LAIAMON AND CROCODILE
By Endang Firdaus
Laiamon was the daughter of Dayak chief. One day, she went to the river to take a bath. She was swimming when a crocodile held her leg.
“Oh, please don’t eat me!” cried Laiamon.
“Hohoho!” laughed the crocodile. “I won’t let you go. I like eating pretty girls very much.”
Laiamon was a clever girl. She then said, “My father is a chief. He is a rich man. He will give you anything you want if you free me.”
“Is it right?” asked the crocodile.
“Yes.”
“Ok,” said the crocodile. “Tell your father to give me a baby to eat every day.”
The crocodile let Laiamon go. Quickly Laiamon swam to the river bank and went home. She told what she had experienced to her father. Her father then called his people to discuss about the crocodile had asked.
The next day, the chief and his people went to the river. They brought a pig for the crocodile.
“Good morning, Crocodile,” said the chief.
“Do you bring a baby for me?” asked the crocodile.
“We have no babies in the village,” said the chief. “We can only give you a pig this time.”
“Don’t lie to me!”
“Of course not. Later if there is a baby in the village, we will bring it to you. Now, please take this pig.”
“All right.”
The chief threw the pig into the river. The crocodile quickly ate the pig. “Hmm, it’s very delicious!” said the crocodile. Not long after that, this creature’s stomach ached. It moaned and groaned. Then it died.
“Father, how did you kill the crocodile?” asked Laiamon.
“We have filled the pig with poison,” said the chief. “This creature had killed many people. I’m proud of you, Laiamon. You could get away from the crocodile. Remember my daughter, if you are brave, you can beat evil things.”
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
A Folktale from China
BEAUTIFUL FIRE
By Endang Firdaus
Long ago, in China, there lived a smart boy named Ming. “Mother, when can I go to school like my old brother?” he said to his mother. He got jealous if his old brother went to school.
“You’ll go to school if you’re enough old,” Ming’s mother answered. But Ming did not want to wait for. One day he went to Mr Hung’s school. Mr Hung was a wise man and the king liked him very much. He accepted smart children only to become his students.
Ming gave a salute to Mr Hung. He said, “Teacher, please accept me to be your student.”
Smiling, Mr Hung looked at Ming. “Come here next year,” he said and closed the gate of his school.
Everyday Ming came to Mr Hung to ask him to be his student. At last Mr Hung said, “I’ll accept you as my student if you can find what ‘Beautiful Fire’ is. Go home now. Look for the answer.”
Happily, Ming went home. It was nearly dark. Ming saw a torch lighting his yard. “It’s ‘Beautiful Fire’. One torch can light the wide yard,” thought Ming. “Tomorrow I’ll take it to Mr Hung.”
When Ming woke up in the morning, the torch was extinguished. He cried. His father laughed at him. He said, “Ming, the torch isn’t needed in the day-time. His job is replaced by the sun.”
Ming went to the kitchen. He saw fire there. The color of fire was blue, yellow, and red. Ming’s mother was grilling some fish on it. When she added some firewood to it, fire became big. “This is ‘Beautiful Fire’,” thought Ming. “It can cook our food and boil water.”
Ming went to Mr Hung’s school. He wanted to report ‘Beautiful Fire’ he found. “It is not ‘Beautiful Fire’,” said Mr Hung.
Night came. Ming’s father took fire to make warm the living room. Ming came to fire. It was like fire in the kitchen. Ming took out firewood from fire and made fire extinguished. The room became cool. Ming’s father was angry. Ming put firewood into fire. But, he put too many firewood into it. It made the room too hot. Ming’s father was very angry.
Ming went to Mr Hung’s School. “’Beautiful Fire’ is fire in our living room. It can make us warm,” he said.
“Hahaha!” Mr Hung laughed. “Ming, Ming, it’s only the usefulness of fire. It is not ‘Beautiful Fire’.”
Ming was very very disappoint. He went home. Arriving there he came into his room. He saw a candle lighting there. The candle’s fire lighted the room. “This is ‘Beautiful Fire’,” thought Ming, looking at his shadow on the wall. Quickly Ming took the candle to Mr Hung. But, on the way, the candle’s fire was extinguished. Ming was so sad.
Ming’s misery was not long. He was interested when he heard the sounds coming from people at the side of the street. “The King will pass here!” they shouted. “He’ll come to Mr Hung’s birthday.”
Fireworks were flamed to welcome the King. A big firework flew high to the air and burst beautifully. Ming looked up. Instantly, he knew that he found the answer. Soon he went into the King and his men passing. The King’s men got angry. “Catch the boy!” they shouted. Ming run very fast. He came to Mr Hung who was standing at the gate of his school to welcome the King.
Ming gave a salute to Mr Hung. In a hurry he said, “Teacher, I have found the answer! It’s there!”
Ming pointed to the sky.
Mr Hung looked up.
A firework burst beautifully in the night sky. Ming said, “Firework! It’s ‘Beautiful Fire’, Teacher!”
