a young lady nobody likes her because she has an ugly face. Sultan loves Duri very much and very proud of her even she is ugly and her mother was only a servant. Although she was a daughter of Sultan, nobody tried to court her even the slaves never tempted to woo her.
After many years passed by she felt depressed and hopeless because nobody asked to marry her. Not so long she got sick. Makan-ali called all the adept doctors, but they said " Even we have a magical power we can't cure her sickness". One night, she can't sleep for she heard a lullaby song. Miraculously, she was able to stand up and went outside to find the person singing. She ran and walked through the farm, hill until she reached the forest in searching where the sound coming from. The following day, Duri's father found her dead near the seashore of Agusan. They buried her beside of the hill.
As many days passed by, the people in Maranaw forgot her already. Near the hill beside the tomb of Duri there was a large tree grew bearing abundance of fruit. The fruit, similar to the jack fruit doesn't like to eat by the people for it has a very unpleasant odor and ugly appearance.
In the town of Duri, a famine occurred. There were no plants in the farm, no fish in the river and the sea and also no animals in the forest. There were many died because of starving. The only food they have found was the fruit tree beside of Duri's tomb. Even though the people were ravenous they don't like to eat for it has a rough and spine skin and offensive smell. One day a Sultan from other place came, he took one fruit, peel off the skin and ate it. The people were motivated to eat when they saw that nothing happened to him.They began picking up some of the fruit and eat it. They realized that it was taste good. After the famine period ended, people went back to their home and planted some seed of the fruit tree in the back yard.
So many years passed by, the hill and the forest was covered with fruit trees. In order that they won't forget Duri, the people gave a name to the tree followed by her name. They called it "Duryan"-an ugly fruit tree like Duri but the true beauty is inside the heart.
LEGEND from the PHILIPPINES
Legend of the Tiwi Spring
Natives of Albay never tire relating a legend which tells how Tiwi Springs came to exist. They say that the place where the springs are now located used to be a quiet, prosperous village. In this village there lived a maiden who was lovely beyond compare. Suitors came from all places to woo this maiden, because she was industrious, kind and true besides being very lovely.
One day, as the sun god was riding on his fiery chariot, he caught sight of the beautiful maiden. Like a mortal, the sun god had an eye for beauty. Upon seeing the maiden, his heart gave a leap, and then and there, he decided to end his search for the girl he would marry.
Upon returning to the heavens that day, the sun god lost no time telling his father about his discovery.
“I’ve not seen a creature as lovely even in our kingdom,” the sun god told his father.
“She may be lovely but she’s only a mortal,” the god of god’s told his son.
“But I’ve decided to win and marry her,” the sun god insisted.
“That will never do! Gods never marry mortals,” said the god of gods firmly.
The sun god said no more, for his father had already made his decision. But the following morning, he refused to go about his usual chore of bringing light to the earth. He sulked for days on end after that, and refused to ride on his fiery chariot again. So the earth was filled with darkness, and the people thought that the world had come to an end. The god of gods, seeing the darkness and gloom that ruled the earth, took pity on mankind. So he allowed his son to go down to earth to ask for the lovely maiden’s hand in marriage.
But alas! In his great joy and haste, the sun god forgot to remove his fiery clothes. He also forgot that his chariot was so fiery that it could set aflame anything near it. He forgot too, that his eyes were two balls of fire that could set aflame of lightning, he rode on his chariot and sped down to the earth. The sun god never landed on the earth, forever as he approached the village where the maiden lived houses, trees and everything else had caught fire. The people of the village, including the maiden, lost their lives in fire.
When the fire died down, nothing was left. But right in the place where the village stood, hot springs bubbled forth from the scorched earth. Thus, did the hot springs of Tiwi come to exist. People from all places now come to bathe in Tiwi Springs. They claim that the hot water of the springs is a good cure for many diseases.
Legends from Japan
The Beginning of Japan
This is a story about the beginning of Japan long time ago, there were many Gods living in the sky. When they looked down at the earth from their place, there was nothing. The earth was covered by sea.
One day the Gods decided to make a country on the earth. They sent two Gods named Izanaki and Izanami to do the job. All Gods gave a holy halberd to help the two Gods work.
God Izamaki and Goddess Izanami stood on a bridge between the sky and the earth, and they put the halberd into the sea and stirred it well. When they picked it up, sea water dripped down from the edge of the halberd. The drops got into the sea, and they became Onogoro Island. Izanaki and Izanami went down to the island. Then they built a holy pole and a large palace. They wanted to have more islands, so they decided to get married, because their babies could be anything.
