Tita's dream [short story]

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Part of The Young Citizen: The Magazine for Young People

Title: Tita's dream [short story]
Creator: Panlasigui, I
Language: English
Year: 1936
Subject: Short stories, Philippine (English); Philippine fiction (English)
Rights
Abstract: [Tita is a bright girl and full of imagination. One day, she had a dream where she heard voices that seems like the Day and Night. The voices try to explain to Tita their characteristics and why they can't appear at the same time. As she woke up with happiness, she barely can't remember and explain what her dream is all about.]
Fulltext: 338 THE YOUNG CITIZEN .lromm·y, lfJ.Ji; TIT A'S DREAM By I. Panlasigui TITA is a little girl barely eleven years old. She is very healthy although too tall for her age. She is very active and is rapidly developing a will of her own. She likes to play all the time. One day while the family was at dinner Tita did not like to eat. Her mother tried to make her eat her dinner but she absolutely refused to touch her food. She was not · sullen, nor was she sick. She simply did not like to eat. "Now, Tita, you had better eat because if you don't you will not grow to become a young lady," urged her mother. "I do not want to grow big to become a young lady," came the decided reply from Tita. She wants always to be a little girl. "But why?" asked her surprised father. "Because if 1 grow big like a young lady. I cannot play anymore. I like to play very much, and only little children play," reasoned out Tita. "But if you do not eat, you will grow smaller," argued her mother. "Very small like that?'; asked Tita quickly showing her little finger. "Surely," asrnred her fath:r. "When I become small like that, then will eat so that I will grow big again," concluded Tita. Tita could not be induced to eat. Her mind just now was on a doll which was giv.!t111111ir11, 1.'1./6 THE YOUNG CITIZEN en to her by her father the day befo1·e. Of course, mother knew very well that to keep peace in the mind of her little daughter and among the members of the family while the dinne1· was going on, it was bette1· to let Ti ta he1· own way. So she was let alone that day. Tita is the only child of the family. She is a bright girl and full of imagination. Being the only child she often imagines other children as he1· playmates. Sometimes in her plays she talks aloud to herself, imitating imaginary playmates. That afternoon she played with he1· doll after she 21Tived from school. It was aiready about nine o'clock in the evening when her mother told her that it was already time for her to go to bed. "Mother can I play some more? You see rny doll will be very lonesome to be left alone if I go to bed now. Dolly likes to play with me," said Tita. "Take Dolly with you and sleep with her," suggested her mother. "You know, mother," she answered, "] like to play very much. I like the day because I can play. I do not like the night because I cannot play. You always make me go to bed at night. Whv can't we have dav all the time and no night at all?" "You are too young yet to understand why we have day and night. But it is im· portant just now that you should go to bed. Take Dolly with you and sleep with her. Then you can play together in your dream," swr11:ested again her mother. Tita obeyed reluctantly. She took her doll with her. And after kissing her mother good night and said her little prayer she climbed up to her bed. Dolly was with her in bed. Befo1·e long Tita was playing with her doll in her dream. She dreamed th?t she was almost as big as a young lady. But still she liked to play with her doll. They were playing in a very strange place where there were many beautiful plants and flowe1·s of many colors, Among the flowers were many butterflies fluttering and dancing; from flowers to flowers. Tita was very much pleased with the butterflies that she wanted to have one of them in her hand. She tried to catch one of them. She ran here and there after a yellow and blue butterfly. But the butterfly flew faster than she could run. Soon she became tired. She could not run anymore so she sat down on a large round stone. While she was resting she heard a voice but she did not know where it came from. It was like an echo, but it sounded louder and clearer. The voice said, "Ti ta, why a1·e you here?" Tita looked around to find where th8 voice came from. She ~as a little bit afraid and did not answer. "Do not be afraid, Tita. am yoUI' friend," again came the voice. Tita took coUl'age when she hea1·d the word 'friend.' She asked the unseen speaker, (P/r'asr furn ro p11gc .Jfi.J) January, 1936 THE YOUNG CITIZEN A GOOD SON TIT A'S DREAM ;,ho I am." (Continued from page 337) "I play with you all the time," just gathered a big bundle of fuel "Who are you?" continued the voice. "I cover tho! for my mother," answered Rico. "Don't you know me? 1 am your earth with bright sunshine. The "Why is your back bleeding?" friend. You play with me all the birds sing, the butterflies flutter, and the lady asked