The Origin of Dewdrops

According to a Folk story from Ilocos, there was a time long ago, when there 
were no dewdrops.  Leaves were never wet in early mornings except when it rained 
the night before.  The following legend explains the dew as tears from a 
heartbroken maid:
	
In the old, old days there lived a prince beloved by his people.  Dashing and 
gallant, he epitomized the ideal of young manhood.  His name was a by-word even 
in realms beyond his father’s kingdom, and princesses vied with one another in 
winning his attention.  To all of them he was pleasant and charming, but he 
loved only one maiden.  She was Lin-na-aw, lovely and unaffected, but alas!  She 
was but a fisherman’s daughter.  Her pure heart and winning ways melted the 
king’s opposition to the match, and the wedding was set for the coming full 
moon.

A princess in a neighboring kingdom heard of the prince’s impending marriage.  
She intended to marry him herself; she must act quickly before it was too late.  
She dispatched a courier to the prince saying that she needed his help urgently 
for she was in distress.  Always gallant, the prince rushed to her palace.  He 
found her dressed in the most seductive robes, languidly waiting for him.

“Oh my prince!” she gushed in welcome.  “But first you must take something to 
drink after that journey.”  She motioned to a slave who brought in a jar of basi 
(1).

The unwary prince welcomed the proffered drink, not knowing that it was mixed 
with a love potion.  Soon he was making ardent love to the princess.  He tarried 
in the palace, and for the nonce forgot poor Lin-na-aw.  When the full moon 
came, he found himself married, instead, to the scheming princess.

One evening, the prince lay awake and listless.  He went out to the garden where 
he thought he could sleep in the fresh night air.  Alone for the first time 
since he came under the Princess’ spell, he fell to thinking of Lin-na-aw.  He 
thought he saw her gentle face; she was looking at him in sadness.  There was no 
reproach in her eyes, there was only sorrow.  Tears blurred her gaze and rolled 
down her cheeks.  For a long time he lay rigid and helpless while he watched her 
weep wordlessly.  No longer able to contain his anguish, he reached for the 
weeping face and cried, “Lin-na-aw?  She had vanished, but the blades of grass 
glistened with droplets which surely must have been her tears!

From then on, leaves and blades of grass are moist with dew every morning.

(1) Ilocano sugar cane wine
The Myths: Philippine Folk Literature by Damiana L. Eugenio 
Published by the University of the Philippines Press, 2001, Paperback, 513 
pages. University of the Philippines Press, E. de los Santos St. university of 
the Philippines campus; +632 928 2558.  www.press.up.edu.ph; e-mail: 
up.press@gmail.com