The Legend of the Flower Sampaguita, a.k.a. Philippine Jasmine (Original translation of Filipino fiction)

                                             The Legend of the Flower Sampaguita

Once upon a time, there was a very beautiful garden in Eden. There's a  diversity of plants that were found in its garden. Every flower here has each own inherent fragrance and beauty. 

Despite all these wonders, there is one plant distinct to all. It has no scent and sense of beauty at all, this is the Sampaguita.

Sampaguita became an object of teasing because it has no worth and it's useless, it also has no flowers at all that should give color to it. Those kind of flowers that has fragrance in them.

"Hey, Sampaguita! You don't belong here and you're not supposed to be here. You're so ugly. Look at me, many are fond of me because of my beauty and color. I can relieve loneliness." Ridiculed yell from Hibiscus or Gumamela.

"I must be the one you should sniff, my sweet smell and savory fragrance, I'm even offered to Our Lady during Flores de Mayo or Sacred Cross. I am also prepared into a beautiful necklace for the Mother of Perpetual Help. I am often kissed by men," says a Wildflower.

"And I, I am the symbol of love. I am the amusement of the displeasure or angry people. I am also offered to the sick and somehow heal their sufferings." the Rose said.

Because of what Sampaguita heard, the plant became more depressed. It pities itself. Sampaguita can't help but weep until the old guardian of all the plants heard its crying and approached the poor plant.

"Why are you crying, Sampaguita plant?" the sympathized question of the old guardian.

Sampaguita was mum, can't utter any words and just bowed its head.

"Don't mind that Sampaguita" said the Gumamela. "Come here and sweep my dried leaves below. I always need to be clean so people will come to me."

"Once you are done with Gumamela, you also need to sweep my surroundings. Many people will come to me because today's the day  Romeo and Juliet will visit," said the Rose.

The old guardian followed the orders of the two plants. After she was done cleaning the two, she went back to Sampaguita.

"Why is it that in this garden I am the only one who doesn't have beauty and fragrant flowers?" The Sampaguita lamented.

Sampaguita got surprised when suddenly the appearance of the old guardian changed. She was a stunning Goddess.

"I am the Goddess of flowers. Do not despair because of your humility I will grant you flowers with incomparable fragrance and beauty.." Said the Goddess.

Since then, the oppression of its fellow plants has stopped and Sampaguita became very happy with its life.

At the present time, the Sampaguita is use in almost all occasions and because of its unique smell, the so-called Sampaguita  is the national flower of the Philippines.

This story was translated into English from our local Filipino language.     

Image Source: [1] [2]

Tagalog Folklore Reference: [1] 

Please also check the Legend of Tamarind

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