Cerita Rakyat Rusia Masha And The Bear

Masha And The Bear

Ada sepasang pria dan wanita tua, yang memiliki cucu bernama Masha. Suatu hari beberapa teman Masha ingin pergi ke hutan mencari jamur dan buah berry. Mereka datang ke rumah Masha untuk mengajaknya turut serta. Masha bilang kepada kakek serta neneknya.

"Oma, opa, boleh ya aku pergi ke hutan," pinta Masha.

Kakek-nenek Masha mengizinkan dengan satu nasihat: Masha tidak boleh terpisah dari teman-temannya atau Masha akan tersesat.

Masha dan teman-temannya pun mencari jamur dan buah. Selama beberapa waktu mencari, tanpa terasa Masha telah terpisah dari teman-temannya. Masha memanggil-manggil temannya. "Hallo?"

Ternyata teman-teman Masha sudah tidak ada di dekat Masha lagi. Mereka semua sudah pergi meninggalkannya. Karena sudah malam, Masha berjalan mencari jalan pulang sampai akhirnya dia menemukan pondok kecil yang dihuni oleh beruang.

Masha mengetuk pintu selama beberapa kali. Karena tidak ada jawaban, Masha membuka pintu dan duduk di dekat jendela. Dia ingin tahu siapa yang tinggal di sana.

Beberapa saat setelahnya, yang tinggal di pondok tersebut adalah beruang. Seekor beruang yang besar. Menemukan Masha di dalam pondokannya, beruang lalu menakut-nakutinya. Sehingga Masha menjadi takut. Beruang mengatakan jika dirinya tidak akan membuat Masha takut asalkan Masha membuatkan makanan dan mengurus rumah untuknya.

Selama beberapa waktu, Masha melakukan semua yang diperintahkan beruang. Namun dia rindu dengan kakek-neneknya dan juga teman-temannya. Karena itu Masha mencari akal untuk bisa pulang.

Masha kemudian meminta beruang untuk membiarkannya satu hari saja untuknya pulang ke rumah. Karena dia mau memberikan kue untuk dimakan kepada kakek-neneknya.

"Jangan. Kalau keluar sendirian kamu akan tersesat. Tapi... kalau kamu bersedia memberikan sebagian kue itu untukku, maka aku akan mengantarkannya kepada kakek-nenek kamu," kata beruang.

Masha pun membuat kue yang besar untuk dikirim kepada kakek-neneknya. "Silakan kamu bawa kue ini. Tapi aku akan naik ke pohon ek besar dan memantaumu. Awas kalau memakannya!"

Beruang menurut apa yang dikatakan Masha. Sebelum beruang menggendong kue itu dengan keranjang di belakang punggungnya, Masha menyelinap dan masuk ke dalam keranjang. Kemudian menutupi dirinya dengan kue.

Di tengah jalan beruang mau memakannya. Namun terdengar suara Masha dari dalam keranjang. Beruang pun tidak jadi memakan kue tersebut. Begitu seterusnya.

Akhirnya beruang sampai di depan rumah kakek-nenek Masha. Dengan cepat, beruang mengetuk pintu dan berteriak, "Aku membawa sesuatu untuk kalian dari Masha."

Kakek-nekek Masha pun segera keluar dan menemukan sebuah keranjang. Mereka membukanya dan terkejut ketika melihat Masha ada di dalamnya. Masha pun memeluk kakek dan neneknya. Mereka bersyukur Masha bisa selamat karena kepintarannya.

Cerita Rapunzel Bahasa Inggris

Rapunzel 

There was once a couple who had long in vain wished for a child. At length the woman hoped that God was about to grant her desire. They had a little window at the back of their house from which a splendid garden could be seen, which was full of beautiful flowers and herbs. It was, however, surrounded by a high wall, and no one dared to go into it because it belonged to an enchantress, who had great power and was dreaded by all the world.

One day the woman was standing by this window and looking down into the garden, when she saw a bed which was planted with the most beautiful rampion - rapunzel, and it looked so fresh and green that she longed for it, and had the greatest desire to eat some. This desire increased every day, and as she knew that she could not get any of it, she quite pined away, and began to look pale and miserable. Her husband was alarmed, and asked, "what makes you sad, dear wife." "Ah", she replied, "if I can't eat some of the rampion, which is in the garden behind our house, I shall die". The man, who loved her, thought, sooner than let your wife die, bring her some of the rampion yourself, let it cost what it will. At twilight, he clambered down over the wall into the garden of the enchantress, hastily clutched a handful of rampion, and took it to his wife. She at once made herself a salad of it, and ate it greedily. It tasted so good to her - so very good, that the next day she longed for it three times as much as before.

