e other old man was, he said, "I want to
buy your father, the old man." Juan had scarcely got the sentence out
of his mouth when the son of the old man fell on him with a whip and
drove him away. Juan went running to his father, and said, "Father,
I only said that I wanted to buy their father, but they began to whip
me. Why did they do that?"

"You see," said the old man, "you can buy a wife with money, but not
a single father can you buy."

Compare this last story with No. 31.

TALE 35

COCHINANGO.

Narrated by Felix Y. Velasco, who heard the story from his grandmother,
a native of Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

Once upon a time there lived in a small village on the border of a
powerful kingdom a poor farmer, who had a son. This son was called a
fool by many; but a palmer predicted that Cochinango would some day
dine with the king, kiss the princess, marry her, and finally would
himself be king.

Cochinango wondered how he could ever marry the princess and himself
be king, for he was very poor. One day he heard that the king had
summoned all those who would like to attempt to answer the questions
of the princess. It was announced that the person who could answer
them all without fall should marry her. Cochinango thought that the
time had now come for him to try his fortune, so he mounted his ass
and rode towards the king's palace.

On his way Cochinango had to pass through a wide forest. Just at the
edge of the wood he met a weary traveller. Cochinango had forgotten
to bring buyo with him, so he asked the traveller for some. The
traveller said, "I have with me a magic buyo that will answer any
question you put to it. If you give me some food, I will give you my
buyo." Cochinango willingly exchanged a part of his provisions for
it. Then he rode on.

He came to a stream, where he met an old man leaning on his
cane. Seeing that the old man wanted to get on the other side, but was
too weak to swim, Cochinango offered to carry him across. In return
for his kindness, the old man gave him his cane. "You are very kind,
young man," said he. "Take this cane, which will furnish you with
food at any time." Cochinango thanked the old man, took the cane,
and rode on. It is to be known that this old man was the same one
who had given him the magic buyo. It was God himself, who had come
down on earth to test Cochinango and to reward him for his kindness.

Cochinango had not ridden far when he met a wretched old woman. O