him. time the flowers smile at the sky when I "My father whipped me because "But I do not know you. I can- come to earth. I broke his cane when I used it to not see you. Where are you?'' "When I come to waKe you up kill a snake," Rico told her. asked Tica looking around in the from your sleep the air is still cold, "Your father is cruel and you hope of seeing the unseen visitor. the sky is soft and blue. The sun should do something to stop his "Listen!" said the voice. "And rises behind the moUntains and cruelty," said the lady. soon you will see me and know smiles over the tops of the trees, thl ''No, my father is not cruel. l Ie els. They were very attractive and stars close their twinkling eyes to is hot-tempered. That is his weak- would tempt an ordinary person but sleep, and the cock crows 'good ness. Although he whips me some- Rico loved his father and was blind morning' to the world.times, I don't think he is cruel for to all those riches. "I paint the distant mountains I know that he does not mean i£ "I love .my father," he said fi- with blue, the trees with green, aud and he always feels sorry after- nally, "and all the riches in the the flowers with all th.: colors of wards," explained Rico. world cannot make me hate him the rainbow. "But you must do something to or do him any harm. Please leave "When I am about ro go away correct your father's temper. If you me or let me go now." the sun gozs down behind the Con't, some day be may kill you," "Enough," the woman said. mountains against rhe weste.rn sky. argued the lady, am convinced now that you are a And the sun makes the clouds into "What do you want me to d~ good and loyal son. I was just try- flowers of many colors-gold. yelthen ?" asked Rico. ing you. Now you aescrve a reward. low, red, blue and soft hazy pur"Tonight." said the lady, "whit~ Take as much treasure as you can ple. Th:? heavens and the earth your father is sl~eping. get a big carry. You will find also that your part to go to sleep. stone and give him a heavy bfo~,, father is cured of his bad temper."/ "I mak; ch2 people of all nati0r:s on the forehead with it. That will Rico filled a sinall sack with gold work. and I play with th:? childre~ cure his temper. Then lie down and coins and precious stones. After of all race-;." go to sleep or p:-etend to be sleep· thanking the kind lady, h'= ran Tita listened with amJurrienl ing. In th:;- mo:ning your father homeward as fast as his legs could and wonder to the recitai of the will be cured of his bad temper.·· carry him. When he' reached home, voice. When the voice ceased to "I caitnot do it," Rico told her. he laid the sack in a corn2r at th~ speak, she recogni:.:ed the speaker "I love my father although he loses foot of the stairs. He went up to and understood the message. his temper someti:nes and whips me. his father with fear in his hearr. "Yes, I know, now. who you No, I cannot do it and I'll never He was surprised when he was greet- are." she said with glad excitement. do it." ed by his father in ~ v2ry pleasant ''You arc Day." And as she spoke. "Listen. my boy," persisted the tone. the place where she was c;itting belady. "I hat:? your father because "Come to me, my sou, and'kiss gan to get dark and chilly. he is cruel to yo:1. I like you and your old father.'' And he presse<l "It is getting dark.! Wait for a I don't want yo::r father to abuse Rico against his breast. "Forgive me while, come back, talk some more. you. my child for having been so cru1>l and play with me," cried the little "My father is taking care of to you ac times. girl. moth2r and me," said Rico. "If he "Oh. Farber, let us forgel the "I cannot tarry any longer, I dies or becomes sick, we shall have past. It was not your fault. I have must go away for the night is coma h:ird ti~e. Nobody will support a wonderful story to tell." ing," answered the voice as it rethc family for I am too young to Rico r.m do·.vnstairs for the sack. cedes away into the limitless discut trees and mother cannot do hard Placing ic carefully be~or~ his par- tance. . work.'' cnts, he related the story of the Tica hJrdly heard the last word, The lady smiled and s'aid, "J can beautiful lady of che balete tree. His of the voice. It was already dark. S'!:ive you all chat you need becaus'? parents were very happy over their and for an in'stant the flow::rs ant! I am rich. Come with me to the good fortune, but thi!y did not for- the butterflies that she saW on th' trunk of the balcte tree and I'll show get their poor neighbors. They ground when ic Was yet bright you my wealth." shared their riches with the poor seemed to have been transfered to Inside the h0le in the huge balete people. Everybody was made hap- the sky for the st_ars were :tlread~ tree, Rico saw piles of gold pieces. py and prosperous because of a son's sparkling over head. There were precious stones and jew- loyalty to his father. (P!ea.