The Earth-Healers

By Cyan Abad-Jugo

Since Mang Gorio’s cow has turned white, things have turned a little topsy-turvy for Jopi. Suddenly he can talk to a cow and a rat, as well as to strange creatures in the trees and under the ground. Something is amiss in Molles Village, and only Jopi seems to know it has to do with the Mayor and his new drill. Will Jopi know what to do in time to save his village from the dangers he—and only he—has been warned about?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anvil Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9786214200597

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Mang Gorio’s Cow

S omething was happening to Mang Gorio’s cow. Every day, more of its brown fur turned white.

It’s beginning to grow old like me, said Mang Gorio, pointing to the few strands of white on his otherwise smooth head.

I hope it’s not growing bald like you, too, teased Aling Dalia, as her son Jopi gave his uncle a share of their homegrown pechay, gabi, ampalaya, and tomatoes.

As Mang Gorio turned from their door, Jopi called, Tio, may I look at your cow later?

Mang Gorio didn’t hear him. Just then three short explosions rang in the next mountain, the booming sound echoing all around them. Birds startled out of trees in all sorts of directions, and the chickens squawked. Work at the mines always began with the mayor’s drill gunning awake.

I wouldn’t go near that cow if I were you, Jopi. For all you know, it has some kind of strange, infectious disease. Or … or, Aling Dalia gulped, crossing herself, it could be under some kind of enchantment.

Jopi shook his head, but he took care to do it as he slipped out of the house. Now that it was summer, he had to help his mother with the morning’s errands, beginning with drawing water from the village well. Then it was weeding and watering their vegetable patch, sweeping out the yard, and putting up newly washed clothes strung on a line between their two mango trees.

At lunch time there was nilaga, cooked by Eddie, a giant of a man who helped out in many houses around Molles Village. Eddie watched as Jopi gulped down soup and gobbled up meat and rice all dumped together in one bowl. Then, as Jopi wiped his mouth, Eddie said, "When you see the cow, wait for all its hair to turn white. Then, make sure you touch her on the forehead, right between the eyes. Use your point