An Analysis of Myth

Our ancestors have different ways of preserving and transferring culture, tradition and beliefs from one generation to another. Literature has always been a historical ally in the preservation of values and other aspects of society. Myths are one form of literary masterpieces that give explanation of the universe how the moon came to be, why stars shine at night, why volcanoes threw fire and stones, and a lot more.

Myths are very common to Greeks, Romans, Egyptians and Indians whose cultures and traditions have been greatly anchored on stories that tell the origin of things or the explanation of the unknown. Most myths are generally linked to religion why others are mere medium of emphasis for strengthening moral standards and universal values. Love, hate, anger, jealousy, friendship and heroism are just a few of the values which have been said to be origins of the things around us.

In the attempt to give explanations to the various mysteries of the world, our ancestors have made use of myths. This kind of oral tradition also covers the understanding of the human society, the environment and the natural processes that goes with it. For instance, the Greeks had anchored their tradition to their ultimate god Apollo whose endeavors have put into place the world and the society with a distinct set of standards. The adventurous stories of gods, men, warriors, goddesses and heroes have been used to shape human behavior and categorized it to either good or bad. Tragedies, triumphs, tales of honor, vengeance, and courtship are all spices to the oral tradition making it a colorful feature of the society.

The Myth of Adalio and Balenge ka abulru is one example of an oral tradition that aims to explain human behavior for man to be able to live in harmony with one another.  According to this myth, Adalio is a Five-Pacer which was hailed by fellow snakes as the King of the Ghost River. In his reign, he sought for the prettiest girl in the world to ask for marriage. He commanded all his constituents to look far and wide and find the most clever and prettiest lady who deserves to rule the Ghost Lake with him. It was a long time to wait but Adalio and his company had not seen even just one perfect option as a wife for the king.

Not so far away though, one subordinate spoke the good news of dining one potential lady in the tribe of Dadolu. Balenge ka abulru is the princess of this human tribe located on the other side of the steep mountain range. Adalio did not hesitate to seek for the girl alone. The next morning, he went to see Balenge ka abulru and made friends with her. Their friendship grew more intimate each day until the parents of Balenge ka abulru had known it. They requested for Adalio to meet with them and reveal his intentions to their daughter. Adalio, being true and sincere of his intentions, gathered all his courage and faced the tribe leaders. Upon seeing how big a snake is Adalio, the parents immediately expressed their disagreement of the relationship. They argued further that a snake and a human being could never live in harmony because of physical differences. Adalio and Balenge ka abulru fought for their love until the princess father asked the Snake King to undergo a quest. Adalio was asked to look for the Mukaikais tears which were turned into very precious and legendary stone called the palichchi Mulimulhi-than lazurite. He spent five long years of voyage against nature and fate realizing how the princess is really important in his life. His victory in the challenge would prove his purity and love for their daughter. Adalio was very eager and willing. He went far and wide from one battle and adventure to another until he ended triumphant. He went back to Balenge ka abulru and had her hand in marriage.

The above chosen story is an example of how societies came be as they are now. The hailing of Adalio as a king reflects the societys need for a ruler to make things in order and to achieve peace. The Ghost Lake with hundreds of snakes needs to put one leader in order for them to thrive. On the other hand, the story also indicated the need for a family as Adalio, the snake king, did all his best to seek for that woman fit to become his wife. The tribe for which Balenge ka abulru belonged is a real image of how societies should work together to thrive just the same as the snake community. Men and women in the village all wake up early together and nourish the soil with rich crops for a much-awaited harvest of the year. This myth was able to show how a system and an order could put things in one unifying goal  survival.

It will be better to put that this kind of myth is a saga because it provides a long tale beginning from Adalios quest for the woman for his wife, his own lone journey to meet the woman in person, his relationship with Balenge ka abulru, five long years of challenge to win the test in exchange of Balenge ka abulru hand and his pursuit for his own happiness. The saga of
Adalio is a generous oral masterpiece that embodied most of quality human values and behavior even if he is not human at all.

On the other hand, the story may have used a few etiological elements in the portions when the human mother Mukaikais tears has turned into precious legend of the palichchi Mulimulhi-than lazurite which became a symbol of heroism and pride for the entire human tribe.

The story may not be completely peculiar as there have been a lot of stories that pursued the hearts happiness and contentment. What is something unique with this mythical saga is the fact that snakes and human beings are united in the name of love. A lot of traditional mythical stories have made used of animals in order to depict natures assistance of honing the human behavior. Adalio, the snake king, lived beyond discrimination and ridicule of the human tribe in which Balenge ka abulru belonged. He sought for his goal even with the rest of the world is against it. On the other hand, Balenge ka abulru, was featured as a person who looks beyond the beauty of the face. Indeed, she looked at Adalio with her heart because she saw the goodness and genuineness of love. Much more, he saw the big snake as a handsome man with pure intentions of her. The story is a source of a human behavior worthy of emulation. The main characters Adalio and Balenge ka abulru were posed with universal attitudes of love, fair judgment and courage. The snake made the human king and the entire tribe to realize that love transcends great barriers like unpleasant physical appearance just to be fulfilled. King Adalio is representative of humility as he accepted his inferiority against the human race. Moreover, it indicated how love could make the universe turn into a peaceful and colorful world.

The following lines from the mythical saga proves further how the world could be one despite race, color, gender and other societal barriers

Soon after, everyone in Rukai Tribe heard about this news and everyone was eager to see the weeding. The soft white snow melts when warm air starts breezing again in spring, the water as clear as glass slowly flows and small light green things spread every corner on the sight. The animals open sleepy eyes and walk around to feed their youngsters. The warmness brings every living life back to trails, all color programs get on stages and everyone seems enjoy full-color shows around them in the summer.

Adalios adventure for five years to cruise along oceans and coasts just to find the ever-precious palichchi Mulimulhi-than lazurite as a sign of his love for the princess was no ordinary portion of a myth. Many heroes in the past have been featured to have conquered the skies, the heavens, the underwater and even hell to prove their courage and strength.

Indeed, myths are crafted to emphasize how human life should be lived in order to achieve consistency with the natural world. The advent of technological breakthroughs might put this oral tradition into something of reduced values but then again, the impeccable color of literature will forever reign in the hearts of those who have heard and read stories of life and survival in the forms of mythical sagas.

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