The marriage ceremony was simple, Izanaki walked around a holy pole, and Izanami walked from the other way. When they met, first she said that what a great man to Izanaki. Next he said what a pretty women to Izanami. After they finished the ceremony, they had two babies, although both babies didn't have the right shape.
The two Gods rafted their babies down to the sea, they were worry about it very much; therefore, they went to the sky to ask for advices of many Gods. One God said that the marriage ceremony was wrong. Goddess Izanami shouldn't have spoken first. The two Gods went down to their palace and they acted on the advice, so they may have good babies. This time their babies became islands.
When they finished to make islands, they tried to make many Gods such as God of wind, God of wood, God of sea and more. Goddess Izanami died from getting burned when she delivered God of fire. Before she died, she had made fourteen islands and thirty five Gods. This is was the beginning of Japan. That's why Japan consists of many small island.
Legend of the Water Lady
Chinese Legend
Long,long ago under the large spring, there use to have a little village where lived a poor woman. Many people have forgotten her name. She lived with her old mother-in-law. Because the woman was dutiful, she was always treated unfairly by her mother-in-law. The old woman hated her, and said she was lazy. She maked her do all the house works or she won't have anything to eat. The poor woman had to do as she was told. As soon as the sky is light, she went to fetch water from the distant well. Everyday, she had to do this hard work, as well as cooking the food and mending the clothes.
One day she no longer wanted to be a slaver. She said " Death would be better than such a life. " As she thought about she unhappy marriage, she got up to throw herself into the river. Suddenly, an old woman appeared, and said " Why do you want to die? " When the poor woman saw the kind expression on her face, she lost her fear and told her all her troubles. After listening to her store, the old woman given her a magic rod and told her to strike the pail with this rod and it will be filled with water.
However, the old woman told her beware of shriking it twice. So the poor woman thanking her kindly, than she returned home. When she secretly strike the pail, it filled with water in a sudden. Now she was very happy, because she no longer had to fetch water. But one day her mother-in-law accidently saw her using the magic rod and stole her magic rod while she wasn't watching. She striked it once, twice, and more in a flash the water poured out of the pail and covered the house and all the other houses in the whole village. Then, All the rich fields became one big lake.
When the poor woman saw what had happened, she could do nothing, since the old woman at the well had not told her how to make the water stop, so she was drowned in the flood. The water is still flowing out the pail which became a large spring.
Later the people in the village built a temple in honor of the poor woman, and called her the " Water Lady ". The End...
LEGENDS from the PHILIPPINES
HOW THE DID THE ISLANDS IN THE PHILIPPINES CAME TO BE
The Philippines used to be only one great, big mass of land. That was thousand of years ago when the only inhabitants of this land were to great, big giants. One giants lived on the northern end of the island, the other, on the southern end.
The two giants were far from being good friends. Many times they quarreled, and when they did, the earth shook with such great force that mountains crumbled and turned into dust.
One day something happened which cause a terrible fight between the two giants. One giant, after eating the meat and drinking the water of a coconut, threw the empty fruit away. The coconut was hurled with such great force that it reached the other end of the island and hit the head of the second giant who was then taking a nap. Awakened roughly from his sleep, the second giant was in a bad mood. He jumped up to his feet, beat his hairy chest with his fists, and challenged the first giant to a fight. Hardly had he made the challenge when the first giant came upon him with terrible blows.
The battle to two giants shook the earth so much that its surface crackled and opened up in many places. Mountains crumbled into dust, and soon the sea came in and covered parts of what used to be one big landmass. The land was thus divided into many islands, seven thousand or so of them, three of them large, and the rest, small.
But the battle of the two giants was far from over. The giant who was stranded on a southern island picked up a large lump of earth and threw it with all his might at the other giant. But he was a poor marksman indeed, for the lump of the earth only fell in the middle of a big island in the north.
Mount Arayat in Pampanga today is said to be the lump of earth Wanting to prove that he was better marksman, the giant stranded on the northern island picked up a bigger lump of earth, and threw it with terrible force at the other giant. But like the first giant, he proved to be a poor marksman. The lump of earth only fell somewhere on a big island in the south and formed a tall mountain, Mount Apo. What happened to the giants? Legend say that the earth was so shaken up during their terrible battle, that waves as big as mountains rose and washed them away into the sea.
