A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

Overview

Benito releases a large bird bound with strings in a forest. It gives its name as Sparrow-hawk and promises to help when called. Much later, when the king demands water from heaven and from the lower world, the exhausted boy remembers the promise and summons it. He ties a light bamboo cup to each leg, and the bird flies away for the day.

Returning at evening, the bird distinguishes the heavenly water on its right leg from the lower-world water on its left. The journey has exhausted it fatally; Benito waits, then buries his helper. The heavenly water subsequently restores and beautifies the princess, while the other water transforms the king into a dreadful creature that vanishes. The narrative names no modern bird species beyond Sparrow-hawk and gives no revival for the bird itself.

Grateful bird whose final flight supplies water from heaven and the lower worldSpecific 1916 narrative witness
01

Origins & earliest records

Philippines; Tagalog tale as presented by Cole

02

Records & interpretation

Complete The Story of Benito and its editorial note directly read.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

  1. 01

    Philippine Folk Tales

    Mabel Cook Cole, compiler and annotator · 1916

    Tagalog: The Story of Benito, pp. 189–195 and note 8

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

Primary records and illustrations

Direct primary record

Philippine Folk Tales

Tagalog; The Story of Benito. Tagalog: The Story of Benito, pp. 189–195 and note 8

Whole Benito story and note8 directly read. Helper deaths, two water origins and undescribed transformed creature retained without added anatomy. Editorial European-origin assertion attributed, not independently verified. Original paraphrase.

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References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

  1. Historical collection / primary recorded narrativeCole, Philippine Folk Tales (1916), Tagalog: The Story of Benito, pp. 189–195 and note 8Research access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

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