Short Story - Pineapple

The legend of the Pineapple

A Filipino legend by: Boots Agbayani-Pastor

Once upon a time, a mother and daughter lived in a remote area on one of the islands in the Philippines.The daughter was named Pinang. Her mother Rosa did everything for her beloved Pinang. Pinang grew up as a spoiled child.

Sometimes, Rosa wanted her daughter to learn house chores but Pinang always refused. Pinang said she already knew what to do. Since then, her mother let Pinang do what she wants.

One day, Aling Rosa got sick, barely able to get up. Pinang''s mother asked her to do the house chores. The poor mother also begged Pinang to cook food for her. The stubborn daughter lodged the cooking pot and went outside to play. The cooking pot was left for a few hours and nearly burned their house. Aling Rosa feels sorry for what happened. Somehow, her daughter served her.

Aling Rosa''s condition got worse and forced Pinang to do the house chores. One day, Aling Rosa told Pinang to cook but the latter told her mother that she did not see the fire matches. On the other day, Pinang asked her mother where the ladle was. The cycle happens every day, Pinang keeps asking her mother about the particular things she needs.

Aling Rosa was annoyed at Pinang for her attitude and suddenly uttered "Oh Pinang, I hope you had numerous eyes to see everything you ask!". Knowing that her mother is angry, Pinang went outside of their house. In the evening, Pinang never came back and her mother worried. Aling Rosa was forced to cook food for herself. After a few days, Aling Rosa recovered from her sickness, and the poor mother asked their neighbor if they have seen Pinang but to no avail.

One morning, Aling Rosa noticed a plant on their backyard. She had no idea what it is. The plant has so many "eyes". Thereafter, Aling Rosa remembered what she had said to her daughter. The mother wept quietly and she took care of the plant. She named it after her daughter Pinang. And later on... it became, "Pinya"

What is the moral lesson of the story?

Photo credits: http://www.sci-news.com/genetics/science-pineapple-genome-03405.html https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/arts-culture/girl-power-beyond-the-box-volume-2-comic-compilation-interview https://www.carousell.ph/p/pineapple-pinya-pi%C3%B1a-supplier-philippines-239598564/ https://www.deviantart.com/lysusgashtall/art/Ang-Alamat-ng-Pinya-210271901

Thank you!