Philippine Folklore

Juan Osong and the Horse-Thief

           A few days after the incident concerning his father's plow, Juan's uncle came to their house. He was greatly worried. He could not find his carabao though he had searched far and wide.

       "Oh, don't worry about that," said Juan's father. "Juan can tell you where it is."

       "Yes," Juan's mother put in proudly, "Juan can tell you where it is. He will read in his books of magic and wisdom and tell you right where it is. Juan is now a very wise man." And she called for Juan to come immediately.

       "Juan, my dear nephew," said his uncle. "They tell me that you can answer any question. Now, please help me find my lost carabao. Look in your books and tell me where it is."

       "I'll try, Uncle." said Juan modestly.

       By great good fortune, it so happened that Juan had seen his uncle's carabao that very morning. It had gotten its rope entangled among the tall cogon grass, so that it could hardly move. Juan made a great show of going through all his books. Now and then, he would mumble some unintelligible words. His parents proudly looked on while his uncle anxiously waited.

       At last he smiled and said, "Aha, I've got it. I now have the answer." Then, Juan stood up and solemnly intoned:

       "Relo, Dillo, Relogon- Carabao in the patch of cogon."

       Juan's uncle hurried to the cogon patch and found the carabao as Juan had said.

       News of this great achievement spread through the village. Juan's father strutted arount the town telling everyone what a wise man he had for a son.

      The people marveled at Juan's sudden wisdom. Juan's fame spread like fire to the nearby towns.

       Not long after this, a rich man lost a valuable white horse. He went to see Juan Osong immediately.

       "I've heard that you can answer any question. That's why I've come to ask your help. I've lost a priceless white horse. I'll give you anything you want if you can help me locate it."

       Juan was frightened. He knew that he could not do anything to help the rich man. So, he said, "I'm sure others who are wiser than me can helo you. Perhaps you should go to them instead."

       "Ah, but you are the modest," said the rich man. "That only shows that you are also the wisest. You must come with me. Help me find my horse and I'll make you rich for the rest of your life." Juan could do nothing except come along. But all the while he wondered what he would do or say.

       A big crowd had gathered at the rich man's place. They had come to see the famous Juan Osong. This frightened Juan even more.

       "Now, take out your books and tell me where my white horse is," the rich man said. "The people will want to see you perform your wonderful magic."

       A big table was brought out. It was set on a platform so that everyone could see Juan at work. Juan opened his great books and laid them side by side on the table. He pretended to study the deeply. But all the time he was thinking of how he could get out of the tight fix he was in.

       The crowd waited patiently. Juan pretended to mutter some magic words. Now and then, he made some strange gestures with his hands. At last he stood up. The crowd became very quiet.

       "Your horse has been stolen," Juan told the rich man in a voice loud enough for all to hear. The crown murmured in agreement.

       "Who stole my horse?" asked the rich man eagerly.

       "I won't tell you, but the thief will be punished and the horse will be returned to you." The crowd roared in applause.

       Juan now faced the crowd.

       "I have just cast a magic spell on the man who stole the horse," he announced in a loud voice. "The thief shall die a terrible death before the next morning. At midnight, he shall begin to feel terrible pains. In a few minutes, he will be rolling on the ground, and shouting in agony. He will die before morning and the horse will come back to its owner." The crowd applauded vigorously at this announcement.

       "All right," said the rich man, "I'll see if my horse is back before morning."

       "You'll get it by tomorrow," said Juan. "I'll come back in the morning. Be sure that my reward us ready by then."

       Juan then hurriedly left the rich man's house. He planned to run away as soon as it was dark so that he would be far away the next morning. He went to his house and began packing his clothes. As he was about to leave, a stranger came and asked to talk to him.

       "Juan, Great Juan, please help me! Save me from your magic spell," begged the stranger falling on his knees. Juan was dumbfounded. He did not know what to say.

      "I'm the one who stole the rich man's horse - but perhaps you already know that," sobbed the stranger. "Now , I've heard that you have cast a magic spell that will cause me to die before morning. Please forgive me, Juan. I'll give you anything. I'll do anything you want, but please spare me from the terrible death of your magic spell."

       Slowly, the truth dawned on Juan. So, this was the man who stole the horse! Once again he decided to play the part of a wise man.

     "It is well you came," Juan said solemnly. "I'll remove the magic spell if you promise to return the horse to its stable tonight. Furthermore, I'll not say anything about you, as long as the horse is back."

     The man promised and hurried to do Juan's bidding.

       Imagine the rich man's surprise when he woke up the next morning to find the horse back in its stable. He rewarded Juan with a lot of gold.

     News of Juan's latest triumph spread far and wide and Juan Osong became more famous than ever before.