The Monkey and the Tortoise / Ang Buhay ni Matsing at ni Pagong - Page 3 of 6

Illustrated by José Rizal

(Tagalog translation by Federico B. Sebastian) Bilingual (English-Tagalog) version with sketches

After some days they met.

Nagtagpo ang dalawa pagkaraan ng ilang panahon.

Hello, Mr. Monkey, said the tortoisehow are you getting on with your banana tree?

G. Matsing, ang sabi ng pagongkumusta ang iyong punong-saging?

Facsimile #3 - The Story of the Monkey and the Tortoise by Jose Rizal

Alas, answered the monkey, it has been dead a long time! And yours Miss Tortoise?

Naku, ang himutok ng matsingmatagal nang patay! At ang iyo, Bb. Pagong?

Very nice, indeed; with leaves and fruits.  Only I cannot climb up, to gather them.

Mabuti, napakabuti! ang sagot ng pagong.  Hindi lamang ako makaakyat sa puno at makapamitas ng mga bunga.

Never mind, said the malicious monkey, I will climb and pick them for you.

Bayaan mo, ang wika ng mapanlinlang na matsingako ang aakyat at mamimitas para sa iyo.

Do, Mr. Monkey, replied the tortoise gratefully.

Lalong mabuti, G. Matsing, ang nasisiyahang sagot ng pagong.

And so they walked towards the tortoise’s house.

Ang dalawa ay lumakad na patungo sa bahay ng pagong.

Learn this Filipino word:

waláng sinásabi