
On the far side of the Pacific, the Philippines archipelago teems with diverse tribes, each with its own customs yet bound together by a shared heritage. In the heart of Luzon lives Alila, a spirited brown‑skinned boy whose curious eyes seem to take in the world at once. From his first breath, his family surrounds him with age‑old rituals—his father’s vigilant watch against wandering spirits, a woven palm‑leaf mat for his cradle, and the gentle scent of his mother’s love.
As Alila grows, listeners are invited to wander through bustling villages, shade‑loving cacao groves, and the rhythm of daily life that blends the ancient with the new. Through vivid storytelling and lively illustrations, the tale offers a window into the island’s traditions, the warmth of its people, and the boundless energy of a child discovering his place in a world both familiar and wonderfully strange.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (85K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Emmy, Beth Baran and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2013-10-05
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1860–1936
Best known for writing many early-20th-century books for children, this American author introduced young readers to faraway places, everyday life in other cultures, and key moments in U.S. history. Her work was especially prolific and helped shape the popular "Our Little Cousin" series.
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