Happily Mr Hung laughed. He really admired to Ming who was smart and never stopped to get his want. He said, “You’re right. But your answer is not really right. The right answer is the fire of spirit. It’s the most beautiful fire in the world. And you have it in your heart.” Mr Hung pointed to Ming’s breast. He continued, “By your spirit, you’ll conquer every dangerous you’ll get. Welcome to my school, boy! I accept you to be my student!” He then open the gate of his school wide and asked Ming come into before the King.
By Endang Firdaus
Long ago, in China, there lived a smart boy named Ming. “Mother, when can I go to school like my old brother?” he said to his mother. He got jealous if his old brother went to school.
“You’ll go to school if you’re enough old,” Ming’s mother answered. But Ming did not want to wait for. One day he went to Mr Hung’s school. Mr Hung was a wise man and the king liked him very much. He accepted smart children only to become his students.
Ming gave a salute to Mr Hung. He said, “Teacher, please accept me to be your student.”
Smiling, Mr Hung looked at Ming. “Come here next year,” he said and closed the gate of his school.
Everyday Ming came to Mr Hung to ask him to be his student. At last Mr Hung said, “I’ll accept you as my student if you can find what ‘Beautiful Fire’ is. Go home now. Look for the answer.”
Happily, Ming went home. It was nearly dark. Ming saw a torch lighting his yard. “It’s ‘Beautiful Fire’. One torch can light the wide yard,” thought Ming. “Tomorrow I’ll take it to Mr Hung.”
When Ming woke up in the morning, the torch was extinguished. He cried. His father laughed at him. He said, “Ming, the torch isn’t needed in the day-time. His job is replaced by the sun.”
Ming went to the kitchen. He saw fire there. The color of fire was blue, yellow, and red. Ming’s mother was grilling some fish on it. When she added some firewood to it, fire became big. “This is ‘Beautiful Fire’,” thought Ming. “It can cook our food and boil water.”
Ming went to Mr Hung’s school. He wanted to report ‘Beautiful Fire’ he found. “It is not ‘Beautiful Fire’,” said Mr Hung.
Night came. Ming’s father took fire to make warm the living room. Ming came to fire. It was like fire in the kitchen. Ming took out firewood from fire and made fire extinguished. The room became cool. Ming’s father was angry. Ming put firewood into fire. But, he put too many firewood into it. It made the room too hot. Ming’s father was very angry.
Ming went to Mr Hung’s School. “’Beautiful Fire’ is fire in our living room. It can make us warm,” he said.
“Hahaha!” Mr Hung laughed. “Ming, Ming, it’s only the usefulness of fire. It is not ‘Beautiful Fire’.”
Ming was very very disappoint. He went home. Arriving there he came into his room. He saw a candle lighting there. The candle’s fire lighted the room. “This is ‘Beautiful Fire’,” thought Ming, looking at his shadow on the wall. Quickly Ming took the candle to Mr Hung. But, on the way, the candle’s fire was extinguished. Ming was so sad.
Ming’s misery was not long. He was interested when he heard the sounds coming from people at the side of the street. “The King will pass here!” they shouted. “He’ll come to Mr Hung’s birthday.”
Fireworks were flamed to welcome the King. A big firework flew high to the air and burst beautifully. Ming looked up. Instantly, he knew that he found the answer. Soon he went into the King and his men passing. The King’s men got angry. “Catch the boy!” they shouted. Ming run very fast. He came to Mr Hung who was standing at the gate of his school to welcome the King.
Ming gave a salute to Mr Hung. In a hurry he said, “Teacher, I have found the answer! It’s there!”
Ming pointed to the sky.
Mr Hung looked up.
A firework burst beautifully in the night sky. Ming said, “Firework! It’s ‘Beautiful Fire’, Teacher!”
Happily Mr Hung laughed. He really admired to Ming who was smart and never stopped to get his want. He said, “You’re right. But your answer is not really right. The right answer is the fire of spirit. It’s the most beautiful fire in the world. And you have it in your heart.” Mr Hung pointed to Ming’s breast. He continued, “By your spirit, you’ll conquer every dangerous you’ll get. Welcome to my school, boy! I accept you to be my student!” He then open the gate of his school wide and asked Ming come into before the King.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Dongeng dari Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam
PANGLIMA SEKUNCA
Oleh Endang Firdaus
Di Tamiang Aceh, dulu, ada sebuah kerajaan. Kerajaan itu diperintah oleh seorang raja nan bijak. Raja telah menikah lama dengan permaisurinya, namun belum juga dikaruniai anak.
Suatu hari, Raja berkata pada Permaisuri, “Kalau saja Yang Mahakuasa memberi kita seorang putri, aku akan memberikannya pada Raja Gajah.” Tak lama setelah itu, Permaisuri mengandung dan melahirkan seorang bayi perempuan cantik. Raja amat menyayangi putrinya itu dan lupa akan janjinya.
Saat sang Putri berumur empat puluh empat hari, Raja mengadakan pesta untuknya. Di penghujung acara, tiba-tiba segerombolan gajah datang dan membawa pergi sang Putri.
Permaisuri sangat sedih dengan kejadian itu. Raja memerintahkan pasukannya melakukan pencarian. Hutan-hutan mereka masuki. Namun, sang Putri tak juga ditemukan.