<Je tuJ"n to page 360) '60 THE YOUNG CITIZEN .1 .... ,...,. Jiff TITA'S DREAM tains and gliding ovu th< vall<ys to_ YOUNG WRITERS' PAGE (Conliruud from page 353) the great oceans of the urth. "The night la coming," repeated "I scatter all over the vast buvTita to herself as she felt a chill ens millions 'f twinkling and smilcripping on her. She walked.around ing stars which like flowers, are no"'· Lo look for her doll, because in h~r one by one opening their petals to eagerness to catch a butterfly and in breathe in the evening air. her ~onfused excitement when she "I send the wild animals of the forwaa listening to the voice, she for- est to their caves and dens. I mak'I? got all about her doll. the birds go home to their nests and ·'Where are you Dolly? Come. give warmth to their young ones. let us go home for it is now very I make the flowers close theirc ey~. dark and [ do nor like ro sray here and sen_d rheir prayers ro heaven. ar nighr," called our Tira. Bur she ··1 make the whole earth as quiet received no answer. Once more she and srill as the moon beams that called and immediately she heard a walk among the flowers in order voice answering her call. that the maide.i can hear the throbs ''] am here already.'' of her lover's hearr. "But who are you? Your voia "In the quietnes\ of the night I is not the voice of my doll. nor thie make all living creatures rest from voice of Day who had just spoken their plays and toils. With the soft to rne a while ago. Who are your: and cool air of the eveni!lg, with she inquired with· puzzled excite· the wordless melody of the heavenment and she was now more afraid ly starry cho_ir, I lull them to their than when she heard the first voic:!. r<stful slumber."·. "No I am not your doll. I am "Perhaps I know who you are not Day either, f~r Day and I can- now," interrupted Tita. "You 1.rl" not stay together in one place," an Night are you not?" swered the new voice. ·"Yes, l am Night. I am glad "'Then please tell me who you that you re~ognized me, although are. Please, let me go home for 1 J am sorry to know that you do not am now afraid," she answered and like me. Some day when v.ou un.s.tarted to go away. derstand the speechless language of the moon, when you can hear the "Do not be afraid, Tita. Yoll chordless music of the evening a!r, will soon know who I am and 1 and when your heart beco111es sensi· hope that you will also learn to tive to the noiseless throbbings or like me as you like Day... another heart then •. I am SUfe, Tita, "Do tell me then who you u~ you would like me bette'I than Day. that I might not be afraid any-· Then you would wan't me to stay more," she pleaded with the Second .with you all the time so that I mav unseen visitor. lee the moon and the stars watch "i will. Now, listen," said thl! ovet you while you tarry to pla)'. voice. to dance, to sing. and to whisper in the beautiful garden of love." "I come when the day goes away. When I arrive I close che dark blu.: curtain over the western sky to hid\° the golden rays of the sun. becausethe moon and the stars.. like a timid maiden, do nfi)t like to come fJ.cc '"Even now I like you, Night."' -said Tita. "Please, dq not go aw1r yet. Make the moon and the stari \\ atch over me for I am now tired and very sleepy."" (CoaJn.11.,d fr-oPR PG6' 351) "Finr!" cried all th< rat. "Wr all see that you ~re clever:· • That evening. K&o was vrry busy over his costume and thrir "Nocbe Buena." Ah! b< thought of a plan. H< wonld get bis moth er's false hair for his beard. his mother's "pat~dyong" for his dna. and his falb<r's lighting cOck for their "Noch< Buena." Tix nn:t morning" h< did all bis plans S<Cm· ly and went to his companions and lo! what a fine Christmas th<y had. No sooner had they finished than his parents came with their sticks in their hands. You could imagine the sound beating Kiko tteeived for Whar he had done. But in spite c.f that he was very much pleased because he celebrated his Christmas: day as city. ptopl< do. LEON DAQUIS, VII-A ' was the voice of her mother thJt ~he heard. Sh< wok< up. Sh< was happy. breathltssly. happy but she did not know why. She remembered she had a wonderful dream. but she could not describe it now to any one, eve:n tu herself. Sh< only Mt its wonder and its promise. "Moth<r. I had a wond<rful dream!" she told her. "Do t<ll m<, all about it," answered her mother. '·Mother, I am "sorry I cannot tdl you. I only know it was wonderful. It seemed to be about me• wh<n I grow big likr i lady. Ob. it is wonderful. bUt I cannot r~· member· it at all." "Can"t you remembei a·nything .about it?" asked her motht:r urging her to recall. for ahr beam" ..:crious to knoW about her daugh tcr's dream. to face with the sun. The sound of her voice was stiil in her ears when she became a.w.1n. ""Yes, I remrmber one thing "I b'ring with me the pale moon of another voice, which at this tim~ now!'" she said with n:citemenl whose silvi:?ry rays dance and gliJI! was familiar to her. that htr mother looked at her with gracefully over the surface of th·: ""Tiu. wake up. it is time fc, focused anrnrioo. ri\•ers winding around the mour1- you to get ready for school."" It ··1 lo.st m~· doll! .. stw continued ..
pages: 338-339, 353, 360