LEVEL

A
The Origin of Rice

There was a time, many, many years

was nothing more to be hunted or gathered in a certain place, they would go to another region where there was plenty of food. Thus, they traveled from one place to another.
3

ago, when rice was not known to our people. At that time our ancestors lived on fruits, vegetables, birds, and wild animals which they caught while hunting in the mountains or the forests. Tilling the soil was still unknown. And poultry and hog was not yet a part of their way of living.
2

But our ancestors were proud,

thankful and happy. They were proud of the things they had their brown skin, the race to which they belonged, and the customs and traditions which they practiced. They were thankful to Bathala, their god. And they were happy in the manner of living which they led.

Because our people depended on the

food which nature provided and not what they themselves grew or raised, their stay in one place was only temporary. When there

On a typical day, the men could be

The

hunters

helped

in

the

seen going to the mountains or forests to hunt, while the women and small children could be seen busily engaged in such useful tasks as fishing and gathering of fruits and vegetables. After a days work, all wild animals that had been killed in the hunt and all fruits and vegetables that had been gathered, would be divided equally among all the group of families which made up the balangay.
5

preparation of the food. They butchered the deer and wild boar and then placed them one after another over the live coals.
8

In a short while, a servant of the

gods got some bamboos and placed them over the fire. The bamboos contained small, white kernels shaped like beads. Soon after, the cooked kernels were placed in saucershaped banana leaves. The table laden with roasted meat, cooked vegetables, and fresh fruits. Other bamboos were brought in and these contained what looked like pure water. The hunters soon learned that the crystallike substance was not water but rather, the wine of the gods.
9

One day, a group of hunters went

out to hunt deer. In their desire to have a good catch, they traveled far and wide until they reached the Cordillera Mountains. Having traveled so far, and feeling dead tired, they decided to take a rest under a big tree. It was nearing noon and all of them were hungry.
6

At first, the hunters were reluctant

in joining the feasts after seeing the small, white kernels.

10

While resting in the shade of the

tree, they saw, not far from where they were, a group of men and women whose features were quite different from those of ordinary mortals. The hunters realized that they were gods and goddesses who lived in that part of the mountain. All at once the hunters stood up and gave the deities due respect. The gods were glad of this gesture. In return, they invited the hunters to join them in their banquet.

We do not eat worms, the chief

hunter said.
11

The gods smiled. These white

bead-shaped kernels are not worms, replied one of the gods. They are cooked rice. They come from a certain kind of plant which we ourselves grow. Come and feast with us. After we have eaten, kill us if you find anything wrong from eating rice.

12

After hearing the gods words, the

with the gods. They were satisfied and

hunters did not argue anymore. They feasted happy, not because they were fed but because of the energy they felt after eating cooked rice. Their weak bodies became strong.
13

eating of cooked rice in their village. They taught their own people how to till the soil and plant it with palay. After many years, the practice of planting rice became

After the feast, the hunters thanked

widespread. Other balangays soon adopted the practice of planting rice.

16

the gods.
14

Before

leaving,

every

hunter

Since then rice became known to

received a sack of palay from the gods.

14

our people. And along with that tilling of the soil, our people also learned to raise animals and to construct permanent dwelling places.

This is palay, explained another

of the gods. Pound the palay, winnow and clean it very well. Wash the rice with water and place the washed rice between the internodes of the bamboo with enough water to be absorbed by the rice. Then place the bamboo over the fire until it is cooked. The sick will become strong and all of you will be satisfied after eating. Preserve some of the palay for your seedbed. Start planting during the rainy season. During the dry season, you can harvest the palay. Go now. Introduce the palay in your village and teach the people how to till the soil. You will progress and this will stop you from wandering from place to place.
15

Reference: The origin of rice. Retrieved from http://yoursandmine.us/mythology/the -origin-of-rice-philippine-legend/. September 1, 2012.

VOCABULARY Directions A. Below are meanings of word/s found in the story. Identify the word being described by the following word/s in each item. Refer to the paragraph number inside the parentheses.