If he was to have any rest, her husband must once more descend into the garden. In the gloom of evening, therefore, he let himself down again. But when he had clambered down the wall he was terribly afraid, for he saw the enchantress standing before him. "How dare you", said she with angry look, "descend into my garden and steal my rampion like a thief. You shall suffer for it". He answered, "let mercy take the place of justice, I only made up my mind to do it out of necessity. My wife saw your rampion from the window, and felt such a longing for it that she would have died if she had not got some to eat". Then the enchantress allowed her anger to be softened, and said to him, if the case be as you say, I will allow you to take away with you as much rampion as you will, only I make one condition, you must give me the child which your wife will bring into the world. It shall be well treated, and I will care for it like a mother.

The man in his terror consented to everything, and when the woman was brought to bed, the enchantress appeared at once, gave the child the name of Rapunzel, and took it away with her. Rapunzel grew into the most beautiful child under the sun.

When she was twelve years old, the enchantress shut her into a tower, which lay in a forest, and had neither stairs nor door, but quite at the top was a little window. When the enchantress wanted to go in, she placed herself beneath it and cried, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair to me".

Rapunzel had magnificent long hair, fine as spun gold, and when she heard the voice of the enchantress she unfastened her braided tresses, wound them round one of the hooks of the window above, and then the hair fell twenty ells down, and the enchantress climbed up by it.

After a year or two, it came to pass that the king's son rode through the forest and passed by the tower. Then he heard a song, which was so charming that he stood still and listened. This was
Rapunzel, who in her solitude passed her time in letting her sweet voice resound. The king's son wanted to climb up to her, and looked for the door of the tower, but none was to be found. He rode home, but the singing had so deeply touched his heart, that every day he went out into the forest and listened to it.

Once when he was thus standing behind a tree, he saw that an enchantress came there, and he heard how she cried, "If that is the ladder by which one mounts, I too will try my fortune". thought he, and the next day when it began to grow dark, he went to the tower and cried, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair". Immediately the hair fell down and the king's son climbed up. At first Rapunzel was terribly frightened when a man, such as her eyes had never yet beheld, came to her. But the king's son began to talk to her quite like a friend, and told her that his heart had been so stirred that it had let him have no rest, and he had been forced to see her. Then rapunzel lost her fear, and when he asked her if she would take him for her husband, and she saw that he was young and handsome, she thought, he will love me more than old dame gothic does. And she said yes, and laid her hand in his. She said, I will willingly go away with you, but I do not know how to get down. Bring with you a skein of silk every time that you come, and I will weave a ladder with it, and when that is ready I will descend, and you will take me on your horse. They agreed that until that time he should come to her every evening, for the old woman came by day. The enchantress remarked nothing of this, until once Rapunzel said to her, tell me, how it happens that you are so much heavier for me to draw up than the young king's son - he is with me in a moment. Ah. You wicked child, cried the enchantress. What do I hear you say. I thought I had separated you from all the world, and yet you have deceived me. In her anger she clutched rapunzel's beautiful tresses, wrapped them twice round her left hand, seized a pair of scissors with the right, and snip, snap, they were cut off, and the lovely braids lay on the ground. And she was so pitiless that she took poor rapunzel into a desert where she had to live in great grief and misery.

On the same day that she cast out rapunzel, however, the enchantress fastened the braids of hair, which she had cut off, to the hook of the window, and when the king's son came and cried, rapunzel, rapunzel, let down your hair, she let the hair down. The king's son ascended, but instead of finding his dearest rapunzel, he found the enchantress, who gazed at him with wicked and venomous looks. Aha, she cried mockingly, you would fetch your dearest, but the beautiful bird sits no longer singing in the nest. The cat has got it, and will scratch out your eyes as well.

