【赤い花が咲く木】伝説

【The Flame Tree Legend】

　This tragic story takes place in simpler times.When parents made all the family decisions and disputes were fierce and never forgotten.It began with two youngmen who felt each had been cheated by the other.For years they had nothing to do with each other.Even at mass they sat on opposite sides of the church.

　Over time，they married，raised their families but the bitterness grew.As fate would have it，one had a daughter and the other a son.These two fell in love but they knew it would cause trouble between their families.For the girl was a dutiful daugher who looked after her father and brothers.The boy was a good son whose family never lacked for food because he was an excellent fisherman.

　Secretly one night，they agreed to rendezvouis at the giant tree with white blossoms.They did not know her brothers knew of their plan and would be there to scare off the boy with their machetes.On her way there，a wild boar ran out of the jungle，goring her white mantilla as it charged.Luckily it ran on，but it spooked her brothers at the tree and they attacked it and then ran away.

　Coming to the tree before her，the boy found her mantilla torn and covered with blood.Thinking her brothers had killed him，she used his knife to kill herself.As a symbol of their love and the blood shed at its roots，the tree never again bloomed white but a vibrant red.