Tujuh belas tahun berlalu. Raja akhirnya membuat sayembara. Isinya: Yang dapat menemukan sang Putri dan dapat membawanya pulang dengan selamat dari tangan Raja Gajah akan dijadikan sebagai suaminya dan akan diangkat menjadi raja baru menggantikannya.
Para ksatria mencoba mengikuti sayembara itu, tetapi tak seorang pun berhasil. Suatu hari, Panglima Sekunca dan seorang pemuda tampan memasuki hutan untuk mencari sang Putri.
Panglima Sekunca yang hebat dan tangguh sangat memandang rendah pada si Pemuda. “Anak muda, berani sekali kau ikut sayembara ini. Apakah kau mampu melawan Raja Gajah?”
“Saya akan mencobanya,” sahut si Pemuda.
Mereka terus memasuki hutan. Mereka kemudian menemukan banyak pohon tumbang dan melihat segerombolan gajah. Di tengah para gajah, tampak sang Putri. Ucap si Pemuda, “Panglima Sekunca, mari kita lawan gajah-gajah itu untuk mendapatkan sang Putri.”
Tetapi Panglima Sekunca ketakutan. Ia lalu kabur. Dengan gagah berani, si Pemuda lalu bertempur dengan gajah-gajah itu. Dengan pedangnya, ia akhirnya dapat membunuh mereka.
Si Pemuda membawa pulang sang Putri ke istana. Namun, sebelum mereka sampai di istana, Panglima Sekunca tiba-tiba muncul dan menyerang si Pemuda, lalu melemparkannya ke dalam sebuah sumur. Panglima Sekunca kemudian membawa pulang sang Putri ke istana. Diceritakannya pada Raja bahwa si Pemuda telah mati dan ia sendiri telah berkelahi mati-matian dengan para gajah. Sang Putri menceritakan kejadian yang sebenarnya, namun tidak seorang pun percaya padanya. Raja kemudian menyiapkan sebuah pesta pernikahan yang sangat meriah dan mewah untuk Panglima Sekunca dan putrinya.
Di hari pernikahan, tiba-tiba si Pemuda muncul. Ia lalu bercerita bahwa ialah yang telah menyelamatkan sang Putri. Katanya Panglima Sekunca telah mencoba untuk membunuhnya.
Untuk membuktikan siapa yang paling hebat, Raja lalu menyuruh Panglima Sekunca dan si Pemuda berkelahi. Setelah tiga hari tiga malam, si Pemuda akhirnya dapat memenangkan perkelahian itu. Ia lalu menikah dengan sang Putri dan hidup penuh bahagia.
Oleh Endang Firdaus
Di Tamiang Aceh, dulu, ada sebuah kerajaan. Kerajaan itu diperintah oleh seorang raja nan bijak. Raja telah menikah lama dengan permaisurinya, namun belum juga dikaruniai anak.
Suatu hari, Raja berkata pada Permaisuri, “Kalau saja Yang Mahakuasa memberi kita seorang putri, aku akan memberikannya pada Raja Gajah.” Tak lama setelah itu, Permaisuri mengandung dan melahirkan seorang bayi perempuan cantik. Raja amat menyayangi putrinya itu dan lupa akan janjinya.
Saat sang Putri berumur empat puluh empat hari, Raja mengadakan pesta untuknya. Di penghujung acara, tiba-tiba segerombolan gajah datang dan membawa pergi sang Putri.
Permaisuri sangat sedih dengan kejadian itu. Raja memerintahkan pasukannya melakukan pencarian. Hutan-hutan mereka masuki. Namun, sang Putri tak juga ditemukan.
Tujuh belas tahun berlalu. Raja akhirnya membuat sayembara. Isinya: Yang dapat menemukan sang Putri dan dapat membawanya pulang dengan selamat dari tangan Raja Gajah akan dijadikan sebagai suaminya dan akan diangkat menjadi raja baru menggantikannya.
Para ksatria mencoba mengikuti sayembara itu, tetapi tak seorang pun berhasil. Suatu hari, Panglima Sekunca dan seorang pemuda tampan memasuki hutan untuk mencari sang Putri.
Panglima Sekunca yang hebat dan tangguh sangat memandang rendah pada si Pemuda. “Anak muda, berani sekali kau ikut sayembara ini. Apakah kau mampu melawan Raja Gajah?”
“Saya akan mencobanya,” sahut si Pemuda.
Mereka terus memasuki hutan. Mereka kemudian menemukan banyak pohon tumbang dan melihat segerombolan gajah. Di tengah para gajah, tampak sang Putri. Ucap si Pemuda, “Panglima Sekunca, mari kita lawan gajah-gajah itu untuk mendapatkan sang Putri.”
Tetapi Panglima Sekunca ketakutan. Ia lalu kabur. Dengan gagah berani, si Pemuda lalu bertempur dengan gajah-gajah itu. Dengan pedangnya, ia akhirnya dapat membunuh mereka.