Rapunzel is lost to you. You will never see her again. The king's son was beside himself with pain, and in his despair he leapt down from the tower. He escaped with his life, but the thorns into which he fell pierced his eyes. Then he wandered quite blind about the forest, ate nothing but roots and berries, and did naught but lament and weep over the loss of his dear wife. Thus he roamed about in misery for some years, and at length came to the desert where Rapunzel, with the twins to which she had given birth, a boy and a girl, lived in wretchedness. He heard a voice, and it seemed so familiar to him that he went towards it, and when he approached, Rapunzel knew him and fell on his neck and wept. Two of her tears wetted his eyes and they grew clear again, and he could see with them as before. He led her to his kingdom where he was joyfully received, and they lived for a long time afterwards, happy and contented.

Cerita Situ Bagendit Bahasa Inggris

Situ Bagendit

Far away in an isolated village there was a young rich woman. The house that she had been living in was very big. Her wealth was plentiful. The young woman lived by herself. She didn’t have any friend at all.

“Wouw, I am very rich! Ha…ha…ha, I am the richest woman in this village!” said the young woman while she was looking at her gold and jewelries. It was so pity, that the young woman was very miserly. Her plentiful wealth never been used to help others.

“All of the wealth is mine, isn’t it? So what am I give it all to other for?” The young woman thought. However, many of villagers were poor. They lived in less condition. Sometimes some villagers were hunger, and didn’t get any food for days.

Because of the young woman miserly, the villagers called her Bagenda Endit. Bagenda Endit meant the miserly rich person. “Bagenda Endit, have mercy on me! My child has not eaten for few days”, said an old woman sadly.

“Hi, you crazy old woman! Get away from me!” yelled Bagenda Endit threw the old woman away. Because the old woman didn’t want to go, Bagenda Endit splashed her with water. Splash!, and all over the old woman body and her baby became wet.

Bagenda Endit was a feeling less woman. She didn’t even have a little bit mercy to the old woman and her baby. She even got more angry. After that, she asked the old woman to get out of her house yard. And then, she was dragging her out of the yard.

Although Bagenda Endit was very miserly, the village people kept coming in. The came for the water wheel. “No, I won’t let you to take away the water from my wheel! The water in the wheel is mine!” Bagenda Endit yelled angrily.

“Ha…ha…ha…you’re all stupid! You think you just can take the water from my wheel!” Bagenda Endit said while she was watching the thirst villagers outside the fence. Suddenly, a decrepit man was standing in Bagenda Endit house yard. He was walking tottery to the wheel while holding his stick.

When the old man was trying to take the water, Bagenda Endit saw it. Then, she hit the old man with a founder. “Have mercy on me Bagenda Endit! I want to take the water just for a drink”, said the old man when he was trying to get up.

Bagenda Endit kept beating the old man. And then, an astonishing thing happened. Suddenly the old man got up with a healthy body. He walked closer to Bagenda Endit. He pointed his stick at the cruel rich woman’s nose.

“Hi, Bagenda Endit, take the punishment from me!” said the old man loudly. Then he pointed at the wheel with his stick. Wus…byuur, the wheel was sprinkling the water swiftly. Not long enough, the water was flooding up. Bagenda Endit couldn’t save herself. She drawn with all of her wealth.

The village was disappeared. The thing that left was a wide and deep lake. The lake was named Situ Bagendit. Situ means a wide lake. It was named Situ Bagendit, because the wide lake came from a wheel that belongs to Bagenda Endit.

Cerita Kutukan Keris Mpu Gandring Bahasa Inggris

Kutukan Keris Mpu Gandring

The king of Kediri Kingdom in East Java, Kertajaya thought himself as a deity, and he was opposed by the Brahmana (priests) caste. When he threated the Brahmanas, they ran to Tumapel and asked the ruler, Ken Arok, for his protection. Ken Arok thought that Kediri army would attack his territory, and ordered his troops to fortify.

Kediri army came to Tumapel as Arok was expecting. The Battle of Ganter, in 1222, was the end of Kediri Kingdom, then Ken Arok formed his own empire, Singosari.

Ken Arok proclaimed himself as the son of Shiva.

Historians has been argued on Ken Arok's new dynasty because his origin wasn't clear . Who is he? Why he could forma kingdom? Does he have a dark past?

After Kertajaya lost, the Kediri Kingdom was ruled by Tunggul Ametung. He had a very beautiful wife, Ken Dedes. A statue in Leiden Museum, Netherlands, shows Ken Dedes as Prajnaparamitha, Goddess of Wise.

