The Sad Story of Bakunawa

(This is my version about the story of Bakunawa, a native Filipino myth.)

I was all alone, staring at the sky from the ocean floor. I am surrounded by darkness long before my birth. I hatched from an egg, and I alone kept myself fed. There wasn't much to see in my place, since not much light could pass through. I never saw anyone aside from my prey; I never even saw my face.
Tonight was like any other night. I hunted down creatures for food, and I prepared to daze at the murky waters above me. A thought came across my mind, “I never really swam up before”. With curiosity, I swam up with full force, and little by little did I see the waters become clearer. My eyes sparkled as I saw seven bright lights above me. It was astonishing and beautiful. It was a marvelous sight. As I was preparing to descend back to my place, I stopped. “This is me?”, I asked myself. My reflection under the seven moons was, how can I say it? Beautiful and majestic. Bright blue body with greenish blue scales. A body that is as long as the horizon could reach. Yes, I was- “A Sea Serpent!”. I was interrupted from my thoughts by the scream of creatures I have never seen before. They were tiny. But they were beautiful. I saw fear in their eyes as they stared at my whole being. I was hurt a little. I mean no harm.
I looked up once more at the night sky. I had an idea. I curled up my body into a spring-like position and I jumped out of the waters. I reached the seven moons and I took one. I thought that maybe this light will make my place a little bit brighter. So I descended back, and as I swam I noticed something. As I go deeper, the moon on my mouth gradually loses its light, until at the very bottom, not a glow can be seen. I became sad, because I thought that for once I could finally see the place that I call home.
And so I swam back up again, did the same actions, took a moon and brought it back. But the result was still the same. I did it again and again and again. And then I stopped. I heard the cries of those tiny creatures from before. They were angry, they were panicking, and they were crying. That was when I realized that the once bright night sky became darker. Only a single moon barely kept the night a little bit bright.
I stayed above the water for a short time, looking at the beautiful night sky for the last time. I cannot return the moons that I took because they don't glow anymore. I cannot go back above water, because I might be feared by the creatures that live on the shores. I stayed above the water for a moment, and I began to cry. It's truly beautiful.
I descended back to my place, at the ocean floor. All I ever wanted was some light. I only wanted to see this place. I want to see if this place also holds some beauty. I am afraid of this darkness, but I keep on living. I was all alone. I thought I finally had hope, but it was a hope that I cannot hold. Now, I am back. Now, I am alone once more.

Comments