Si Pemuda membawa pulang sang Putri ke istana. Namun, sebelum mereka sampai di istana, Panglima Sekunca tiba-tiba muncul dan menyerang si Pemuda, lalu melemparkannya ke dalam sebuah sumur. Panglima Sekunca kemudian membawa pulang sang Putri ke istana. Diceritakannya pada Raja bahwa si Pemuda telah mati dan ia sendiri telah berkelahi mati-matian dengan para gajah. Sang Putri menceritakan kejadian yang sebenarnya, namun tidak seorang pun percaya padanya. Raja kemudian menyiapkan sebuah pesta pernikahan yang sangat meriah dan mewah untuk Panglima Sekunca dan putrinya.
Di hari pernikahan, tiba-tiba si Pemuda muncul. Ia lalu bercerita bahwa ialah yang telah menyelamatkan sang Putri. Katanya Panglima Sekunca telah mencoba untuk membunuhnya.
Untuk membuktikan siapa yang paling hebat, Raja lalu menyuruh Panglima Sekunca dan si Pemuda berkelahi. Setelah tiga hari tiga malam, si Pemuda akhirnya dapat memenangkan perkelahian itu. Ia lalu menikah dengan sang Putri dan hidup penuh bahagia.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Dongeng dari Jawa Barat
RAHASIA SILUMAN KERDIL
Oleh Endang Firdaus
Utama dan Adigung bersahabat. Utama seorang yang baik budi, sabar, dan senang beramal. Sementara Adigung tamak, rakus, dan suka mementingkan diri sendiri. Suatu hari, mereka pergi menuju Negeri Alas Kencana, untuk menuntut ilmu dan mencari pengalaman. Utama membawa bekal uang sepuluh keping. Adigung hanya membawa lima keping.
“Kau saja yang menyimpan semua uang,” ucap Utama pada Adigung. “Kita gunakan bersama.”
Di perjalanan, Utama dan Adigung selalu beristirahat di kedai makan ketika lapar dan haus. Uang mereka kian berkurang. Suatu saat, Utama mengajak Adigung singgah lagi di kedai makan karena perutnya lapar. Namun, penuh kasar, Adigung berkata, “Kau di luar saja, Utama! Kau sudah tidak punya uang lagi untuk membeli makanan dan minuman!”
Utama kaget. Tukasnya, “Bukankah uang yang ada padamu masih cukup untuk membayar makan dan minum kita?”
“Uang ini tinggal lima keping! Ini uangku! Uangmu yang sepuluh keping sudah habis!”
“Uang itu kan untuk membayar makan kita?”
Adigung tak mempedulikan Utama. Ia makan dan minum dengan rakus, tak menghiraukan Utama yang lapar dan haus di luar kedai. Setelah kenyang, Adigung melanjutkan perjalanan. Utama yang berjalan lunglai di belakangnya tak henti-henti dimarahinya.
“Cepat jalannya! Kayak siput saja, kau!”
“Adigung, aku tak kuat lagi! Aku lemas sekali! Belikan aku makanan dan minuman! Aku sangat lapar dan haus! Aku bisa mati kalau tidak segera makan dan minum!”
Adigung menghentikan langkahnya. Ia diam berpikir. Tersenyum licik ia lalu berkata, “Kau kubelikan makanan dan minuman, jika kau mau menukarnya dengan mata kananmu!”
Utama tersentak kaget. Berat sekali yang diminta Adigung. Tetapi, demi kelangsungan hidupnya, ia pun merelakan mata kanannya dikorbankan. Tiga hari kemudian, Utama kembali kelaparan dan kehausan. Adigung meminta mata Utama yang tinggal sebelah untuk ditukar dengan sebungkus nasi dan minum. Maka kemudian Utama menjadi buta. Adigung sangat senang sekali melihat itu. Ketika mereka melewati sebuah sumur tua, dengan sangat kejam, ia mendorong Utama hingga terperosok ke dalam sumur itu.
Yang Mahakuasa masih melindungi Utama. Ia jatuh ke dalam sumur kering dan bertanah lembek. Di dalam sumur ada lorong menuju ke sebuah gua, tempat kerajaan siluman kerdil. Utama merangkak ke sana. Di mulut gua, ia mendengar pembicaraan raja dan ratu siluman. Ia akhirnya mengetahui rahasia menyembuhkan matanya yang buta, yaitu dengan ramuan daun singawereng. Ia juga mengetahui rahasia agar selalu menang dalam berperang.
Seorang petani akhirnya menolong Utama keluar dari sumur itu. Utama mengucapkan terima kasih. Ia lalu mencari daun singawereng untuk menyembuhkan matanya. Usai itu dilanjutkannya perjalanan menuju Negeri Alas Kencana. Di negeri itu tengah ada sayembara. Isi sayembara itu: Yang dapat menyembuhkan putri raja dari kebutaan, bila laki-laki akan dijadikan suami dan bila perempuan akan dijadikan sebagai saudara.
Utama mengikuti sayembara itu. Dengan ramuan daun singawereng, ia berhasil menyembuhkan sang Putri. Ia lalu menikah dengannya dan diangkat sebagai putra makota. Negeri Alas Kencana kemudian mengalami banyak kemajuan. Pasukan siluman kerdil yang sering mengganggu penduduk berhasil ditumpas, berkat Utama yang telah mengetahui rahasia agar selalu menang dalam berperang. Lalu, harta karun siluman kerdil dikuasai Alas Kencana.