One day Ken Arok accidentaly saw Ken Dedes, then a wind hiked her gown. Suddenly Ken Arok got a vision, that he had to have Ken Dedes as his wife, at any risk.

Ken Arok decided to kill Tunggul Ametung.

He ordered a "keris" (a sacred short sword) to a priest, Mpu Gandring. It took a long time to make a "keris" because only englighted priest could make it, and they had to do some rituals for that.

Ken Arok was impatient to wait the keris to be done. His lust to Ken Dedes is getting bigger and bigger. He came up to Mpu Gandring to ask if the keris was completed. When Mpu Gandrig said no, Ken Arok kill him with that incompleted keris.

Before he died, Mpu Gandring cursed the keris.

Later, Ken Arok lent the keris to Kebo Ijo, a petty criminal Kebo Ijo was so proud. that he showed the keris to everyone. At night, Ken Arok stole the keris again, and he succesfully kill Tunggul Ametung. Kebo Ijo was framed as the killer, but before he could talk, Ken Arok killed him with the keris.

In the 5th year of his reign, a man called Anusapati wanted the throne of Singosari from Ken Arok. Ken Arok had abandoned Mpu Gandring's keris but Anusapati killed him with that.

Ken Arok had a concubine named Ken Umang, and their son, Tohjaya decided the revenge.

At the 21th year of Anusapati's rule, Tohjaya invited Anusapati for gambling, and when Anusapati was having fun, Tohjaya killed Anusapati, again with Mpu Gandring's keris.

After Anusapati's death, his son Ranggawuni wanted the throne. Tohjaya sent Lembu Ampal to attack Ranggawuni and his companion, Mahesa Cempaka. Lembu Ampal realized that Ranggawuni was the right person to be the king, and they fought against Tohjaya. Tohjaya was killed with Mpu Gandring's keris.

Ranggawuni and Mahesa Cempaka realized that Mpu Gandring's keris would only make chaos and death, so they threw the keris to the Java Sea. Legend said that the keris turned to be a dragon.

Cerita Nyi Roro Kidul Bahasa Inggris

Nyi Roro Kidul 

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess named Kadita. Because of her beauty she was called Dewi Srengenge which mean The beautiful sun. Her father was King Munding Wangi. Although he had a beautiful daughter he always unhappy because he always expected to have a son. The King decided to merry Dewi Mutiara, and he had a son from her. He was very happy. Dewi Mutiara wanted her son to become a king in the future so she must make sure for it. Dewi mutiara came to the king and asked him to send away his daughter. Of course, the king did not agree. "It is ridiculous, I will not allow any body doing such cruel thing to my daughter", said King Munding Wangi. When she heard the answer, Dewi mutiara smiled and said a sweet thing until the king has not anger anymore. However, she kept her bad intention deep in her heart.

In the morning before the sun raised, Dewi Mutiara sent her maid to call a black magician. She wanted the black magician to curse Kadita, her step daughter. " I want her beautiful body full with scabies and itch. If you succeeded I will reward you with the present you never thought before". The black magician did the queen order, in the night Kadita body has been full with scabies and itch. When She waked up , she found her body was smell stinky and have a ulcer all over her body. The beautiful princess cried and did not know what to do.

When The King heard he was very sad, he invited many physician to cure her daughter illness. Day by the day nobody could cure her daughter. He realized that her daughter illness it was not a ordinary illness someone must send a curse or magic spell. His problem became more difficult when the Queen Dewi Mutiara forced him to send away her daughter. "Your daughter will bring a bad luck to whole country, said Dewi Mutiara. The king did not want her daughter become a bad rumour in whole country. Finally he must agree to send her only daughter to leave the country.

The poor princess went alone, she didn't know to where she should go. She almost could not cry anymore. She had a nobble heart. She did not have any bad feeling with her step mother, instead she always asked the God to accompany her passed her suffer.

Almost seven day and seven night she has walked until she came to south ocean. She looked at the ocean. It was so clean and clear, unlike other ocean which have a blue or green colour. She jumped onto the water and swim. Suddenly when the south ocean water touched her skin there was a miracle happened. Her ulcer has gone and there was no sign that she has ever had a scabies or itch. Even more she became more beautiful than before. Not only that she has a power to command whole of the south ocean. Now she became a fairy called Nyi Roro Kidul or The Queen of South Ocean who lived forever.

