A Little Book of Filipino Riddles Part 28

The Balite

This is the great parasitic fig, which encloses other trees in its embrace.

253.

Adda maysa nga cayo nga bulong nga bulong di met agsabong; sanga nga sanga dimet agbunga.

(Iloc.) Caoayan

There is a plant that produces leaves after leaves, but no flowers; branches after branches, but no fruit.

Bambu

254.

Siroc iti balay ti bacnang di macaycayan.

(Iloc.) Bulong ti caoayan

Under the _bacnang's_ house it cannot be clean.

Bambu leaves

255.

Nab-barnasi sin accab-bing-nga udde sicuana.

(Gad.,--also Iloc., Pang., Bis.) Ufud.

When newly-born, well dressed, but when he gets old he is naked.

Bambu shoot

The bud is covered with a down, which disappears.

256.

Nang munte ay may tapis, nang lumaki ay bulisles.

(Tag.) Caoayan

When young she wore a tapis; when grown she is unclad Bambu shoot

The _tapis_ is the most characteristic part of the woman's dress. It is a wide band of dark cloth (black or brown) worn over the other clothing, around the whole middle part of the body.

257.

Nanganak ang virgen itinapon ang lampen.

(Tag.) Sagueng

The virgin gave birth to a child and threw away the blanket.

Banana

258.

Nanganak ang asuang sa tuktok nagdaan.

(Tag.) Sagueng

An asuang gave birth to a child from the top.

Banana

259.

Naguit-log ni cannaoay inocopan ni teg-gaac idi cuan guiaoen ni oac ti nagtaraquen.

(Iloc.) Saba

A stork laid an egg; the crane hatched a lark from it; the crow took care of the young.

Banana

260.

Sancadaoa sangalabba.

(Iloc.) Sangcabulig a saba

A seed-bearing stem; one fills a basket.

Bunch of bananas

261.

Macagto sa simbahan si Mary, pito o ualo ang iya saya.

(Tag.) Puso

Mary is going to church having seven or eight s.h.i.+rts.

Banana bud

The bud is wrapped or folded within a number of bracts.

262.

Adda puso a maysa dagat nag apuanna alupasit naglasatanna.