Title: Why the Sea is Salty
Narrated by José M. Paredes of Bangued, Ilocos Sur
Long, long ago, in a small coastal village in the
Philippines, there lived a poor fisherman named Mang
Juan. Mang Juan had a loving wife and three children,
but they often went to bed hungry because he couldn't
catch enough fish.
One day, Mang Juan decided to seek the help of the
mystical sea goddess, Maria Makiling. Legend had it
that she had the power to grant wishes. Mang Juan
rowed his small boat to the deepest part of the sea and
called out to Maria Makiling.
To his surprise, the sea goddess appeared before him. "I know of your struggles,
Mang Juan. What is your wish?" she asked.
Mang Juan expressed his desire for an abundance of fish so that his family
wouldn't go hungry. Maria Makiling agreed to grant his wish but with one
condition: he must promise to never be greedy and take more than what his family
needed.
For a while, Mang Juan's nets were filled with an abundance of fish. His family
was happy, and they shared their blessings with their neighbors. However, as time
passed, Mang Juan became greedy. He started catching more fish than his family
could consume or share.
Maria Makiling, watching from the depths of the sea, was disappointed in Mang
Juan's actions. To teach him a lesson, she decided to make a change.
One day, as Mang Juan cast his nets into the sea, he noticed something unusual.
The water around him started turning salty. No matter where he went, the sea
remained salty, and the fish disappeared.
Realizing his mistake, Mang Juan cried out to Maria Makiling for forgiveness. She
appeared once again and reminded him of the promise he had broken. Maria
Makiling, seeing Mang Juan's remorse, decided to allow the sea to provide fish
once more, but she made sure the water would remain salty as a reminder of the
consequences of greed.
From that day on, the sea in that part of the world has been known to be salty.
Mang Juan, humbled and grateful, never took more than he needed again, and he
shared his catch with others in the spirit of community.
Moral of the Story: Greed brings consequences, and it's important to be grateful
for the blessings we receive and share them with others.
Comprehension Questions:
1. Setting:
Where does the story take place?
What is the main character's name, and what does the character do for a living?
2. Problem and Solution:
What problem does Mang Juan face at the beginning of the story?
How does Maria Makiling help solve Mang Juan's problem?
3. Wish and Condition:
What was Mang Juan's wish, and why did Maria Makiling grant it?
What condition did Maria Makiling set when granting Mang Juan's wish?
4. Consequences of Greed:
Describe how Mang Juan's behavior changes over time.
What are the consequences of Mang Juan's greed in the story?
5. Moral Lesson:
What is the moral or lesson of the story?
How does the sea goddess, Maria Makiling, teach Mang Juan a lesson?
6. Symbolism:
What does the salty sea symbolize in the story?
How does the sea goddess use this symbolism to convey a message?
7. Character Development:
How does Mang Juan change from the beginning to the end of the story?
Do you think Mang Juan learned from his mistakes? Why or why not?
8. Cultural Significance:
How does this folktale reflect Filipino values or beliefs?
Are there elements in the story that are unique to Filipino culture?
9. Personal Reflection:
How would you have reacted if you were in Mang Juan's situation?
What can we learn from Mang Juan's experience in dealing with blessings and
responsibilities?
10. Connection to Everyday Life:
Can you think of a similar situation in real life where someone faced
consequences for being greedy?
How can the moral of the story be applied to our own lives?
Grade Level: 6
Subject: English
Topic: Exploring Folktales from Different Philippine Regions
Objective:
Students will be able to identify and analyze common themes and cultural elements in
folktales from different regions of the Philippines.
Students will develop intercultural understanding by comparing and contrasting the
values and beliefs reflected in the folktales.
Students will demonstrate comprehension of the folktale "Why the Sea is Salty" through
discussions and written responses.
Materials:
Collection of folktales from various Philippine regions
World map
Chart paper and markers
Individual copies of the selected folktale, "Why the Sea is Salty"
Multimedia resources (optional)
Introduction (15 minutes):
1. Begin with a brief discussion about the diversity of cultures in the Philippines. Show the
students a world map and pinpoint the different regions they will be exploring in the
lesson.
2. Introduce the concept of folktales as a way to understand the values, traditions, and
beliefs of a culture. Emphasize the importance of respecting and appreciating diversity.
Reading and Analysis (40 minutes):
1. Provide each student with a copy of the folktale "Why the Sea is Salty."
2. Instruct students to read the folktale independently, noting down key cultural elements,
values, and themes present in the story.
3. After reading, have students work in small groups to compare and contrast the folktale
with others they have read. Encourage discussions on similarities and differences in
cultural elements.
Whole Class Discussion and Comprehension Questions (20 minutes):
1. Facilitate a whole class discussion where each group shares their findings about the
folktale "Why the Sea is Salty."
2. Introduce comprehension questions related to the folktale:
(Insert comprehension questions here)
3. Encourage students to express their thoughts and ideas, using evidence from the story to
support their responses.
Activity: Creative Expression (25 minutes):
1. In small groups, have students choose a scene from the folktale and create a visual
representation or dramatization.
2. Encourage creativity and authenticity in their representations, emphasizing the
importance of accurately reflecting the cultural elements.
3. Each group presents their interpretation to the class, explaining the cultural aspects they
focused on.
Conclusion and Reflection (10 minutes):
1. Summarize the key cultural elements explored in the folktale and the importance of
intercultural understanding.
2. Assign a reflective homework task: Ask students to write a short paragraph reflecting on
the moral of the folktale and how it relates to their own lives.
Assessment:
Assess students based on their active participation in discussions, the depth of their
analysis of cultural elements in the folktale, and the creativity and accuracy of their visual
representations or dramatizations. Additionally, evaluate their comprehension through
their responses to the comprehension questions.
Submitted by :
IMELDA G. GUARIN
MT-I, Subject Teacher
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