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Updated: May 1, 2025
Only that supernatural jinn could have whisked the infant from their midst; only Bal-Bal, with his demon body, sailing through the air on enormous wings, could have descended upon them so silently, so stealthily. Fearfully the wise men kept watch for the return of Bal-Bal, whose fateful visits were believed to come in pairs.
This hole soon closes, confining the spirit within. When death comes to a household in Moroland, have you not seen the master of the house mount to the roof and remain there through the night? Well, that is to prevent the evil spirit, Bal-Bal, from entering. The soul of this deceased never reaches heaven. Your charm, Piang, will ward him off." The boy sat, mouth open, eyes staring.
Not a leaf was stirring on the surrounding trees, but the mango rustled and trembled ominously. "See, Kali! I was right!" whispered Piang. No superstitious horror pervaded the hut where the four men watched, but in every other house Moros fell upon their faces, beseeching Allah to protect them from Bal-Bal. The capricious moon plunged into a shadowy cloud again.
"The barrio Bal-Bal!" gasped the exhausted old man. The night pressed upon them. Up the river darted Asin's slender banco with Kali Pandapatan and a few picked warriors. "Asin, we shall need you, and you, Piang," the chief had said, and the boy jumped into the boat.
Far behind they left the terrified, confused throng, preparing to embark, and soon the night swallowed up the little advance party, as it hurried toward the stricken barrio. A white mist rose from the water, obscuring the view; a damp breeze chilled the travelers, and they anxiously scanned the heavens for Bal-Bal, the terrible. Obstructions in the river were numerous and dangerous.
She must have fainted, for when she was able to scream for assistance, her baby was gone, and there were no tracks in the sand. The river was searched, but the crocodile pickets were intact; no monster from the river had broken through the barriers. The ominous whisper, "Bal-Bal," passed from lip to lip.
A light twinkled in the distance; confused sounds reached the rescuers, and they pushed forward with renewed energy. "Ooooh, Mihing!" called Asin, in his cracked, wavering voice. "Ooooh!" came the answer from the barrio. "Piang, we look to you to protect us from Bal-Bal, to you and your sacred anting-anting." Solemnly Kali Pandapatan made this announcement. The boy was the first to land.
Every available boat was filled with the merry throng, and the river sang a soft accompaniment to their chatter; pet monkeys, parrots, and mongoosen joined in the hubbub, and the din echoed through the forest, to be taken up by nature's wild children. Bal-Bal was forgotten, for the moment, by all except the bereaved parents, who had remained behind with the aged, to mourn their loss.
The aged populace had been too frightened to investigate and had hovered around the fire, afraid to venture beyond its circle of light. Asin had been despatched to notify the head of the tribe that Bal-Bal was hovering near. All eyes turned toward the charm boy. "La ilaha illa llahoe," softly prayed Piang, scrutinizing the frowning jungle, as it closed in on all sides.
"Kali Pandapatan," finally announced the boy, "it is given that we act as brave men. If it is Bal-Bal who has been swooping upon us, have no fear; he can come no more with Piang, the charm boy, prepared to meet him. If it is something else that is hovering near, we must go boldly forth and slay our enemy." A relieved sigh from the listeners greeted this speech.
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