Twas Brillig

By Leoncio Deriada
It was a sunny day when Juanito, a ten year old boy, consulted the
help of Lolo Agaton to explain to him the looks, weaknesses, and
whereabouts of the monstrous creature, kapre. It was the kapre who
disturbed the barrio, where Juanito belongs. Juanito wanted to kill the
kapre by his bare hands, following the steps of his father, who was
continuously searching of another creature, tikbalang. His father has not
returned since he went on search. This urge him to kill the kapre
wandering around their barrio. With his carabao, named Rizal, because he
was born on December 30, they went to have bath and eat lunch.
Juanitos mother prepared lunch for him, a meal of rice and vegetables, an
overcooked green leaves, and a jar of bagoong on the side. He was
reminded of what Lolo Agaton has told him that there is nothing that
would kill the kapre, and this thought urge him to search the kapre,
prepare for the killing, and to believe that he is brave enough to face the
creature. It was brillig when he and Rizal came down the hill where the
kapre is located according to Lolo Agaton. He came with a slingshot, a
sword, and a jar of bagoong, hoping that these weapons would kill the
kapre. They heard a tremendous sound coming from the other side of the
brook. It was a sign that the kapre is near to where they stand. The kapre
was standing in front of Juanito, attempted to grab him with his arms, but
Juanito jumped onto the grass grabbing the sword on his side. He tried
swinging the sword to make the kapre fall down, after many tries, he did
cut the kapres wrist. The hand dropped into the grass but no blood
gushed out. The creature picked up his severed hand and returned it to its
place. The hand quickly joined its slump. Juanito tried another attempt to
kill the kapre, he swinged his sword on the creatures side. He expected
blood nor oversized intestines to flow out, instead gold and silver coins
dropped into the grass. Immediately, the kapre gathered the coins back in
his body and sealed it as if he was zipping a jacket. Rizal, the carabao,
tend to bring down the kapre with his horns. He aimed for the creatures
right leg and butted it. Unprepared for his attack, the kapre lost his

balance and fell down. It was the bagoong which was the only thing left
with Juanito after the slings rubber snapped near the Y-shaped weapon,
and the sword that could not kill the monster. He shook the jar of bagoong
and sprinkled it on the kapres face, then on his body and limbs. The kapre
screamed at the top of his lungs and writhed as if the bagoong had been
hydrochloric acid. Juanito was laughing that it was only that simple
bagoong that could down the most abominable monsters. The kapre tried
to stand up but he could not. Juanito gripped the sword trying to cut off
the kapres head, but the creature made a sign of the cross and begged
not to do it. Juanito was reminded of what his mother usually do, the sign
of the cross. The kapre hoped that he would not cut off his head because
he is also a believer, a Catholic. Juanito agreed to not cut his head off, but
he must bring home a trophy. The kapre offered his passe afro hair, and he
made a promise not to come back and disturb the barrio ever again. The
sun was setting as Juanito and Rizal reached the last hill for home. They
saw a multitude of people gathering at the foot of the hill screaming that
he is a hero, that he is their hero. Juanito raised the hair he got from the
kapre letting the people know that he downed the creature himself. His
mother was very proud also screaming and embracing him tightly. After
that, he asked himself, What are they so excited for? To think that it was
me who downed the kapre.

CHARACTERS:
Juanito a ten year old boy who is very inquisitive about the kapre
Lolo Agaton an old man, herbolario, who disagrees that calling the
carabao Rizal is very unpatriotic and blasphemous.
Mother of Juanito Very religious, very careful for her child, and thoughtful
Kapre a monstrous creature mostly recognize as hairy, giant, darkskinned, and terror.
SYMBOLISMS:
Amulet

Unorthodox Weapon
Espading/Espada/Sword
Ancient Glass Rosary Beads