Narrated by Leopoldo Uichanco, a Tagalog from Calamba, La Laguna.  
“Why,” said Antonio to his grandfather one day, “does our thumb stand separate from the other fingers?”
 
“That is only so in our days,” replied old Julian. “In the days of long ago the fingers of our ancestors stood together in the same position. One day one of these fingers, the one we call the little finger, became very hungry, and he asked the finger next to him to give him some food.
 
“?‘O brother!’ said the Ring-Finger in reply, ‘I am hungry also; but where shall we get food?’
 
“?‘Heaven is merciful,’ put in the Middle-Finger, trying to comfort his two brothers; ‘Heaven will give us some.’
 
“?‘But, Brother Middle-Finger,’ protested the Forefinger, ‘what if Heaven gives us no food?’
 
“?‘Well, then,’ interposed the Thumb, ‘let us steal!’
 
“?‘Steal!’ echoed the Forefinger, not at all pleased by the advice that had just been given. ‘Mr. Thumb knows ............