Utama akhirnya diangkat menjadi raja. Adigung yang kerjanya hanya berjudi dan berkumpul dengan orang-orang jahat mendengar itu. Gumamnya, “Aku akan menemui Utama. Aku akan meminta uang padanya.” Ia pun menemui Utama dan mendapat uang banyak. Tetapi, uang itu dihabiskannya di meja judi. Ia lalu kembali menemui Utama. Ia ingin tahu bagaimana Utama bisa menjadi raja. Utama menceritakan yang telah dialaminya.
Adigung cepat pergi ke sumur tua. Ia melompat ke dalamnya. Namun, begitu kakinya menginjak dasar sumur, para prajurit kerajaan siluman kerdil di dalam sumur itu meringkusnya. Mereka membunuhnya, karena menyangka Adigung telah mencuri rahasia mereka.
Oleh Endang Firdaus
Utama dan Adigung bersahabat. Utama seorang yang baik budi, sabar, dan senang beramal. Sementara Adigung tamak, rakus, dan suka mementingkan diri sendiri. Suatu hari, mereka pergi menuju Negeri Alas Kencana, untuk menuntut ilmu dan mencari pengalaman. Utama membawa bekal uang sepuluh keping. Adigung hanya membawa lima keping.
“Kau saja yang menyimpan semua uang,” ucap Utama pada Adigung. “Kita gunakan bersama.”
Di perjalanan, Utama dan Adigung selalu beristirahat di kedai makan ketika lapar dan haus. Uang mereka kian berkurang. Suatu saat, Utama mengajak Adigung singgah lagi di kedai makan karena perutnya lapar. Namun, penuh kasar, Adigung berkata, “Kau di luar saja, Utama! Kau sudah tidak punya uang lagi untuk membeli makanan dan minuman!”
Utama kaget. Tukasnya, “Bukankah uang yang ada padamu masih cukup untuk membayar makan dan minum kita?”
“Uang ini tinggal lima keping! Ini uangku! Uangmu yang sepuluh keping sudah habis!”
“Uang itu kan untuk membayar makan kita?”
Adigung tak mempedulikan Utama. Ia makan dan minum dengan rakus, tak menghiraukan Utama yang lapar dan haus di luar kedai. Setelah kenyang, Adigung melanjutkan perjalanan. Utama yang berjalan lunglai di belakangnya tak henti-henti dimarahinya.
“Cepat jalannya! Kayak siput saja, kau!”
“Adigung, aku tak kuat lagi! Aku lemas sekali! Belikan aku makanan dan minuman! Aku sangat lapar dan haus! Aku bisa mati kalau tidak segera makan dan minum!”
Adigung menghentikan langkahnya. Ia diam berpikir. Tersenyum licik ia lalu berkata, “Kau kubelikan makanan dan minuman, jika kau mau menukarnya dengan mata kananmu!”
Utama tersentak kaget. Berat sekali yang diminta Adigung. Tetapi, demi kelangsungan hidupnya, ia pun merelakan mata kanannya dikorbankan. Tiga hari kemudian, Utama kembali kelaparan dan kehausan. Adigung meminta mata Utama yang tinggal sebelah untuk ditukar dengan sebungkus nasi dan minum. Maka kemudian Utama menjadi buta. Adigung sangat senang sekali melihat itu. Ketika mereka melewati sebuah sumur tua, dengan sangat kejam, ia mendorong Utama hingga terperosok ke dalam sumur itu.
Yang Mahakuasa masih melindungi Utama. Ia jatuh ke dalam sumur kering dan bertanah lembek. Di dalam sumur ada lorong menuju ke sebuah gua, tempat kerajaan siluman kerdil. Utama merangkak ke sana. Di mulut gua, ia mendengar pembicaraan raja dan ratu siluman. Ia akhirnya mengetahui rahasia menyembuhkan matanya yang buta, yaitu dengan ramuan daun singawereng. Ia juga mengetahui rahasia agar selalu menang dalam berperang.
Seorang petani akhirnya menolong Utama keluar dari sumur itu. Utama mengucapkan terima kasih. Ia lalu mencari daun singawereng untuk menyembuhkan matanya. Usai itu dilanjutkannya perjalanan menuju Negeri Alas Kencana. Di negeri itu tengah ada sayembara. Isi sayembara itu: Yang dapat menyembuhkan putri raja dari kebutaan, bila laki-laki akan dijadikan suami dan bila perempuan akan dijadikan sebagai saudara.
Utama mengikuti sayembara itu. Dengan ramuan daun singawereng, ia berhasil menyembuhkan sang Putri. Ia lalu menikah dengannya dan diangkat sebagai putra makota. Negeri Alas Kencana kemudian mengalami banyak kemajuan. Pasukan siluman kerdil yang sering mengganggu penduduk berhasil ditumpas, berkat Utama yang telah mengetahui rahasia agar selalu menang dalam berperang. Lalu, harta karun siluman kerdil dikuasai Alas Kencana.
