INTRODUCTION

***** What is a LEGEND *****

A legend (Latin, legenda, "things to be read") is a narrative of human actions that are perceived
both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities
that give the tale verisimilitude.

Fairy tales, myths, legends, and folklore are terms which may seem to mean the same thing:
fanciful tales. This conception is seemingly validated by the fact that the terms are often used
interchangeably. While it's true that the terms may refer to bodies of writing that are related at
their most basic level as stories, they each present a unique reader experience. Here's what they
mean...
Myth

A myth is a traditional story, which may describe the origins of the world and/or of a people. A
myth is an attempt to explain mysteries, supernatural events, and cultural traditions. Sometimes
sacred in nature, a myth can involve gods or other creatures. And, a myth represents reality in
dramatic ways.

Folklore/Folktale

Whereas myth has at its core the origins of a people, and is often sacred, folklore is a collection of
fictional tales about people and/or animals. Folktales describe how the main character copes with
the events of everyday life, and the tale may involve crisis or conflict. Superstitions and unfounded
beliefs are important elements in the folklore tradition. The study of folklore is called folkloristics.

Legend

A legend is a story purported to be historical in nature, but without substantiation. Prominent

examples include: King Arthur, Blackbeard and Robin Hood. Where evidence of the existence of
actual historical figures exists, figures like King Richard are legends due in large part to the many
stories that have been created about them.
Legend also refers to anything that inspires a body of stories, or anything of lasting importance or
fame. The story is handed down from earlier times, but will continue to evolve with time.

Fairy Tale

A fairy tale may involve fairies, giants, dragons, elves, goblins, dwarves, and other fanciful and
fantastic forces. While traditionally intended for children, fairy tales have also been draw into the
field of literary theory. And, many books are based on the story of "Cinderella," "Beauty and the
Beast, and other fairy tales.

***** CHARACTERISTICS OF A LEGEND *****

A legend has characters and events that are often exaggerated; the setting is usually a notable
place and time in history.

Legends are stories once believed to have been true, turns out to be fictional. The heroes of
legend are fictional heroes or real people who aren't quite what they're made out to be, who were
either so lifelike or so admirable that people wished they were real. This description fits the works
and heroes typically associated with the genre. Legends are focused on individuals and their
accomplishments look for these things in a story.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A LEGEND:

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

exaggerated characters & events

usually handed down by tradition (maybe)
focuses on individuals and their accomplishments
fictional story once believed to be true (turns out to be fictional)
characters aren't what their made out to be
paragraph

G. narrative
*A legend belongs in the category of folktales. Some of the characteristics above explain those of
folktales, not legends. For example, folktales were handed down ORALLY by tradition.
***** STORY ELEMENTS OF A LEGEND *****
Characterization

Characters are very few Animated, inanimate, or personified gods or humans with super or
god like traits.

The gods or superheroes can take the form of human, but are immortal with super natural
powers.

Place is cultural relevant.

Time is past realistic time.

The plot will most likely include plenty of action, suspense, and basic conflict.

May offer explanations about the beginnings of the world or natural phenomenon.

May also focus on difficult tasks or obstacles to be overcome.

Plot deals with relationships between humans and gods/ superheroes, or gods/ superheroes
and gods/ superheroes, the way people accept or fulfill their destiny, and human's struggle
with god and evil forces both within themselves and outside themselves.

Others plots tell how the world began, how people were made, how seasons change,
animals have certain characteristics, how the moon, sun, and earth interact

A collection or set of myths becomes a Mythology.

A mythology can have a connected plot about an institution, situation, behavior, or

happening that provides an explanation of power through force or energy in human form.
With the force or energy used to control nature, people, or a complex situation. This control
is traditionally exercised by gods with godly attributes.

Attributes can be for good or bad: wise, foolish, love, hate, virtuous, evil,

In a more modern sense the beings may be superheroes.

Explains natural phenomena, origins of life, human behavior, social phenomena, religious
customs, human strengths, weaknesses or lessons for life.

Reflects culture's customs, values, and beliefs.

Reflection of human strengths, frailities, weaknesses, or imperfections.

Usually includes supernatural beings or events.

Believe main character can survive all obstacles to achieve goal.

Setting

Plot

Theme

Style

Tone

Reader is lead to new insights and/or understandings.

Point of View

Often third person narrative.

THE LEGEND OF MAGAT RIVER Magat River is a river in the Philippine island of Luzon. It is the
largest tributary of Cagayan River, the longest and largest river system in the country, with an
estimated drainage area of 5, 110 km, roughly twenty percent of the total drainage area of the
river.