This is the most spectacular legend until now in the modern life even when you read this story, many people from Indonesia or from other country has admitted that they have met the beautiful fairy queen wear a traditional dress of Java. One of the famous beach hotel has made a suit room specially for her.

Cerita Patih Gajah Mada dan Pencuri Misterius Bahasa Inggris

Patih Gajah Mada dan Pencuri Misterius

The kingdom of Majapahit was at its peak in the 13th century. The wise king who ruled was King Hayam Wuruk. He was young, intelligent, and brave. He had a smart prime minister, his name was Gajah Mada. Besides that, he had smart and young aides and ministers. Under Hayam Wuruk Majapahit ruled over most of the present day Indonesia. Majapahit was very prosperous.

The palace of Majapahit was very big. It was very luxurious. Inside of the palace there is a special building called ‘Gedong Pusaka’. It was a house or more precisely a luxurious warehouse to store all the treasure of the kingdom. There were jewelries, gold crown, earrings, gold coins, gold Kris and many other luxurious things. That’s why the building was heavily guarded. There was a high wall surrounding it. Inside and outside the wall soldiers were on duty twenty four hours a day. All of them were fully armed. It was almost impossible for anyone at that time to get into the Gedong Pusaka.

One night the situation in the palace was very different. There was a thick, very thick fog surrounding the whole palace, even the capital. The temperature which usually warm was cool. This situation was very rare in Majapahit. The Javanese people (the people of Majapahit) interpreted this strange phenomenon as a signal from god. They were sure that a great event would take place.

King Hayam Wuruk immediately called Gajah Mada. After a shirt discussion they decided to call the army generals. The king told the generals to put the army in the highest alert. Soon they ordered all of their boys in highest alert. The number of soldier who guarded the palace was doubled. The king and the prime minister stay awoke until midnight. Every hour they received report that everything was OK. The night was very quiet. So at midnight the king and Gajah Mada were asleep.

But when it was almost dawn something happened. A group of soldier who guarded the front gate of Gedong Pusaka reported to the army general that the door of Gedong Pusaka was opened. When they checked inside they found that the collection of gold coins was missing. The army chief immediately reported the event to Prime Minister Gajah Mada.

Gajah Mada immediately ordered that the commander of the guard was arrested. Without waiting for the sun to arise he questioned the commander. Gajah Mada thought that the commander was the one responsible for the lost of the cold coins. But the commander refused. He was sure that someone else did the wrong doing. When the king woke up Gajah Mada reported to him. But the king was silent.

The following night the situation was very different. The sky was clear and the temperature was warm. Although tension had diminished Gajah Mada ordered the army to stay in highest alert. That time the king was ignorant. The night was very serene. Suddenly at midnight the soldiers who guarded at the front gate of Gedong Pusaka was shocked when they saw someone ran very fast from it. Soon they chased him. But he ran very fast and soon the soldiers lost him. However they could see that he ran toward the king’s compound.

Their commander soon reported to Gajah Mada who immediately came. He ordered the soldiers to siege the king’s compound. He also ordered more soldiers to surround it. Amazingly the king’s compound was covered with cloud. Nobody saw where it came from but suddenly thick cloud surrounded it. The fog was so thick that nobody could see the king’s compound. The cloud even grew larger that finally the whole palace was covered by cloud.

The next morning the people of Majapahit was shocked to see the strange phenomenon. The sky was clear and the sun was shining bright but the palace was covered by cloud. No one could see it. The king never came out of the palace.

Soon rumors spread that the thief was hiding inside the king’s compound in the palace. The army kept surrounding it. They cried to tell the thief to surrender. Suddenly someone threw stones to the soldiers. Some of them were hurt. Then Gajah Mada got in to see the king. When he came from inside the palace he told soldiers that the king was all right and that the thief was not there. After that rumor spread that the thief was ghost, not human being. Months later the mystery thief had not arrested and the palace was still cloudy. Years later the thief remained a mystery and he palace remained cloudy. Majapahit suffered from a great loss. It was a serious blow to the economy. Several years later the kingdom of Majapahit collapsed.

Today territory of Majapahit becomes Indonesia. People miss the glory of Majapahit. They are dreaming that the glorious Majapahit will return someday.