Utama akhirnya diangkat menjadi raja. Adigung yang kerjanya hanya berjudi dan berkumpul dengan orang-orang jahat mendengar itu. Gumamnya, “Aku akan menemui Utama. Aku akan meminta uang padanya.” Ia pun menemui Utama dan mendapat uang banyak. Tetapi, uang itu dihabiskannya di meja judi. Ia lalu kembali menemui Utama. Ia ingin tahu bagaimana Utama bisa menjadi raja. Utama menceritakan yang telah dialaminya.
Adigung cepat pergi ke sumur tua. Ia melompat ke dalamnya. Namun, begitu kakinya menginjak dasar sumur, para prajurit kerajaan siluman kerdil di dalam sumur itu meringkusnya. Mereka membunuhnya, karena menyangka Adigung telah mencuri rahasia mereka.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
A Folktale from Kalimantan
THE PORCUPINE’S IDEA
By Endang Firdaus
A long time ago, the animals in the jungle of Kalimantan were lead by a bear. He ruled fair and wisely. All animals lived peacefully. Meanwhile, the animals in the jungle of Sumatera was lead by an elephant. He wanted to enlarge his territory very much. One day, he called a rabbit.
“What could I do, Your Honest?” asked Rabbit.
“I’ll give you a duty,” said Elephant.
“What’s that?”
“Please go to Kalimantan. See the king of that island’s jungle. Ask him to bow to me. This is my letter for him.”
Rabbit went to Kalimantan. Arriving there he told what Elephant said to all animals there. Then he returned to Sumatera. Instantly, the animals in the jungle of Kalimantan got anxious and afraid. Bear was sad. “What must I do?” he said. “If I agree to bow to Elephant, the animals here will be suffered. If I fight him, I know I will be a loser. According the animals in this islands that ever met him, he has a very big body, long tusks, and a strong trunk that can fell the big trees.”
And old porcupine came.
“What do you want?” Bear asked
“I’ve an idea, Your Honest.”
“What’s that?”
“For our peace, you must send a delegation to Sumatera to meet the king of that island’s jungle to say that you will not bow to him. Your delegation must take my hairs to be given to the king. Ask the delegation that the hairs are your own hairs. That’s my idea, Your Honest.”
Bear agreed. He sent a delegation to Sumatera. His delegation told his king said to Elephant and then gave the porcupine’s hairs to him. He said they were the king’s hairs of Kalimantan’s jungle.
Elephant got surprised and frightened to see the hairs. He grumbled, “This hairs was big and strong. I am sure that Bear, the king of Kalimantan’s jungle, is big and very strong.”
Elephant gave up his plan to conquest the jungle of Kalimantan. The animals there were happy.
By Endang Firdaus
A long time ago, the animals in the jungle of Kalimantan were lead by a bear. He ruled fair and wisely. All animals lived peacefully. Meanwhile, the animals in the jungle of Sumatera was lead by an elephant. He wanted to enlarge his territory very much. One day, he called a rabbit.
“What could I do, Your Honest?” asked Rabbit.
“I’ll give you a duty,” said Elephant.
“What’s that?”
“Please go to Kalimantan. See the king of that island’s jungle. Ask him to bow to me. This is my letter for him.”
Rabbit went to Kalimantan. Arriving there he told what Elephant said to all animals there. Then he returned to Sumatera. Instantly, the animals in the jungle of Kalimantan got anxious and afraid. Bear was sad. “What must I do?” he said. “If I agree to bow to Elephant, the animals here will be suffered. If I fight him, I know I will be a loser. According the animals in this islands that ever met him, he has a very big body, long tusks, and a strong trunk that can fell the big trees.”
And old porcupine came.
“What do you want?” Bear asked
“I’ve an idea, Your Honest.”
“What’s that?”
“For our peace, you must send a delegation to Sumatera to meet the king of that island’s jungle to say that you will not bow to him. Your delegation must take my hairs to be given to the king. Ask the delegation that the hairs are your own hairs. That’s my idea, Your Honest.”
Bear agreed. He sent a delegation to Sumatera. His delegation told his king said to Elephant and then gave the porcupine’s hairs to him. He said they were the king’s hairs of Kalimantan’s jungle.
Elephant got surprised and frightened to see the hairs. He grumbled, “This hairs was big and strong. I am sure that Bear, the king of Kalimantan’s jungle, is big and very strong.”
Elephant gave up his plan to conquest the jungle of Kalimantan. The animals there were happy.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
A Folktale from Africa
WHY THE SEA IS SALT
By Endang Firdaus
Long, long ago, there lived two brothers. The older brother was rich and successful, but mean and arrogant. The younger brother was very poor, but kind and generous.
One day, the poor brother and his wife had nothing to eat. They also had no money to buy something to eat and had nothing to be sold. To make matters worse, the next day was a day of celebration. “We have nothing to eat. Tomorrow is a day of celebration. How will we celebrate?” said the poor brother’s wife sadly. The poor brother did not know what to do.
“Go to your brother and ask for his help,” suggested the wife. “He killed a cow yesterday. Maybe he will give us a little meat for a day of celebration.” The poor brother did not like to ask his brother for help, for he knew how mean and selfish his brother was. But the next day was a day of celebration, and he really could not think how else to get something to eat. He went to his brother’s house. “What do you want?” asked the older brother when his brother came.
