A Mothers Tale

Reported by: Hazel Joy P. Dantes

Chapter 21: The Story Of A Mother

(Ang Kasaysayan Ng Isang Ina)
of Dr. Jose Rizals Noli Me Tangere

Sisa, shortened
form of Narcisa, is
the mother of the
two sacristans
Crispin and Basilio.

Character:

 Basilio -- the oldest son

of Sisa and is one of the
young sacristans of San
Diego.
Crispin -- the youngest
son of Sisa and was
also one of the
sacristans of the
convent in the town of
San Diego.

 Sisa played a major role in Chapters 16, 21, 39,

and 63 of Noli me Tangere. She had a pure heart
that carried no pretenses. She was a loving
mother who wanted to give her sons a filling
meal. She was disappointed when leftovers
remained after her husband ate dinner.

Sisa ran all the way home. She

desperately wants to save and protect her
sons from the danger that she feels is
coming. She came across the civil guards
and found out that Crispin was nowhere to
be found, and that Basilio had escaped.

The guards commanded Sisa to bring

out the friar's money which her sons had
stolen. When she cannot produce it they
arrested her. Sisa nearly died of shame
from the piercing stares of the people as
she was dragged across town. The Alferez
eventually released her, and she went
searching for her lost sons. Still, there was
no sign of them. Sisa became insane.