Cerita Jaka Tarub Dan 7 Bidadari Bahasa Inggris

Jaka Tarub Dan 7 Bidadari

Once upon a time there was a widow who lived in the village of Dadapan. She had a son whose name was Joko Tarup. Dadapan village was close to a wood so Joko Tarup liked to go to the wood. He liked hunting for animals with his blowpipe.

One day when he was in the wood he saw a beautiful rainbow and he saw seven angels went down through it. He came closer and searched for them. The seven angels were swimming and taking a bath in a lake. Joko Tarup looked at them while hiding behind trees. When they had finished taking a bath, they flew through the rainbow to heaven.

The next day he saw the same thing again. This time Joko Tarup had an idea. He searched for their dress and when he found them he took one of them. As they had finished swimming and taking a bath, they looked for their dress. One of them could not find her dress. Her friends had to come back to heaven so they left her. She was crying while staying in the water. Joko Tarup approached her.

‘Why are you crying lady?’

‘I lose my dress so I cannot go home’

‘Where is your home?’

‘I live in heaven. I’m an angel. My name is Nawang Wulan. But I lose my dress so I cannot fly anymore’

‘I you don’t mind I will take my mother’s dress for you’

‘OK, please do’

‘Wait for me here, I’ll be back’

Then Joko Tarup went home to take her mother’s dress and gave it to Nawang Wulan. He asked her to stay at her house with his mother. Not long after that Joko Tarup married Nawang Wulan.

As an angel Nawang Wulan had spiritual power. She had ability which far above human being. She could cook rice with just a bar of rice and when it had done the bowl will be full of rice. But there was one condition. The bowl must not be opened before it has done. Joko Tarup was very surprised with her wife’s ability. He was very curious about it. So when Nawang Wulan was away he opened the bowl. Consequently Nawang’s spiritual power disappeared. She had to cook as ordinary human being.

Several months later Nawang Wulan gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Her name was Nawang Sih. The birth of Nawang Sih added happiness to Joko Tarup and Nawang Wulan.

Since Nawang Wulan could not cook efficiently anymore, she needed more rice than usual. The stock of rice in their store room diminished rapidly. Then one day when she took rice there she was very surprised. Nawang Wulan found her angel dress. It was hidden there under piles of rice. She immediately wore it and talked to Joko Tarup.

‘My dear husband, now I know what you did to me’

‘Forgive me, my dear. I admit that I did this because I love you’

‘I love you too. But now I find my dress. I must come back to heaven. I am an angel. My place is not here. I have to go now’.

‘How about Nawang Sih? She needs you’

‘I will leave her but don’t worry. I will take care of her. Anytime she needs me I will be here. For that purpose please build a tower. When Nawang Sih cries put her there then call my name. I will come immediately. But I will be invisible to you. Good bye dear’

Then Joko Tarup built a tower behind his house. Every time Nawang Sih cried he would put her there. Nawang Wulan would come and take care of Nawang Sih.

Cerita Damar Wulan Bahasa Inggris

Damar Wulan

Damar Wulan was born in the village of Paluh Amba, not far from the capital city of Majapahit. He was the son of Udara, the former prime minister of Majapahit. Since his father had retired his family live in a quiet and prosperous village outside the capital. Damar was a smart boy so he could easily learned the lessons his father taught him. He learned martial art, religion, politics, and literature. He was very good at all those subjects. When his father thought that he is mature enough, he asked Damar to find job in Majapahit. He told Damar to apply for a job at the Prime Minister's office. He hoped that his close relation with the new prime minister would help him get the prime minister's attention. Furthermore Damar was a smart boy so his father was sure Damar was capable to do any job.

Damar was very confident he would get a good position at the prime minister's office. Early morning he left his village. At midday he got to Majapahit and he directly went to the prime minister's house. Prime Minister Logender was his name. The guards sarcastically questioned him when he told them he would see the prime minister.

'Who do you think you are?'

'I am Damar Wulan. I am the son of the former prime minister Udara. My father told me to see the prime minister here'

'If you think you can impress us by telling us about your father, you are completely wrong poor boy. The son of a prime minister would never go anywhere on foot'

'But, that's true. My father told me to find job here'

'Listen poor boy, the prime minister is a very busy person. He does not have time for job seeker like you. But if you need a job, there is a vacant position here. Let me report my chief'

Then the soldier reported to his superior. After that someone called Damar to get into the commander's chamber. He told Damar that the prime minister's office needed several boys to take care of the horses. Damar was surprised because he expected clerical job but then he accepted the offer. Since that day he lived in a simple hut behind the prime minister's house.