The Magat River is tale about the girl who was swallowed by the river and when the river spit her
she turn into a beautiful girl. Then here's come a hunter named Magat"- a strong willed young
man. Eventually, when Magat saved the girl, he proposed to marry her and spoof! The girl agreed
but in one condition, that Magat would not see the girl at noon. Later on, Magat was so curious in
the girl's activity at noon and then he try to discover it. He actually discover the secret of the girl,
then the girl died because Magat broke his oath. Magat blamed him for his wifes death and him
worn out by sorrow. Magat drowned himself in the very stream when he had met and rescue his
wife. As the deep stream engulfed Magat, it grows into a mighty river.

Unnamed beautiful maiden Theme: Never make a promise to a person when you have no
intentions of keeping it. Expectation hurts in case you dont know that. Magat River Ilog ng
Magat River Country Philippines Region Cagayan Valley Source Source of the Magat River
The Legend of Magat River Setting: Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
***** SUMMARY *****

The magat river is tale about the the girl who was swallow by the river and when the river spit her she
turn into a beautiful girl. Then here's come a hunter named "magat"- a strong willed young man.
Eventually, when magat saved the girl, he proposed to marry her and spoof! The girl agreed but in one
condition, that magat would not see the girl at noon. Later on, magat was so curious in the girl's activity
at noon and then he try to discover it. He actually discovers the secret of the girl, and then the girl died
because magat broke his oath. Magat blamed him for his wifes death and him worn out by sorrow. Magat
drowned himself in the very stream when he had met and rescue his wife. As the deep stream engulfed
magat, it grows into a mighty river.
***** SYNOPSIS *****
The Legend of the Magat River
A long time ago, there lived in Bayombong a tall, handsome man called Magat. He was young andstrong,
and fast as a hunter and sure in his spear shot. He could run as fast as a deer and strong as hewas, he
could down a bull with ease. He was strong-willed and obstinate but he was also kind andgentle. Except
for a few who envied him his prowess, everybody in the village loved and respected him. Magat loved
outdoor life, and roamed in the forest surrounding the struggling settlement. One day, fired by adventure
he wandered farther than usual. Soon night came. Being far from home, he kindled a fire in his crude,
primitive way. He lies beside the fire and fell asleep. Early the next morning, he pursued his solitary way.
Finally he came upon the largest stream he had ever seen. He stopped and crawled noisily to the bank of
the river near the fall. Upon parting the tall grasses he beheld a lovely sight just across the streambeneath the shade of the outspreading branches of the big balete tree was a very beautiful maiden. She
was bathing and was nude from the waist up. She was the most beautiful woman Magat had ever seen
and he fell in love with her at first sight.From where he was hiding, Magat's attention was attracted by a
silent movement on a spreading branch; Magat saw a great python, coiled around the branch, which was
ready to attack the beautiful woman. He jumped backward. The noise he made drew the attention of the
maiden, who, turning around, saw him poise a spear. She mistook his attitude for hostility and ducked
under water. Just as the python sprang, the spear flew from Magat's hand. The snake was struck right
through the eyes and brain. The next moment, Magat was in the water and carried the beautiful Maiden
ashore. She struggled a little but did not scream, as she modestly tried to cover her body with her long
dark hair. Magat pointed to the writhing python. Upon seeing it, she screamed instinctively and drew close

to Magat, who put a protecting arm around her lovely shoulders. Gratitude and admiration were all over
her pretty face. Magat picked up his broken spear and went back to the young woman. They wandered
about in the forest. Under the spell of nature, Magat asked the woman to be his wife; the woman, after
making Magat promise in the name of the great Kabunian not to see her at noon, consented. He brought
her home and made a cozy room for her. Everything went well and happily for a while. But the passing
days, his curiosity mounted more and more and at last, it grew out of bounds. One noon, he broke his
promise and broke into his wife's seclusion. In his wife's bed of soft leaves and grasses he beheld a sight
that chilled his heart. A great crocodile was lying on his wife's bed. Believing that his wife had met a
horrible death, he rushed to the kitchen, fetched an ugly weapon and returned to his wife's room. He
raised his weapon to kill the crocodile when suddenly he saw his wife on the bed instead of the crocodile.
His wife was dying. "You broke your promise. I can no longer be happy nor live any longer. I must die." his
wife sobbed. Slowly life ebbed from her. On her beautiful skin, scales appeared, as she turned into a
crocodile before his very eyes. That was his punishment for having broken his promise made in the name
of Kabunian. Sadly, Magat buried the dead crocodile in his front yard. Worn out by grief for his lack of
fidelity to his word and over the death of his lovely wife, he drowned himself and his miseries in the same
stream grew into the mighty troublesome Magat river.
***** LESSON *****
Never make a promise to a person when you have no intentions of keeping it. Expectation hurts in case you don't
know that.