Why the Sea is Salty 7.

He disguised himself as a young man and became a constant visitor at Aliwan’s

Narrated by Ernesto Martir house. He soon declared his undying love for her. But Sadaya had nothing but disdain
for the dark suitor. She had vowed that nothing or nobody but the wealthiest prince
would have her daughter for a wife.

1. When the world was still young, there lived on a lonely island in the middle of the 8. Finnaly, when Marag-sa-tubig went to Sadaya and formally asked for the hand of
Visayan Sea a selfish old woman who cared for nothing in the world but gold. She Aliwan in marriage, the haughty old woman answered: “You can never make my
loved gold so much that the very house in which she lived, the bed on which she lay daughter happy with your love. You have nothing to offer except your fishy smell.
at night, and even the plates she used at meals were all made of the precious metal. However, if you can deliver to me before dawn tomorrow a hundred paraw laden
The island on which she lived was a small one, rocky and barren. But what made her with gold, I might reconsider your proposal.”
a very wealthy woman was the fact that the only cave in the whole world which
produced salt was on the island and it belonged to her. 9. Upon hearing these words, Marag-sa-tubig felt a flicker of hope in his troubled heart.
Returning to his father’s kingdom, Marag-sa-tubig told his father of Sadaya’s terms.
2. So selfish was this old woman, whose man was Sadaya that she would not part with a
single grain of her salt without asking for a heavy price for it, usually in gold. At that 10. “We might be able to meet her terms in a week to two,” Lowadnon comforted his
time, all the seas and the oceans were still fresh water, so that people from far and son.
near had to sail to her island to obtain the precious commodity. But not all who
bargained with the cunning old woman were successful, for many were those who 11. “But father, it has to be before dawn tomorrow,” Marag-sa-tubig cried.
sailed away empty-handed, not being able to pay what Sadaya demanded. It was not
surprising, therefore, that after a short time, Sadaya found herself a very wealthy
woman. 12. “Yes, I know, my son,” said Lowadnon. “But gold is scarce nowadays. Let’s ask
friend Habagat to send more gold-laden boats to the bottom of the sea. Then, we
3. For all her wealth, Sadaya was not happy. She had lived alone in the island since her might be able to collect enough gold to satistfy Sadaya’s wishes.” Marag-sa-tubig
fisherman-husband died in a storm years ago. He had left her a beautiful daughter lost no time in going to the monsoon-god Habagat.
Aliwan.

4. Unlike her mother, Aliwan was generous and kind. Even the birds who heard her soft 13. “What brings you here, my son?” asked Habagat.
voice singing in the early morn learn to love her as did the few flowers on the island
which felt her gentle touch.
14. “We are in dire need of your help to gather enough gold to fill a hundred paraw,”
5. One morning, while the beautiful Aliwan was bathing near the shore some distance panted Marag-sa-tubig. And tearfully the young man told Habagat how he paid court
from her mother’s home, a dark young man who happened to be passing by saw her. to Sadaya’s daughter and of her mother’s demand for gold.
He was Marag-sa-tubig, the eldest son of Lowadnon, the sea-god. It was only fleeting
instant, but when their eyes met, Marag-sa-tubig fell hopelessly in love with her. The 15. “But what must I do to help you?” asked Habagat.
young sea deity approached Aliwan, but she fled to her mother’s house.

6. Marag-sa-tubig went home to his father’s kingdom beneath the sea. He couldn’t think 16. Said the young lover: “Between now and tomorrow, sink every boat, big or small,
of anything else except the beauty of Aliwan. How he longed to see once again her found in our waters. Many of these are certain no contain gold meant foe exchange
long dark tresses playing on the waves, and her milk-white skin glistering in the sea- with Sadaya’s salt. My father’s followers are all waiting at the bottom of the sea,
water. The whole day long he dreamed of her alone and how he could possess her. waiting to gather this rich harvest. Be sure no to fail, O worthy friend of my father.”
 17. No sooner had Habagat heard the young man’s entreaties that he gathered all his
forces and set out upon the seas, darkening the skies and piling up mountain-high 4. What then was the problem of Marag-sa-tubig? What did he do to solve his problem?
waves. Before the fury of Habagat’s onslaughts subsided, a thousand paraw went to
the sea bottom.
5. The high point of a story’s suspenseful intensity is called climax. What is the climax
of the story? Identify the paragraph number where the climax can be found.
18. Soon Marag-sa-tubig’s followers had more than enough gold to fill a hundred paraw.
But alas, at the very moment Marag-sa-tubig was pleading with Habagat, the
beautiful Aliwan was on her way with some friends to a wedding feast on a 6. What made you think that the paragraph you specified is the climax of the story?
neighboring islet. They had set out to sea on a frail craft. The sea was calm and
smooth as a mirror when they left the island. They had not sailed far when, without
warning, the skies darkened and frightfully strong winds and heavy rains bore down 7. What do you consider as the most suspenseful or exciting part of the story? If you
upon them. Soon the tiny craft, with everyone on board, sank to the ocean floor. were a film director, which part would you emphasize? What sound effects are
essential to heighten such event?
19. The storm had not yet ended when Marag-sa-tubig arrived at Sanday’s island with his
gold-laden fleet of paraw. But woe of all woes! A weeping, wailing woman it was
who met him on the shore and told him of Aliwan’s fate. 8. Turning point is an event in the story which is the height of the action that would
untie the knot or signal the possible outcome of the story. Which is the turning point
of the story?
20. When Marag-sa-tubig learned of aliwan’s death, he tore at his hair is despair and so
deep was his anguish that he forgot to tell Habagat to end the storm. The tempest
raged on and the seas rose higher and higher. Soon Sadaya’s island was devoured by 9. How did the story end? This is the denouement or resolution part of the story?
the raging sea. But the cave continued to produce salt beneath the sea. Recount the ending part of the story.

21. Many, many years later, all the seas and oceans had turned salty as they still are to 10. How did Marag-sa-tubig react upon knowing what had happended to his beloved
this day. Aliwan? If you were Marag-sa-tubig, would you do what he did? Explain why.

11. How would you characterize the following: Marag-sa-tubig, Aliwan, and Sadaya?
BRAIN SQUEEZE

Answer the following questions.

12. What basic truth about life or human nature is presented in the story?
1. What is the setting of the story? Identify the place and time the story happened?
13. What lessons did you learn from the love story of Marag-sa-tubig and Aliwan?
2. Who are the characters in the story? Identify their relation to each other.
14. If you were Marag-sa-tubig, how would you overcome such a difficult trial in your
life – the death of a loved one?
3. What did Marag-sa-tubig feel toward Aliwan? How did Sadaya react when Marag-sa-
tubig asked for the hand of her daughter, Aliwan?