Legend from the Philippines
THE ORIGIN OF THE GOLD MINES OF BENGUET
People who have visited Benguet up in the north remember the place for its mountain scenery, for its beautiful lilies, and its friendly, industrious natives. They also remember, if they have heard it, the story of its gold mines.
A long time ago the gold mines of Benguet did not exist. The natives of the place, even then were industrious and hardworking. They raised rice, vegetables, pigs and chickens on their clearings. A happy people, they celebrated many events with canao. The canao or feast lasted for several days. During the celebration, tapoy or rice wine flowed as young and old danced and sang, or helped themselves with the fare of chicken and pig meat.
One day while the natives were holding a canao, an old man suddenly appeared from nowhere and made his way among the guest. Drunk with tapoy, the natives paid no attention to the old man. Just then a guest who had had too much of the heady wine suddenly bumped into him, throwing him on the ground. Upon seeing his pitiful condition the natives ran to help him get up on his feet. But the old man refused to get up on his feet saying;
“Get a big kettle, please, and place me inside it. They lay the kettle aside and keep it covered until the third day of your canao. On that day open the kettle and you will find a tree. The tree is all yours. Its fruit will keep you from hunger all your lives.
The natives did as the stranger old man had told them. When the third day came, they uncovered the kettle. To their great surprise they saw all a small tree. It was not just a tree but one of pure gold. Hardly had they uncovered the kettle when the tree started growing. When it reached its full height, it suddenly bore fruits of the purest gold.
The natives and their gusts lost no time picking the gold fruits, placing their precious harvest in a basket, bags, and sheet of all sizes and shapes. Soon there were no more fruits, so they picked the leaves, too. And before they knew it, they were fighting among themselves. Suddenly the old man appeared before themselves.
“I have seen how greedy and selfish you all are. From now on, you will have to dig for gold whenever you want it.” Gold mining, from that time on, has been one of the main occupations of the natives of Benguet.
WHY THE SEED OF WATERMELON BLACK
Philippine Legend
One of the most delicious fruits to eat in summer is the watermelon. Its sweet juices slakes your thirst and makes you feel cool. Watermelons come in different shapes and sizes. Some are round as balls; others, oblong. There are watermelons bigger than basketballs. There are small ones, too, only a little larger than a pomelo. Some watermelons have red pulp; others yellow. But all watermelons have black seeds.
There once a poor widow who lived all alone by a river. She did not have any children. Neighbors also suspected that she had no relatives, for no one came to visit her. the poor widow laundered clothes for a living, and her neighbors were her regular customers. One day as she was washing clothes by the river a little bird fell beside her pan.
Taking pity on the poor little creature, she picked it up to see what the matter was and found that it was wounded. The old woman took the little bird home, gave it food and water, and nursed its wound. Soon the little bird could fly again. So the old woman took the bird to the woods one day to set it free. To her great surprise, the little bird spoke up.
“You’ve been very kind to me,” the little creature said. “So I’am going to reward you for your kindness. Here, take this little seed, and plant it as soon as you get home. When the plant bears fruit, you shall not want anymore. But be sure to pick only one fruit at a time.”
The old woman could only murmur her thanks to the little bird, for it had already taken wing and flown away. She then went home and planted the seed which it had given her. In time a plant grew from the seed. The plant crawled on the ground and was soon bearing large, round fruits. When the fruits were already ripe, the old woman picked one and opened it up with a knife. To her amazement she found that the fruits had many little seeds, and the seeds were of pure gold.
Since then the old woman lived comfortably well. The fruits of the strange plant had indeed saved her Her neighbors, however, seeing that she no longer took in any washing, began to suspect that she had become rich. How, they did not know. So they decided to spy on her. One night they hid themselves in a place where they could watch her without being seen. They discovered all about the plant and its fruits with gold seeds.
“Let’s steal all the fruits,” one neighbor suggested.
“If we do that, we’ll leave the plant behind,” said another. “Let’s uproot it and plant it somewhere else.”
“But the plant will die,” a third put in. “I have a better idea. why don’t we kill the old woman? Then we’ll have the plant and its fruit all for ourselves.”
The rest of the neighbors agreed to kill the old woman. So the following night they all stole into her house and slew her. Having done their evil deed, they then lost no time picking the fruits of the strange plant. To their surprise, however, not one of the fruits they picked contained gold seeds. The found, instead black seeds.
