This legend tells us about the origin of the touch-me-not (mimosa pudica) plant.
The legend of Makahiya
There was once a girl called Maria,a very shy girl,who lived with her parents, Aling Iska and Mang Dondong,in a small village. Maria loved to stay in her garden,which was renowned for its lovely flowers. One day,bandits raided the village,and fearing for her life, Maria’s parents hid her in the garden. While Aling Iska was praying to God for her daughter's safety, the bandits broke into the house and hit Maria’s Parents on the head. After stealing things in the house, the bandits went.
When Maria’s Parents stayed in consciousness, they ran to the garden to look for Maria,but could not find her. They searched everywhere and started to despair,when something pricked Mang Dondong’s feet. Both of them looked closer at the tiny plant closing its leaves. At that moment they realised,that their shy Maria has been transformed by the gods into the plant.They named the plant -Makahiya (Tagalog for shyness) and took immense care of it.
The makahiya plant
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