Sa gilid ng isang tahimik na lawa sa Mindanao, naninirahan ang maraming hayop. Kabilang dito ang isang gansa na si Lila, kilala sa kanyang talino at kasipagan, at isang matsing na si Kiko, na bantog naman sa pagiging mapagmataas at mapagimbot.
Si Lila ay madalas mag-imbak ng pagkain para sa tagtuyot, habang si Kiko ay laging nagrerelaks at umaasa sa kung anong makukuha sa araw-araw. Madalas din siyang tumatawa sa kasipagan ni Lila.
“Bakit ka nagpapagod ng ganyan, Lila? Hindi ba mas masarap ang buhay kung mag-enjoy ka na lang tulad ko?” ang sabi ni Kiko habang nagpapalipas ng oras sa ilalim ng puno.
Ngunit ngumiti lamang si Lila at patuloy na nagtrabaho. “Darating ang panahon na kakailanganin natin ang mga bagay na iniipon ko,” sagot niya.
Ang Malaking Pagsubok
Isang tagtuyot ang dumating sa lawa. Ang damo ay natuyo, ang mga puno ay nawalan ng bunga, at halos wala nang makain ang mga hayop. Si Lila, dahil sa kanyang kahandaan, ay may sapat na pagkain para sa sarili at para sa mga nangangailangan.
Samantalang si Kiko, na walang inimbak, ay nagutom. Lumapit siya kay Lila at nagmakaawa, “Lila, tulungan mo ako. Wala na akong makain. Sana’y hinayaan mo akong matuto mula sa’yo noon.”
Bagaman naalala ni Lila ang pagiging tamad at mapagmataas ni Kiko, nagpasya siyang tulungan ito. “Ito na ang pagkakataon mong matutunan ang halaga ng pagsisikap at pagiging handa,” sabi ni Lila habang binibigyan si Kiko ng pagkain.
Pagbabago ng Landas
Dahil sa kabutihan ni Lila, natutunan ni Kiko ang kahalagahan ng paghahanda at pagsusumikap. Nang sumapit ang tag-ulan at bumalik ang kasaganaan, nagsimula na rin siyang mag-ipon at tumulong sa iba.
Mula noon, naging magkaibigan sina Lila at Kiko, at naging aral sa lahat ng hayop ang kanilang kuwento.
Moral ng Kwento
Ang kasipagan at kahandaan ay nagdudulot ng tagumpay sa gitna ng kahirapan. Sa buhay, mahalaga ring matutong magpakumbaba at kilalanin ang mga leksyon mula sa iba upang maging mas mabuting nilalang.
English Translation
The Tale of the Wise Goose and the Greedy Monkey
By the edge of a serene lake in Mindanao, a variety of animals lived together in harmony. Among them was Lila, a diligent and clever goose, and Kiko, a boastful monkey known for his laziness and greed.
Lila spent her days tirelessly gathering food, preparing for the dry season, while Kiko lounged around, enjoying the moment and mocking Lila’s efforts.
“Why do you work so hard, Lila? Life is better if you just relax and have fun like me,” Kiko teased as he lay comfortably under a tree.
Lila simply smiled and continued her work. “A time will come when we’ll need what I’m saving,” she replied wisely.
The Great Challenge
One day, a drought struck the lake. The grass dried up, the trees bore no fruit, and food became scarce for the animals. Because of her foresight, Lila had enough food stored not only for herself but also to share with those in need.
Kiko, on the other hand, had nothing. Hungry and desperate, he approached Lila and pleaded, “Lila, please help me. I have nothing to eat. I wish I had listened to you before.”
Remembering Kiko’s arrogance, Lila paused but eventually decided to help. “This is your chance to learn the value of hard work and preparation,” she said as she gave him some food.
A Change of Heart
Grateful for Lila’s kindness, Kiko realized the importance of diligence and planning. When the rainy season returned and abundance came back to the land, Kiko started saving food and helping others in the community.
From then on, Lila and Kiko became close friends, and their story served as a lesson to all the animals by the lake.
Moral of the Story
Hard work and preparation lead to success in difficult times. It’s also important to stay humble and learn valuable lessons from others to grow into a better person.