Once upon a time in Lanao, there was a prosperous kingdom, and its sight of scenery was something to behold – green fields, clear streams and blue hills. A great Datu ruled the kingdom, and she was kind-hearted, wise and brave that everyone did everything in their ability to make her happy in this beautiful kingdom.
There was enough food, the towns were clean, homes were neat, and there were no cockpits or gambling houses, for the men worked on the farms all day. The children were good, that there were no whips. Teachers did not have to think of how to get the children to learn and listen, but what lessons to teach them instead.
But the wicked cousin of the Datu desired her seat on the throne. So she schemed to find a way to dethrone the kind Datu.
Many suitors came for the Datu, but her response was always the same: “If I take one of you, the others will be angry. There will be war. I would rather remain single and have peace in my kingdom.”
The wicked cousin of the princess loved one of her suitors. So she schemed a plan. She told him, “The Datu loves you, but she cannot accept your love for her fear. Bring your army, slay your rivals and the Datu’s guards. Enter the city, and the Datu and the kingdom will be yours.” He listened to her and prepared his men to strike.
A magical bird, the Nori, overheard this terrible plan. She flew to the Datu and told the Datu what she heard, and finished with the warning, “Your cousin wants your crown and will not rest until she’s slain you and has this suitor for herself.”
The Datu’s heart was heavy with sorrow, and wept bitterly but showed her grief to no one. At night, she told her guard and servants to go outside of her nipa hut and leave her inside. They thought it was strange, but they trusted her and obeyed.
When they were gone, the Datu barricaded the hut with whatever could block the entrances and windows she could find. When she was done, she set her hut on fire. The fire quickly spread to other rooms. The people saw the flames and tried to rush in and put out the fire. But it was too late – the Datu perished in the flames of the hut.
The people mourned deeply over the death of their Datu, and built a lovely fence around her ashes. “We must honor her, who loved us so well,” they said.
One day, a strange plant appeared on the pile of ashes. It had long, wide leaves and a straight white trunk. A great tree grew in its place and a red, heart-shaped flower came out of its bosom.
“It is our queen, she’s come to life again.” The people said to one another.
The slender fruit that came out of the flower to be known as the banana. The people loved the banana as much as they loved their queen. It is said that the Gods turned the Datu’s wicked cousin into a monkey, so that is why monkeys covet the banana so much.