Hahaha....one "carabao mood" was when we four cousins (6 to 8 yrs old.) were playing "horsey horsey" on the carabao's back. It reckoned, maybe, it was different from what horse we knew (in Manila where we grew up, there were no carabaos but horses on calesas). The beast kept walking wishing one would at least decide (to pester ) the goats instead. The carabao's back was like a giant cinema seat, so we enjoyed making fun on it. I was at the far end near the tail, facing its back. Then I noticed a "very soft mound" where some fermented-looking black grass was oozing from. I was the most curious...so guess what? When I touched that thing, in an impulse, it shook me out (yanked me out) of its back and I fell on the ground, nose first.
. So, I lost my Spanish-definitive feature
Carabaos would show its temper through its eyes, as it can't really move quick since its skin is so tight. It would just look like this
. It would think of hitting you with its horn sometimes, but decide not to (because it is so kind). Grandpa would shout at him all other curses I don't hear at home
, especially when the beast would go the other way, not to the old man's direction. Lots more of carabao stories...but let me remember them one by one.
Oh, Hill, I have been wishing to write my stories about childhood and province life. I think I'd start writing at Christmas vacation. Bits and pieces like these would eventually become good readings for my growing children. Philippine life is filled with treasured expriences. Older people just have to chronicle their past for the next generations
.