Today the strange plant is no longer strange, it grows in many places in our country.
Central Luzon, for example, is noted for this fruit, which we now call watermelon, because of its juicy pulp. But if you cut open any watermelon, you will invariably find black seeds.
THE LEGEND OF THE MANGO
Philippine Legend
In a village in Kalibu there once lived a man who had a violent temper. he was known as Daeogdog, which means thunder. His wife, on the other hand, was kind and gentle. They had a daughter, Aganhon. She was as lovely as the dawn.
Years passed by and Aganhon grew lovelier. Suitors from far and near came to ask for her love. Among them was Maeopig, who had an uncontrollable temper, but he was the choice of Daeogdog.
“Don’t make me marry that man,” pleaded Aganhon. Even her mother, Mabuot, shed tears to soften her husband’s heart.
“Yes.” her father said. “You must marry the man I have chosen for you.”
Maoepig, the bridegroom-to-be was wild with joy. Preparation for the wedding began. But the girl locked herself inside her room.
A big crowd attended the wedding feast and there was much merriment. But the bride was nowhere to be seen. She was not in the house. They scoured the village for her in vain. Later her lifeless body was found near a spring, a dagger thrust into her heart.
Daeogdog tore his hair in despair.
The next night Aganhon appeared to her father in a dream.
“I’m the spirit of your daughter,” said the voice as sweet as the waters of a clear spring. “I have come to give you a remembrance. Go down to the bank of the spring. There you will find a tree growing on the spot where you buried me.” Then she disappeared.
The next morning the sad parents visited their daughter’s grave. They found a huge tree laden with heart-shaped fruit. The fruit were sweet and fragrant like Aganhon, the hapless maiden. Since then the fruit has been known as the mango.
THE LEGEND OF THE FIRST MONKEY
Long ago in a thick forest, a young girl lived under the care of the goddess of weaving. Here she lived happily and without care, for everything that she wanted to eat was provided for her by her patroness.
One day the goddess said to the girl, "Take this cotton, clean it, and make out a dress for yourself out of it." Now, the girl knew nothing about making cloth and weaving it, so she said to the goddess, "When the cotton is cleaned, is it ready for use?"
"No," answered the guardian, "after it is cleaned, it must be beaten."
"Well, after it is beaten, is it ready for use?" said the lazy girl. The goddess said that before it could be used, it w |
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Why the Sun Shines More Brightly Than the Moon - Philippine Legend
The Legs of the Kangaroo- an Australian Aboriginal Legend
Why The Crocodile Has Rough Skin - Legend from Ghana
The Origin of Evergreen Trees -Legend from Malaysia
The Origin of the Stars - Philippine Legend
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Why the Sun Shines More Brightly Than the Moon
Philippine Legend
Long, long ago there lived a fairy with two very beautiful daughters. Araw, the older daughter, was very amiable and had a kind disposition; Buwan, unlike her sister, was dishonest, cruel, and harsh. She was always finding fault with Araw. One night, when the fairy came home from her nocturnal rambles and saw Buwan badly maltreating her elder sister, she asked God for help against her unruly daughter.
Before this time, God had prepared very valuable gifts for the two sisters. These gifts were two enormous diamonds that could light the whole universe. When God heard the prayer of the fairy, he descended to Earth disguised as a beggar. Upon learning for himself how bad-tempered Buwan was and how sweet and kind-hearted Araw was, God gave the older sister her diamond as a reward. Buwan was greatly angered by this favoritism on the part of the Almighty, so she went to the heavenly kingdom and stole one of God's diamonds. Then she returned to earth with the precious stone, but there she found that were jewel was not as brilliant as Araw's.
When God went back to heaven and learned what Buwan had done, he sent two angels to punish her. But the angels abused their commission; they seized both sisters and hurled them into the sea. They they threw the two stones upward into the sky and there they stuck. But Araw's diamond was bigger and brighter than the one Buwan stole. Thereafter, the bigger jewel was called Araw ("day" or "sun") and the smaller one, Buwan ("moon").
The Legs of the Kangaroo
an Australian Aboriginal Legend
Many are the legends connected with this unique animal. When it arrived in Australia with its companions on the canoe of the Whale its legs were uniform in length. It walked on all four legs, as a dingo walks. One generation succeeded by another and still the Kangaroo browsed on the plains, using his legs in the normal manner.
