Alamat ng Bayabas (English Version)

“The Legend of the Guava” is a folk tale that tells the story of a proud and cruel king named King Yabas, known not for his kindness but for his arrogance and selfishness. Under his rule, there was no place for compassion or humility. One day, however, a mysterious old woman arrives to test his character—changing the course of his life forever. This legend shows that pride comes with consequences, and that goodness always triumphs in the end. It also tells the origin of the guava tree—a fruit shaped like it wears a crown, a reminder of a former king. Come and read “The Legend of the Guava.”

Read also: Alamat ng Saging (English Version) »

Ang Alamat ng Bayabas (The Legend of the Guava)

A long time ago, in a town surrounded by lush forests and clear streams, there lived a king who was very well known—not because he was kind or wise, but because he was extremely grumpy and arrogant!

His name was King Yabas. Every command he gave had to be obeyed immediately. If there was anything wrong with his food, he would throw it away at once. If his shoes had even a speck of dirt, he would scold his servants. Everyone in the kingdom feared him.

“I am the most powerful in this kingdom! I have everything—wealth, power, and good looks! No one is greater than me!” boasted the prideful king.

One day, King Yabas decided to take a stroll outside the palace with a few of his guards. As they walked, an old woman approached him. Her clothes were tattered, and it was clear she hadn’t eaten.

The guards tried to keep her away, but she insisted and pleaded, “Dear King, have mercy on me. I am also a citizen of your kingdom. May I ask for even just a little food? I am very hungry. Please, have pity.”

But the arrogant king replied, “Go beg somewhere else! There are no beggars in my kingdom! Leave now, before I have you thrown far away!” shouted King Yabas.

Suddenly, the wind howled fiercely. The sky darkened, followed by thunder and lightning. People ran in fear. In the blink of an eye, the old woman transformed into a powerful fairy!

She had come to see for herself if the rumors of an arrogant king were true. And indeed, they were. Enraged, the fairy said, “King Yabas, because of your terrible attitude, you deserve to be taught a lesson!”

King Yabas closed his eyes—and when he opened them, he was in the middle of the forest. But he was no longer human—he had turned into a tree!

“This is where you belong—where you can no longer boast,” declared the fairy.

Meanwhile, the people of the kingdom were puzzled by the sudden disappearance of their king.

“Where could King Yabas have gone?” they asked one another.

The kingdom was bright and peaceful again, and the arrogant king was never seen again.

Days passed. As people walked through the forest to gather firewood, they noticed a strange tree they had never seen before. It bore small fruits, and under each one appeared to be a tiny crown.

Out of curiosity, they tasted the fruit.
“What is this?” a child asked.
“So bitter!” an elder exclaimed.
“As bitter as King Yabas’s attitude!” laughed the people.

They threw the fruits away and went on with their tasks.

Weeks later, they passed by the forest again and noticed the tree’s fruits had grown larger. From bitter, astringent, and small, they had become plump, fragrant, and looked delicious. The people tasted the fruit once more.

“So tasty!” shouted a child.
“It still has a slight bitterness, but it smells great and tastes much better than before!” said an old man.
“It’s crunchy and slightly sweet when ripe!” added another.

They brought the fruit home, and everyone who tasted it was amazed and delighted.

They noticed that the fruit still had a crown, like a king, so they agreed to name it yabas—in memory of the once-arrogant King Yabas, now just a tree in the forest.

King Yabas was never seen again. But the people took care of that unique tree. Eventually, more of them grew throughout the kingdom. Over time, the name “yabas” evolved into “bayabas” (guava).

Read also: Alamat ng Bayabas (Buod, Tauhan, Aral, atbp.) »

Summary of the Legend of the Guava

Long ago, there was a proud and cruel king named King Yabas. Despite his power and wealth, he had no compassion for his people. One day, a poor old woman approached him asking for food, but instead of helping, he drove her away. The woman turned out to be a powerful fairy who had come to test his kindness. As punishment for his arrogance, she transformed King Yabas into a tree in the middle of the forest.

Days passed, and the people discovered a strange new tree bearing small fruits with crowns underneath. When they tasted the fruit, it was bitter and unripe—just like the king’s attitude. But over time, the fruits became plump, fragrant, and sweet. The people decided to name it “yabas,” in memory of the former King Yabas. Eventually, the name evolved into “bayabas,” or guava.

Characters in the Legend of the Guava

• King Yabas – A proud and cruel king who was punished and turned into a tree because of his arrogance and lack of compassion.
• Old Woman/Fairy – A powerful enchantress who disguised herself as a poor beggar to test the king’s character.
• People of the Kingdom – Ordinary citizens who eventually discovered the guava tree and learned from the king’s mistake.
• King’s Soldiers – The guards who tried to stop the old woman from approaching the king.

Lessons from the Story

• Do not be arrogant or look down on others.
• Always be kind and helpful, especially to those in need.
• True beauty is found in a good heart, not in appearances or power.
• Every bad action has consequences.
• Humility is an important trait, especially for those in positions of power.

Conclusion

The Legend of the Guava serves as a reminder that pride and cruelty lead to downfall, while kindness and humility are virtues that uplift both individuals and communities. Through the downfall of King Yabas, the story teaches us to treat others with compassion and respect. The guava fruit, with its crown-like bottom, stands as a symbol of the lesson left behind by a once-arrogant king.

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