“Go away!” cried the older brother’s wife. She was very angry. “We are busy preparing the feast for a day of celebration tomorrow! We have no time for you! Go away!”
“Brother,” said the poor man, “we have nothing to eat, no food for a day of celebration tomorrow. Please give me a little meat, so that I and my wife may also celebrate.”
“My husband,” shrieked the older brother's wife at her husband, “throw your brother out!”
“Please help us, brother!” said the poor brother sadly, looking at his older brother.
“All right!” cried the older brother. “Take this! Go to Hiysi!” He threw a cow’s hoof at his younger brother.
The poor man thanked his brother and then walked back to his house. As he walked he thought, “My brother did not give me the cow's hoof. He has told me to take it to Hiysi. So this cow’s hoof is not mine to eat, but Hiysi’s. I must take it to Hiysi.” Hiysi, the Wood-Goblin, lived deep in the forest. The poor brother turned around and went to the forest.
The forest was dark and gloomy. The poor brother walked and walked trough the trees. Then, he met some woodcutters. “What are you doing here?” they asked the poor brother.
“I want to take this cow’s hoof to Hiysi,” answered the poor brother. “Do you know his hut?”
'Keep walking straight ahead,' said the woodcutters. 'Turn neither left nor right, and soon you will be at Hiysi's hut. Listen carefully. Hiysi loves meat. He will offer you silver and gold and precious stones in gratitude. Don't accept any of those. Ask instead for his millstone. If he tries to offer you something else, you must refuse it. Ask only for his millstone.”
The poor brother thanked the woodcutters. Then he walked on. Not long he saw a hut. He went inside and found Hiysi sitting there. “Why have you came here?” Hiysi asked.
“I have a gift for you,” said the poor brother. “A cow's hoof.” He held out the cow’s hoof to Hiysi.
Hiysi liked very much to get the cow’s hoof. Happily he grabbed it and ate it. “I will give you a gift in return,” he said. 'Here, take some silver!” He pulled out a handful of silver coins.
“I don’t want any silver,” said the poor brother.
“Do you want gold?”
Hiysi pulled out two handfuls of gold coin.
“I don’t want gold either.”
“How about some precious stones?”
“I don’t want any of those either.”
“What do you want?”
“I want your millstone.”
“My millstone!' exclaimed Hiysi. “You can't have that. But I can give you anything else you like.”
“Thank you. You’re very kind,” said the poor brother. “Bu I only want your millstone.”
Hiysi did not want to let the poor brother go without a gift in return. So he gave his millstone to him. He said, “This is a magic millstone. It will give you whatever you wish for. Just make your wish and say, ‘Grind, my millstone!’ When you have enough and want the millstone to stop, just say, ‘Enough and have done!’ And it will stop.” The poor brother thanked and went home. Arriving his house he told his adventures to his wife.
The poor brother put the millstone on the table and said, “Grind, my millstone! Give me food!” The millstone grinded, and there on the table poured the delicious food. “Enough and have done!” said the poor brother. The millstone stopped grinding. Then, happily the poor brother and his wife ate the food. The poor man and his wife then took a day of celebration happily. They had enough food to eat and new clothes to wear. They became rich.
The older brother heard his younger brother’s fortune. He went to his younger brother’s house and asked him how to be rich. The younger brother told him everything. “I must get that millstone for myself,” thought the older brother. He asked his younger brother to show him the millstone. The younger brother did not suspect the wickedness of his older brother. He took his millstone and put it on the table and said, “Grind, my millstone! Give us some food!” The millstone grinded and poured the delicious food on the table. The older brother could not believe his eyes. “Sell me your millstone!” he begged of his younger brother. The younger brother answered that the millstone was not for sale. The older brother then asked his younger brother to lend it him. The younger brother did.
The older brother took the millstone home. He did not asked how to make it stop. He put the millstone into a boat and rowed out to sea with it. Arriving there he said, “Grind. my millstone! Give me salt, as much as you can!” He asked salt to the millstone because he thought he would have much money by selling the salt. The millstone grinded and poured out the salt. The boat was full. The older brother decided to stop the millstone. But he did not know how. “Stop, my millstone!” he cried. “Stop grinding. I don't want any more salt.”
The millstone kept turning, pouring out salt. The older brother begged and pleaded with the millstone to stop. But he did not know the magic words. So the millstone kept turning and pouring out salt and more salt. The rich brother tried to throw the millstone overboard, but he could not lift it. The boat was now so full of salt. Slowly it began sinking
“Help!” cried the older brother.
The millstone kept pouring out salt, and the boat kept sinking till it sank to the bottom of the sea with the older brother and millstone. The older brother drowned for his greed. At the bottom of the sea, the magic millstone kept pouring out salt, until now. That is why the sea is salt.
By Endang Firdaus
Long, long ago, there lived two brothers. The older brother was rich and successful, but mean and arrogant. The younger brother was very poor, but kind and generous.
One day, the poor brother and his wife had nothing to eat. They also had no money to buy something to eat and had nothing to be sold. To make matters worse, the next day was a day of celebration. “We have nothing to eat. Tomorrow is a day of celebration. How will we celebrate?” said the poor brother’s wife sadly. The poor brother did not know what to do.