Then came Man the hunter, eager for meat, with threatening spear-thrower and spear that could travel faster than any four-legged animal.
Kangaroo was resting in the shade of a tree when his sensitive ears picked up the sound of something approaching stealthily. He bounded to his feet and saw it was a Man--and that Man had a weapon against which he was defenseless. The only thing to do was to take refuge in flight. Kangaroo had seen that the strange creature threatening him with a throwing implement had only two legs. He felt confident that his four legs would carry him out of danger without difficulty.
He had underestimated his enemy. Man proved swift and strong. His two legs were longer than Kangaroo's four legs, and more strongly muscled. They carried Man tirelessly for hour after hour. No matter how he extended himself, Kangaroo was unable to increase his lead. He was saved only by the setting sun and the darkness that fell on the earth.
Exhausted by his exertions, Kangaroo fell wearily to the ground. Presently he lifted his head. A bright light had appeared in the darkness. Man had kindled a fire to warm himself in the cold night air. Cautiously Kangaroo edged back, rose to his feet, and tiptoed away from the revealing light of the camp fire. In order to make no sound, he rose on his hind legs and in this manner managed to escape.
Presently he realized that he was using only two legs instead of four, just as Man had done during the long pursuit. It was an unusual sensation. He experimented further, and found he could cover the ground more quickly by hopping instead of walking or running. Using his tail to balance himself, he was able to leap further, much further than a Man could stride. It was such an exhilarating experience that he has kept on doing it ever since.
His forelegs and paws were of little use. They grew smaller, while his hind legs grew longer and stronger, and they have remained like that to this very day.
Why The Crocodile Has Rough Skin
LEGEND from GHANA
A long, long time ago, long before you and I were born, Crocodile had a back as smooth and flat as Python. One day he was sitting in the hot midday sun by the riverbank, enjoying a sleepy afternoon snooze. Suddenly Rabbit came crashing through the grass and smacked right into Crocodile's side. He sat down and panted and panted.
Crocodile slowly swung his huge head around and sleepily blinked at his unexpected visitor.
"Rabbit, why did you wake me, and why are you puffing and blowing so hard?"
"My apologies, Crocodile, but Man sent Brother Dog to chase me down. I've been running all morning. I think Brother Man intends to eat me."
Rabbit thought for a moment and asked nervously, "You're not hungry, are you?"
Crocodile smiled a toothy grin and said, "No, I've eaten today."
Rabbit relaxed. "Thank goodness, I've had enough trouble today."
Crocodile smiled an even toothier grin. "Nothing ever troubles me," he boasted.
Rabbit eyed him and asked, "Nothing?"
"No, nothing. In fact," he said, his tail swishing behind him, "I'd like to see Trouble try to bother me."
"Oh, Crocodile, you should be careful what you say. Trouble doesn't like to be talked to like that."
Crocodile laughed a toothy laugh and went back to his nap. Rabbit just shook his head and hopped on his way.After a few hours, Crocodile began to think about what Rabbit had said and started to get angry. "What does Trouble care what I say? Who does he think he is?"
He got angrier and angrier until he decided to go find Trouble and give him a piece of his mind.
He crashed through the tall, dry grass, looking about. "Trouble, where are you? Come out and show yourself!"
He was yelling so loudly with his big, toothy mouth that he startled Flamingo who was resting nearby.
Flamingo flew up into the air and in turn startled Monkey, who was enjoying his afternoon pipe high in a tree. Monkey was always easily frightened and jumped away to hide. The pipe, which he had accidentally dropped, fell down through the branches and landed right in the middle of the grass.
Crocodile was so busy thrashing about that he didn't even notice that Monkey's pipe had set the tall, dry grass ablaze.
By the time he smelled the smoke, he was completely surrounded by the hungry flames closing in faster and faster.
Crocodile panicked and plowed through the burning field, rushing for the safety of the river.
By the time he splashed into the cool, soothing waters the entire field was smoldering. Crocodile's back, once smooth and flat, was now burned and gnarled like the rocky riverbank. He floated along the water, watching the last bit of smoke rise into the sky, all the while grumbling and muttering to himself. And he's been that grumpy ever since.
Don't trouble Trouble until Trouble troubles you.
The Origin of Evergreen Trees
Legends from Malaysia
In the early days of the earth all trees used to lose their leaves in the fall. Since Erleg Khan had brought disease to the world humans sicken and die when they grow old. The Raven, however, felt pity for mankind and desired to restore the original immortality of human beings.
