Story Summary
Discover the Filipino myth, The Legend of the Pineapple, where a lazy girl named Pina is transformed into a fruit with a thousand eyes after a mother's curse.
Long ago, there lived a widow named Aling Rosa and her beautiful but lazy daughter, Pina. Aling Rosa spoiled her daughter, doing all the household chores while Pina spent her days playing in the garden. One day, Aling Rosa fell ill and could not get out of bed. She asked Pina to cook some porridge, but the girl complained, making every excuse to avoid the task. While in the kitchen, Pina constantly shouted back to her mother, asking where the ladle, the rice, and the water were, despite them being right in front of her. Frustrated and exhausted by the girl’s laziness and refusal to look, Aling Rosa cried out, 'Oh, Pina! I wish you had a thousand eyes so you could find everything yourself and stop asking me!' Pina suddenly went silent. When Aling Rosa recovered and looked for her daughter, she was nowhere to be found. Soon after, a strange fruit began to grow in their backyard—a golden fruit covered in dozens of small 'eyes.' Aling Rosa wept, realizing her daughter had been transformed, and she named the fruit Pinya in her memory.
The Moral
Laziness and a lack of initiative can lead to regret; one should always help their parents and look for things with diligence.
“I wish you had a thousand eyes so you could find what you are looking for!”
Fun Fact
This story is a staple of Filipino childhood, often humorously invoked by parents today when their children claim they cannot find something that is clearly visible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Legend of the Pineapple?
The moral is to avoid being lazy and to listen to your parents. It teaches children to be more observant and helpful rather than making excuses to avoid work.
Who transformed Pina into a pineapple?
In the legend, it was the mother's frustrated wish or 'curse' that caused the transformation. Her words had power because of Pina's persistent disobedience during her mother's illness.
Why does a pineapple have many eyes?
According to the myth, the 'eyes' of the pineapple represent the thousand eyes the mother wished Pina had so she could finally find the things she was too lazy to look for.
Is The Legend of the Pineapple a Filipino folktale?
Yes, it is one of the most famous 'Alamat' or legends in the Philippines. It is passed down through generations to teach children about household responsibility.
What happened to Aling Rosa at the end of the story?
Aling Rosa recovered from her illness but spent the rest of her life grieving for her daughter. She carefully tended to the plant as a way of looking after Pina.
What is the girl's name in the Legend of the Pineapple?
The girl's name is Pina (or Pinang), which is why the fruit is called 'Pinya' in the Tagalog language.
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