Once upon a time, in a place called Berbanya, there lived a rich king. His name was Haring Fernando. His wife was Reyna Valeriana, and they had three children. The first was Don Pedro, the courageous, next to Don Diego, the fearless, and last, Don Juan, the soft-hearted.
One night, the King had a nightmare. It was about his youngest son being killed by two men. The dream made the King depressed. He did not eat, drink or sleep. His sons called a doctor and the doctor said that the only cure is the song of the Ibong Adarna. The King commanded his oldest son, Don Pedro, to catch the Ibong Adarna for him. His son willingly set off to catch the bird.
After a long time of traveling, he finally reached the tree where the Ibong Adarna was. He met an older man who was looking for food, but Don Pedro did not give him. He just went straight to the tree. However, the bird was not there. So, he decided to sleep under the tree first. He was still sleeping when the bird came. The bird sang seven songs and, after singing, pooped. The poop landed on the sleeping Don Pedro, and he was instantly turned to stone.
The people in the castle became worried. They thought that something happened to him. So, the King commanded his second son, Don Diego, to get the bird. Don Diego also willingly set off.
After a long time of traveling, he finally reached the tree where the Ibong Adarna was. He also met the older man, but he did the same. He ran straight to the tree, and this time the bird was there. The bird sang seven songs. The songs made Don Diego sleepy, and he slept beside his stone brother. After singing, the bird pooped. The poop landed on the sleeping Don Diego, and he was also instantly turned to stone.
Next, the King hesitated, before commanding his last son, Don Juan, to catch the Ibong Adarna for him. His son also willingly set off to catch the bird.
After a long time of traveling, he also reached the tree where the Ibong Adarna was. The older man was there again, begging for food. Don Juan felt compassion and gave him his food. The older man was contented and instantly changed from an older man into a magician. The magician had seen Don Juan’s kind heart and helped Don Juan catch the Ibong Adarna. The magician gave him seven limes and a knife and a bottle of water. He told him to slice himself with a knife on his palm and squish the lime seven times, one for each song. Don Juan followed. He was able to survive the music, dodged the poop, and was able to catch the bird and rescue his brothers with the water the magician gave him. They happily ran back to the castle to their father. When the father heard the song, life seemed to come back! The King was alive! They lived happily ever after.
The End
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