The Amazing Bulul: A Story of Epiphany

This fictional piece was inspired by a true story - or rather, a private joke among friends from my former workplace. There was an Ifugao-made stool that I brought to my office (that looked like a close relative of the bulul, the Ifugao rice guardian), that by chance, seemed to foreshadow certain career "moves" (or that which we call "discernment") of the people around it, including my own. I've long left the company but my "bulul" stool is still in the care of the friends I've left behind, hoping its "spell" would rub in on them, too.

There was once a young bulul who left its mountain home in search of a different road to take, much to the chagrin of its parents. While thinking of its fate, it lay on its stomach, elbows and knees on the ground, cupping its chin with its hands and pointing its feet to the sky. Traders who passed by saw the bulul and thought it made for a good piece of furniture so they took it to the city.


Years later, its parents got a letter in the mail. Fearing the worst but still hoping for good tidings, they read:

Dear Mom and Dad,

I'm writing from a faraway city and telling you first of all, not to worry. I'm doing great, and better yet, happy, for I think I've found my true calling.

Since I left our village, I was brought here and was sold as furniture. It was nice, for being sat on was also a noble thing to be. But still, it didn't feel quite right, for people had many chairs already, and I was too low to even be comfortable. I was then brought to a rather grey place. And it was there that I knew I will be put to good use. It seemed that whoever came near me had an epiphany of sorts and knew where they wanted to go. They have now left the grey place.

Word of my powers spread like wildfire and soon, other people started asking for me. I helped these people, too. Now, the rest of them are fighting over where I should stay so that they, too, could find "luck". There is also talk that I am moving to a different grey place altogether because another person needs me there. Watch out, I may just become world-renowned before you know it!

And while it is often joked about that I can also work a spell to get rid of certain undesirables (i.e., people), it is an unspoken understanding that my magic only works for those who want it. Besides, it's not that I'm making people leave, I just give them a little nudge to decide to move on and pursue their dreams, is all. Just like I did myself!

So, please don't be sad that I haven't followed in your footsteps. I'm very proud of you and your noble duty but this is what I am meant to do.

I'll always be grateful for your support.

With love,
B


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