Damar did a good job so his superior was satisfied with him. He was also very sociable. Soon he had a good relationship with the prime minister and his family. The prime minister had two sons - Layang Seto and Layang Kumitir and a daughter - Anjasmoro. His sons were very arrogant and lazy. They treated Damar cruelly. They wanted Damar to do whatever they want. Every body hated them but nobody dare to express their feeling. Anjasmoro, on the other hand, liked Damar very much. Gradually she fell in love to Damar. So did Damar. They had a secret love. When Layang Seto and Layang Kumitir knew what happened to Damar and Anjasmoro, they were very angry. They treated Damar more and more cruelly.

At the time the kingdom of Majapahit faced a very serious problem because of the rebellion of Menak Jinggo. He was a half brother of the Queen Kecono Wungu. He was a prince of Majapahit and a highly respected general of the Majapahit army. For his great achievement for his country his father appointed him as the ruler for the kingdom of Blambangan, a vassal state under Majapahit. When his father passed away he was sure that he would become the successor. But he was very disappointed when his father appointed his sister instead. He thought that he was more capable than Kencono Wungu so he rebelled.

Menak Jinggo proved to be a good general. Under his leadership the Blambangan army could win several battles with Majapahit army. The territory of Majapahit one by one fell to Blambangan. At the time the morale of the Majapahit army was already down. They were not sure that they could win the war. So the queen and the prime minister met everyday to discuss the worsening situation. Some weeks went by but still they did not have any ideas to solve the problem. Every report they received about the war was only about the defeat of the Majapahit army.

Prime Minister Logender was shocked when his wife reported to him about the affair of Anjasmoro and Damar Wulan. For a highly respected person like him, it was a very serious blow to his ego. He was a very respectable person while his daughter dated with a poor boy. It was a serious humiliation. He could not accept it. This fact made him very angry. He thought very hard to find a solution. Suddenly an idea struck his sharp mind when he was meditating at midnight.

Early in the morning he went to the palace and asked the queen for an audience. Then he explained his plan.

'Your Majesty, last night I had an idea'

'Tell me about it'

'Our army could not win because we apply a wrong strategy. The Blambangan army is very good at a frontal open warfare like that. Furthermore our army's morale is now down. So we have to avoid open warfare. Since now on we have to launch a new tactics of secret operation. We must send a small army unit to kill Menak Jinggo secretly'

'Who will do that?'

'I have a body guard. His skill in martial art is excellent. He is very capable at individual fight. So he is ready for this duty. I am sure he is the right person'

'OK, I think you are right. Send him as soon as possible to Blambangan. If he can do his job well I will give him great reward'

When Logender got home he called Damar Wulan immediately. He asked him about his martial art skill. Damar said he had mastered some fighting skill. His father had trained him Pencak Silat, the Indonesian martial art. As a result, he was very skillful at using sword, lance, as well as empty hand fighting technique. Then Logender asked him to fight both Layang Seto and Layang Kumitir. Both of them fought emotionally since they hated Damar very much. But Damar was smart, skillful, strong and tough. In just several minutes he could beat both of them without difficulty. Logender was angry but also satisfied since he found a way to get rid of both problems - his home and his country.

'Damar, you are a great fighter. I am very proud of you. And that's why you will receive a great honor to fight for your country. Now there is a rebellion in Majapahit. The king of Blambangan has done a crime. His name is Menak Jinggo. Find him in his palace and Blambangan and kill him. Are you ready?'

'I am ready any time Sir'

'Good. Today you have to prepare everything and tomorrow you must leave for Blambangan secretly. Do not tell any one about this duty. Not even Anjasmoro. Don't be afraid because the Majapahit army will fully support you. They will back you and provide all your needs. When you can kill Menak Jinggo behead him and bring his head here. If you can do this job well you will be promoted to a high position as the commander of Majapahit army'

'Yes, Sir. I am very glad to receive this order. I will do my best'

The next day, very early in the morning Damar Wulan left Majapahit alone. Meanwhile Prime Minister Logender had implemented his own plan. He prepared a small army unit under the leadership of his two sons. They went behind Damar in a distant so that Damar did not notice them. They went secretly so no one knew it. Their task was not to protect Damar but to kill him and seize the head of Menak Jinggo if he could kill Menak Jinggo. But if Damar was killed then they had nothing to do.