At that early time a giant mountain, Humber Ula, grew at the center of the world and its summit touched the entrance to the upper world. At the top of this peak grew an aspen of gold with silver leaves which stood by the spring of the water of life. Whoever drank of this spring would be restored to health and could live free of all illness.
The Raven flew to the spring of the water of life and took up as much water as he could in his beak. He planned to bring the water to the human beings so that they would get a few drops and become immortal. As he flew back down to earth he neared a grove of pines standing beside the humans' camp. Suddenly an owl cried out from the trees. The Raven, starled by the cry, opened his beak and the water spilled down onto the pines. For this reason pine trees stay green throughout the year, while the leaves of other trees, like humans, grow old, fall down, and die.
The Origin of the Stars
Philippine Legend
Hundreds of years ago, some people say there were no stars. The sun was a mighty god, ruler of the day. Buan, the moon, was a rival god of the sun and desired to rule both day and night. Lihangin, god of the wind, was a friend of both the sun and the moon.
One day he went to visit Araw, god of the sun, to warm himself. When they were sitting together, Araw told Lihangin that he had bad feelings toward Buan. He said that he noticed him showing during the day. This meant that Baun desired to occupy a part of Araw's kingdom. Lihangin wanted them to be good friends. He told Buan not to occupy any part of Araw's kingdom. He said that Araw was fair and just, so Buan must be, too. The moon did not pay attention to his advice. He continued to shine during the latter part of the day and sometimes during the morning. Araw could not bear it. He told Buan not to do it any more. Buan insisted. They had a quarrel. Buan was badly hit. Parts of his body were scattered around, and these became the stars, leaving the moon without its former light. Such was the origin of the stars.
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How the Zebra got its Stripes
How the Swan Got a Long Neck
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How the Zebra got its Stripes
Zebras, many years ago were not black and white. They were white. Some would say that they were a mixture between a white horse, and a donkey or mule.
People at this time were still trying to domesticate (or train) wild horses so they could show them off, and prance around on them since they were so beautiful.
Now zebras were called zebras since they were a bit different from horses, and mules. But it was very difficult to catch, and train a zebra. One day a zebra which was still very young, wondered off into the village. Many people started to stare and whisper about how they would catch it.
The zebra became alarmed, and realized what they would try to do. So he frantically began to run. People started to run inside to get a net to catch the zebra with. He ran and ran. Finally he had an idea.
He found some black paint, and tipped it out of the pot that it was in. It splattered out into little wavy lines. So he rolled in it until his body was covered with black stripes. He did this thinking that it would make him ugly.
The people of the village finally found him, and realized what he had done to himself. They didn't think that he was pretty any more since he had black blurry stripes all over him. So they let him go.
Soon all zebras did that so that people would leave them alone. Then gradually they didn't need too. Zebras started to be born like that except they were beautiful
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How the Swan Got a Long Neck
There was this really large pond that ducks, and swans shared. It was in the shape of a swan , so the vain swans insisted that it should be called swan lake.
Many think that there isn't much difference between swans and ducks but there is.
Swans at first didn't have long necks but they had beautiful feathers, slender bodies, and they didn't paddle like ducks, they gracefully swam. The ducks however at this time were ugly, and bulky and just frantically kicked their short legs to swim. The swans wouldn't let the ducks swim with them, which angered the ducks since they too lived at that pond.
One day while the swans, and ducks were arguing about which group would swim first a flock of geese came over as they were passing by to see what all the fuss was about.
They listened, and found that the swans were vain and thought that since they were prettier, and grace fuller that they should use the pond first. They also found that the ducks thought that they should use it because the last time the swans refused to let them have their turn.
Then a goose said,(more like honked) that they should share the pond since it was rather large. The swans unsurprisingly got mad at this so a fight broke out. The ducks were pulling at the swans feet, and the geese were honking and biting the swans necks, and pulled as hard as they could.
About an hour later the fight had ended. The ducks and geese stood there looking humorously at the swans. They had stretched the swans necks out so far that they couldn't hold their heads up. A few hours later the swans had finally shortened their necks at least to the point where they could steadily hold them. But after that day swans, ducks, and geese shared all the ponds in peace, and there were no taking turns.
But still today the swans have fairly long necks. The ducks however are no longer ugly,they to are pretty, and a little more graceful.
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