Kapre

Lola's story

Outside our building there's a big old tree, and in my stories a kapre lives in it: a giant so tall his feet dangle over the street, with leaves and fireflies tangled in his long beard. When Kuya was little and very shy, he read his books by the window, and the kapre leaned closer to listen.

"Why is he up there all alone?" Kuya asked me.

"Because everybody is too scared to say hello," I said. "Even giants get lonely."

So one evening Kuya opened his window and read a story out loud, just loud enough for the tree to hear. The fireflies in the branches glowed a little brighter. The next night he read another one. By the end of the summer, the biggest neighbor on our street was also Kuya's best listener.

What people say

In Filipino folklore, the kapre is a huge, hairy giant who lives in big trees. People say you can tell one is near if you see little sparks glowing in the branches. Some stories say he plays tricks, like making travelers walk in circles. Others say he's a protector of his tree.

People say a kapre sits in big old trees like the balete, the acacia and the mango, swinging his huge feet. He can hide from anyone, so only the people he chooses as friends can see him, and some stories say he may give a friend a small white stone. He is mostly harmless, and in many stories he is more lonely than scary.

How to stay safe

Be respectful near big old trees. Don't break their branches, and say "tabi tabi po" ("excuse me, may I pass?") when you walk by.