“Go to your brother and ask for his help,” suggested the wife. “He killed a cow yesterday. Maybe he will give us a little meat for a day of celebration.” The poor brother did not like to ask his brother for help, for he knew how mean and selfish his brother was. But the next day was a day of celebration, and he really could not think how else to get something to eat. He went to his brother’s house. “What do you want?” asked the older brother when his brother came.
“Go away!” cried the older brother’s wife. She was very angry. “We are busy preparing the feast for a day of celebration tomorrow! We have no time for you! Go away!”
“Brother,” said the poor man, “we have nothing to eat, no food for a day of celebration tomorrow. Please give me a little meat, so that I and my wife may also celebrate.”
“My husband,” shrieked the older brother's wife at her husband, “throw your brother out!”
“Please help us, brother!” said the poor brother sadly, looking at his older brother.
“All right!” cried the older brother. “Take this! Go to Hiysi!” He threw a cow’s hoof at his younger brother.
The poor man thanked his brother and then walked back to his house. As he walked he thought, “My brother did not give me the cow's hoof. He has told me to take it to Hiysi. So this cow’s hoof is not mine to eat, but Hiysi’s. I must take it to Hiysi.” Hiysi, the Wood-Goblin, lived deep in the forest. The poor brother turned around and went to the forest.
The forest was dark and gloomy. The poor brother walked and walked trough the trees. Then, he met some woodcutters. “What are you doing here?” they asked the poor brother.
“I want to take this cow’s hoof to Hiysi,” answered the poor brother. “Do you know his hut?”
'Keep walking straight ahead,' said the woodcutters. 'Turn neither left nor right, and soon you will be at Hiysi's hut. Listen carefully. Hiysi loves meat. He will offer you silver and gold and precious stones in gratitude. Don't accept any of those. Ask instead for his millstone. If he tries to offer you something else, you must refuse it. Ask only for his millstone.”
The poor brother thanked the woodcutters. Then he walked on. Not long he saw a hut. He went inside and found Hiysi sitting there. “Why have you came here?” Hiysi asked.
“I have a gift for you,” said the poor brother. “A cow's hoof.” He held out the cow’s hoof to Hiysi.
Hiysi liked very much to get the cow’s hoof. Happily he grabbed it and ate it. “I will give you a gift in return,” he said. 'Here, take some silver!” He pulled out a handful of silver coins.
“I don’t want any silver,” said the poor brother.
“Do you want gold?”
Hiysi pulled out two handfuls of gold coin.
“I don’t want gold either.”
“How about some precious stones?”
“I don’t want any of those either.”
“What do you want?”
“I want your millstone.”
“My millstone!' exclaimed Hiysi. “You can't have that. But I can give you anything else you like.”
“Thank you. You’re very kind,” said the poor brother. “Bu I only want your millstone.”
Hiysi did not want to let the poor brother go without a gift in return. So he gave his millstone to him. He said, “This is a magic millstone. It will give you whatever you wish for. Just make your wish and say, ‘Grind, my millstone!’ When you have enough and want the millstone to stop, just say, ‘Enough and have done!’ And it will stop.” The poor brother thanked and went home. Arriving his house he told his adventures to his wife.
The poor brother put the millstone on the table and said, “Grind, my millstone! Give me food!” The millstone grinded, and there on the table poured the delicious food. “Enough and have done!” said the poor brother. The millstone stopped grinding. Then, happily the poor brother and his wife ate the food. The poor man and his wife then took a day of celebration happily. They had enough food to eat and new clothes to wear. They became rich.
The older brother heard his younger brother’s fortune. He went to his younger brother’s house and asked him how to be rich. The younger brother told him everything. “I must get that millstone for myself,” thought the older brother. He asked his younger brother to show him the millstone. The younger brother did not suspect the wickedness of his older brother. He took his millstone and put it on the table and said, “Grind, my millstone! Give us some food!” The millstone grinded and poured the delicious food on the table. The older brother could not believe his eyes. “Sell me your millstone!” he begged of his younger brother. The younger brother answered that the millstone was not for sale. The older brother then asked his younger brother to lend it him. The younger brother did.
The older brother took the millstone home. He did not asked how to make it stop. He put the millstone into a boat and rowed out to sea with it. Arriving there he said, “Grind. my millstone! Give me salt, as much as you can!” He asked salt to the millstone because he thought he would have much money by selling the salt. The millstone grinded and poured out the salt. The boat was full. The older brother decided to stop the millstone. But he did not know how. “Stop, my millstone!” he cried. “Stop grinding. I don't want any more salt.”
The millstone kept turning, pouring out salt. The older brother begged and pleaded with the millstone to stop. But he did not know the magic words. So the millstone kept turning and pouring out salt and more salt. The rich brother tried to throw the millstone overboard, but he could not lift it. The boat was now so full of salt. Slowly it began sinking
“Help!” cried the older brother.
The millstone kept pouring out salt, and the boat kept sinking till it sank to the bottom of the sea with the older brother and millstone. The older brother drowned for his greed. At the bottom of the sea, the magic millstone kept pouring out salt, until now. That is why the sea is salt.
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