Black Horse

The Monkey and the Turtle

In short: Read how a banana tree becomes a dispute in a Monkey and Turtle fable recorded in the Philippines.

The Monkey and the Turtle · Monkey and turtle outwit each other FAIRY TALE ATLAS · № 26 The Monkey and the Turtle Read how a banana tree becomes a dispute in a Monkey and Turtle fable recorded in the Philippines. Origin Tinguian and Ilocano versions in the Philippines. Related tales occur in nearby regions. Atlas record 1915 First appearance Exact date unknown SIGNATURE MOTIF Monkey and turtle outwit each other Reach¹ 1/10 Suggested age² 8+ Member rating No votes yet 2 records · 1 countries or regions blackhorsestories.com

¹ Based on the number of Atlas countries, capped at 10. ² Editorial suggestion for reading this page. Discover Black Horse’s question

Origin and tradition

Tinguian and Ilocano versions in the Philippines. Related tales occur in nearby regions.

In the Tinguian telling, Turtle plants his banana in the ground while Monkey hangs his in a tree. Turtle cannot climb the tree that bears fruit and asks for help. Once Monkey is up there, he keeps the fruit for himself. What one can grow and the other can reach brings them together, then puts them at odds.

Dated records and sources

  1. 1915 · Luzon, Philippines
    Fay-Cooper Cole · Traditions of the Tinguian, 77
  2. 1916 · Luzon, Philippines
    Mabel Cook Cole · Philippine Folk Tales · Ilocano

Country pages

Fairy Tale Glossary

Origin
Black Horse. The Monkey and the Turtle. https://blackhorsestories.com/en/atlas-tale-monkey-turtle/