The Adarna Bird (A.I Generated English Translation of "Ibong Adarna")

The Worthy Reward (130 - 158)

With a steady and radiant stride,
This prince, so gallant, reached the side,
Of the tree called Piedras Platas, wide,
His eyes on this beauty did reside.

When Don Juan saw this tree so grand,
With its branches spreading across the land,
He was captivated, could not withstand,
Such splendour, so wondrous and unplanned.

The leper's words, he soon forgot,
As if enchanted in that very spot,
The tree's golden leaves, his mind caught,
In its brilliance, all else was nought.

In his observations, he found,
Every leaf on the tree, around,
Shining like gold, on the ground,
A breathtaking sight, he had found.

Suddenly, as he gazed in awe,
His memories began to draw,
Back to what he'd heard before,
The leper's words in his mind's core.

He touched his forehead with his hand,
And in a voice, he did command,
"Alas, I forgot and let it stand,
The leper's words, as grains of sand."

Below, he glanced, and there he saw,
A house that left him in a draw,
Without hesitation, without a flaw,
The prince moved forward, in quiet awe.

As he reached the stair's location,
He met with a great revelation,
A hermit, in deep meditation,
Stood there, in sacred contemplation.

The prince was led into the house,
By the hermit, quiet as a mouse,
And there they sat, the prince so douse,
Sharing a meal in that peaceful place.

They both took a seat at the table,
Where their meal they would enable,
The prince noticed, and he was able,
To see his alms on the table.

He inquired right away,
To himself alone, he did say,
"Why is the loaf here today,
The one I gave on my way?

The loaf I gave in the street,
To the leper who begged a treat,
How did it find its way to this seat,
Brought by the hermit, is quite a feat."

Now, I cannot wonder how,
This secret came from God, somehow,
To the Christ Jesus, I vow,
Is the beloved hermit, right now."

After their meal was done,
The hermit asked the son,
"Don Juan, tell me, one by one,
What's the purpose you've begun?"

Don Juan replied in grace,
To the hermit's noble face,
"My intention, I will embrace,
And to you, I will make it trace.

My purpose, sir, is quite clear,
For the Adarna bird, that's why I'm here,
To find and to bring it near,
To heal my father, whom I revere."

The hermit's reply was clear and stern,
"Don Juan, your quest, you'll earn,
But hardship, you must discern,
And the bird, enchanted in return."

Don Juan replied with heart so bold,
"Even if it's my fate foretold,
Please, the location must unfold,
To the place, my journey's threshold."

The hermit spoke with wisdom's glow,
"Don Juan, young as you may go,
True obedience, you must show,
To your father's words, you must bestow."

"The tree you passed in your quest's refrain,
A captivating sight to explain,
There, the bird you wish to obtain,
Shall perch and sing, ending your pain."

"If the bird comes to that place,
Singing its song with grace,
And the night falls, in its embrace,
Unaware, it stays in that space."

"And when it finishes its song,
Seven times it will prolong,
The appearance it will don,
With feathers so bright, all along."

"So, when you've waited for its spell,
Seven songs it will dispel,
You'll have what you need as well,
To heal your father's ailment's swell."

"Here, take this and you shall find,
Seven limes and a knife of a special kind,
This is the remedy quite designed,
For the enchanted bird, for you to find."

"With each song that fills the air,
Wound your body, please beware,
Use the limes, squeeze on your care,
To stay awake, your strength repair."

"And when the seventh song is done,
Beware of what's to come,
For the bird's droppings will then run,
Don Juan, move away, don't shun."

"If the droppings touch your skin,
You'll become a stone, my kin,
In that state, you'll meet your end,
So, be cautious, my dear friend."

"Lastly, take this golden thread,
Tie it tight, don't be misled,
When the time comes, it is said,
Use it well, with care and dread."

"So, dear child, be prepared,
As the night's embrace is shared,
The Adarna will soon be there,
In the darkness, so beware."