The Lost Necklace
The Lost Necklace
A Visayan Filipino Tale… Adapted by Navin
Once upon a time, there lived a humble crow. He had many friends and spent his days finding random discarded objects of value and selling them. He could often be found in the dumping ground or junkyard, activ ely converting other men’s trash into his own treasure. He soon had a large store of money saved and looked out for an appropriate way to spend it.
One day, a merchant traveling from an exotic land was selling his wares at market.
Among them was a beautiful necklace. It was made of corals, which the crow had never seen before. The crow was mesmerized. He flew home and fetched his money pouch at once. Returning to the market, the crow purchased the necklace with zeal, though he had to fork over much of his savings. He immediately put the necklace on and decided to fly around the area to show his friends his new jewelry. Everyone agreed that the necklace was very elegant. Among the crow’s friends was an addlebrained hen. She lit up when she saw the crow.
“Ah, what a beautiful necklace Crow! Please do let me borrow it for a day! There is a party tomorrow and if I go wearing this necklace, everyone will be so impressed,” she clucked.
The crow was reluctant to loan his new necklace, but he liked the hen, and decided to give it to her.
Two days later, the crow flew to the hen’s house to collect his necklace. When he arrived, he found the hen pecking at the dirt, roaming all over her yard. “Hello Friend!” said the crow, “I’ve come to collect my necklace!” The hen began to sweat profusely. “The thing is,” she began, “I haven’t got it! My chicks must have misplaced it while I was sleeping!”
The crow stood speechless. At last, he broke the silence. “I’m afraid I will have to report this to the king,” he intoned. “No, no, please don’t!” cried the hen. “I spent my life savings on that! If you don’t give it back, I’m going to the king,” the crow 
responded.
The hen frantically began pecking at the ground, turning over every leaf and twig in search of the necklace. Legend has it, she still is looking for the necklace to this day in fear of the king, and the hen and her chicks can be seen scratching at the ground anywhere you go. And there is usually a black crow sitting somewhere nearby, cawing reproachfully.
