|
很多很多年以前，一群菲律宾人一大早离开了山谷中的小村庄，往山上走去。他们是去猎鹿的，每一个人都带着长矛和斧子，还有一个人牵了一群猎狗。这些狗拴在一根皮带上，个个瘦削精悍，都没有喂饱，所以急于追赶猎物。 沿着山坡走了一程，半途中放开了狗,猎人们也四下里散开，去寻找猎物。不久，一条狗狂吠起来,人们纷纷朝狗叫的方向涌来，都以为狗一定是发现鹿了。但走近看时，那个东西不像是鹿，再近一点，他们惊奇地发现那是一口大罐子。 人们都很好奇，纷纷围上来看，但每当他们往前一步，罐子也往前逃去。他们追得越来越紧，但那罐子在前面时隐时现，人们怎么也追不上。他们就往前跑啊，跑啊，最后累得筋疲力尽，只好在一座树木葱郁的小山上坐下来休息。猎人们从绑在皮带上的铜箱里取出槟榔，想吃一些恢复体力。 他们一边讨论着那口神奇的罐子和它的魔力，一边慢慢地切开槟榔，把槟榔子包进酸橙和树叶里准备吃。还没有把诱人的槟榔子送入口中，他们突然惊呆了，因为有人在对他们轻声讲话，声音怪怪的，听起来离他们很近。猎人们看看四周，侧耳倾听，却没有发现一个人。 “找一头没产过幼仔的猪，"那个声音说，“取出它的血，然后你们就能追上那口猎狗穷追不舍的罐子了。” 人们这才知道那神奇的罐子是某位神灵的宝物，于是马上行动，按照那个声音的指点，取来了猪血。猎狗又一次狂吠着追赶那口罐子。猎人们想扑上去抓住罐子，但它突然掉进地上的一个洞穴里，不见了。他们跟上去,来到了一个幽暗的洞穴里。猎人们很容易就抓住了罐子，因为这个洞穴除了这个洞口再没有别的出口。 尽管很多年过去了，这口罐子至今还活着，甚至还会讲话，他的名字叫马格萨韦。但若干年以前，他的一侧出现了裂纹，从那以后,菲律宾人就听不懂他的语言了。 有时候马格萨韦独自旅行很远去见他的妻子，她是一口北伊罗格省的罐子;或是去圣金廷角，那里有他的孩子，一口小罐;但他总是会回到多眉科，活动在那个洞穴旁的山坡上。 Magsawi A great many years ago some Tinguian left their little village in the valley early one morning and made their way toward the mountains. They were off on a deer hunt, and each carried his spear and head-ax, while one held in leash a string of lean dogs eager for the chase. Part way up the mountainside the dogs were freed, and the men separated, going different ways in search of game. But before long the sharp barking of a dog called all in his direction, for they believed that he had a deer at bay. As they approached the spot, however, the object did not look like a deer, and as they drew nearer they were surprised to find that it was a large jar. Filled with curiosity they pressed on, but the jar evaded them. Faster and faster they ran, but the object, disappearing at times and then coming into view again, always escaped them. On and on they went until at last, tired out, they sat down on a wooded hill to rest and to refresh themselves with betel-nut which they took from brass boxes attached to their belts. As they slowly cut the nuts and wrapped them in the lime and leaf ready for chewing, they talked of nothing but the wonderful jar and the mysterious power it possessed. Then just as they were about to put the tempting morsels into their mouths they stopped, startled by a strange soft voice which seemed to be near them. They turned and listened, but could see no person. “Find a pig which has no young,” said the voice, “and take its blood, for then you will be able to catch the jar which your dog pursued.” The men knew then that the mysterious jar belonged to a spirit, so they hastened to do as the voice commanded, and when they had secured the blood the dog again brought the jar to bay. The hunters tried to seize it, but it entered a hole in the ground and disappeared. They followed, and found themselves in a dark cave where it was easy to catch the jar, for there was no outlet save by the hole through which they had entered. Though that was many years ago, the jar still lives, and his name is Magsawi. Even now he talks； but some years ago a crack appeared in his side, and since then his language has not been understood by the Tinguian. Sometimes Magsawi goes on long journeys alone when he visits his wife, a jar in I locos Norte, or his child, a small jar in San Quintin； but he always returns to Domayco on the hillside near the cave. |