After

thanking

the

gods,

the

hunters left for their village. They followed the advice of the gods. They introduced the

1. Not permanent (2) 2. Body of customs (3) 3. Relating to human beings (6) 4. Slaughtered (7) 5. Recommendation about action (15) 9. Feast (11) verb a. large meal b. religious celebration c. enjoy eating 10. Strong (15) adjective B. Below are words with paragraph numbers that can be found in the story. Choose the letter that best fits the meaning of the word based on how it is used in the story. Write the letter of the correct answer on your answer sheets. a. convincing b. healthy and strong c. contains much alcohol

COMPREHENSION 6. Hog (1) noun a. pig b. large motorcycle c. ships broom 7. Race (3) noun a. contest of speed b. group of humans c. journey 8. Engaged (4) verb a. involved in an activity b. soon to be married c. reserved 11. To whom were our ancestors thankful for their way of living? a. Animals b. Themselves c. Bathala Directions Read each item carefully then choose the letter of the correct answer from the given choices.

12. What did our ancestors eat before palay was introduced to them? a. meat and plants b. worms and insects c. humans and animals 13. Who hunted for the group? a. Males b. Females c. Both males and females 14. What were the ancestors supposed to be hunting before they met the gods? a. Lamb b. Boar

c.

They were too tired to eat.

17. What happened after the hunters eat the cooked rice? a. They vomited b. They fainted c. They became stronger 18. What happened before the hunters and the gods parted ways? a. The gods gave the hunters each a sack of palay and taught them how to plant and cook it. The gods were killed by the hunters. The hunters and the gods played basketball.

b.

c. c. Deer 15. Where did the encounter between the hunters and the gods take place? a. Jolo, Sulu

19. When should the palay be planted? a. During dry season b. During rainy season

b. Cordillera Mountains c. During noon time c. Boracay 16. Why were the hunters hesitant to eat the cooked rice at first? a. They thought it was not cooked well. They thought the rice grains were worms.

b.

20. Which of the following is not true? a. The hunters followed the advice of the gods and they planted rice. The use of rice became widespread after it was introduced. Since then, it became the reason why the people became weak and susceptible to diseases.

Directions Think of a word that when combined will form the given word. Find the word on the given choices below. Write your answer in the space provided. 1. model = _________ + __________ 2. pixel = _________ + __________ 3. brash = _________ + __________ 4. pang = _________ + __________ 5. clash = _________ + __________ a. clap, crash b. bold, rash c. pain, sting d. picture, element e. motor, delegate

b.

c.

LANGUAGE BUILDER ACTIVITY Blended words are words which are comprised of parts from two other words. Portmanteau is French for suitcase. Portmanteau words have two parts folded into one; much like the two parts of a suitcase fold into one unit. The words listed below contain some easily recognized blend words which are common enough, and youve probably used them without knowing they are portmanteau. bash = bang + smash because = by + cause bit = binary + digit cellophane = cellulose + diaphane electrocute = electronic + execute flare = flame + glare fortnight = fourteen + night hassle = haggle + tussle 21.

EVALUATION Directions Read the following questions and carefully answer each item in five to six sentences only.

Why do you think it is not enough just to eat meat and plant without eating rice?

22.

If you were our ancestors, would you be contented with eating fruits, vegetables and meat everyday? Why or why not? If you were the gods, would you also share rice to the hunters? Why or why not?

24.

If you were the hunters, would you eat the cooked rice even if you are not sure if it is safe to eat? Why or why not? Why do you think is rice important to Filipinos?

23.

25.

CREATIVE COMPREHENSION ACTIVITY Directions A. Write your informal thank-you letter to all the farmers in the world who make consumption of rice possible. Be as creative as possible.

PAINT ME A PICTURE Directions B. Show through a painting/ drawing on how important rice is to your life as a Filipino.

Congratulations! You made it! Prepared by: Macaraig, Dessa Luna