Several days later Damar Wulan arrived in Blambangan. The Majapahit army kept on spying on him. They were surprised to see Damar did not directly attack the palace. He applied for a job instead. Once again he was accepted to work in the palace to take care of the horses. Everybody including the king Menak Jinggo liked him because he was very polite and he did his job well. He was also very handsome that two of the king's wife fell in love with him. Waito and Puyengan were the wives of King Menak Jinggo.

As everybody trusted him, it was easy for Damar to search the palace. He knew where Menak Jinggo lived. One night he secretly jumped the palace wall to kill the king. Finally he was inside the king's bedroom. But unfortunately the king was ready to welcome him. A small army unit was there to arrest him. He was no match for Menak Jinggo. But Menak Jinggo was a smart person. He did not kill Damar instantly. He wanted to gather information from him. So he ordered his guards.

'Don't kill him. Let him alive, treat him well. I will question him tomorrow'.
'Yes, Your Majesty'

He ordered his men to treat him well. He even let Waito and Puyengan to see Damar. By doing so he hoped that Damar would give him valuable information. But Damar was also a smart person. He dated Waito and Puyengan and he asked them the way to kill Menak Jinggo. Since the two women loved Damar they revealed a secret.

'Nobody can hurt him. He is a tough guy and he is protected by god. God gave him a secret weapon called Wesi Kuning'
'What is that?'

'That's a golden amulet. It is just a small amulet, as small as a thumb but it is very powerful. Its shape is like a stick. It is stored in his bedroom'
'He is a dangerous man. We have to stop him. Could you help me find his amulet?

'I will help you if you marry me'

'Sure I will marry both of you as soon as I can arrest him'
When their turn to amuse the king arrived Waito and Puyengan could get into the kings chamber. They used that opportunity to steal the amulet. Then they gave it to Damar Wulan. Menak Jinggo did not realize their conspiracy. When the night was very quiet they opened the door for Damar Wulan. There was a fight but it was too late for Menak Jinggo. The sudden attack did not give him much chance to survive. Consequently Damar could beat his enemy and Menak Jinggo was beheaded.

Damar Wulan immediately left Blambangan palace that night while promising Waito and Puyengan to be back after he received the rewa.

Cerita Beauty And The Beast

Beauty And The Beast

Once upon a time as a merchant set off for market, he asked each of his three daughters what she would like as a present on his return. The first daughter wanted a brocade dress, the second a pearl necklace, but the third, whose name was Beauty, the youngest, prettiest and sweetest of them all, said to her father:

"All I'd like is a rose you've picked specially for me!"

When the merchant had finished his business, he set off for home. However, a sudden storm blew up, and his horse could hardly make headway in the howling gale. Cold and weary, the merchant had lost all hope of reaching an inn when he suddenly noticed a bright light shining in the middle of a wood. As he drew near, he saw that it was a castle, bathed in light.

"I hope I'll find shelter there for the night," he said to himself.

When he reached the door, he saw it was open, but though he shouted, nobody came to greet him. Plucking up courage, he went inside, still calling out to attract attention. On a table in the main hall, a splendid dinner lay already served. The merchant lingered, still shouting for the owner of the castle. But no one came, and so the starving merchant sat down to a hearty meal.

Overcome by curiosity, he ventured upstairs, where the corridor led into magnificent rooms and halls. A fire crackled in the first room and a soft bed looked very inviting. It was now late, and the merchant could not resist. He lay down on the bed and fell fast asleep.

When he woke next morning, an unknown hand had placed a mug of steaming coffee and some fruit by his bedside. The merchant had breakfast and after tidying himself up, went downstairs to thank his generous host. But, as on the evening before, there was nobody in sight. Shaking his head in wonder at the strangeness of it all, he went towards the garden where he had left his horse, tethered to a tree.

Suddenly, a large rose bush caught his eye. Remembering his promise to Beauty, he bent down to pick a rose. Instantly, out of the rose garden, sprang a horrible beast, wearing splendid clothes. Two bloodshot eyes, gleaming angrily, glared at him and a deep, terrifying voice growled:

"Ungrateful man! I gave you shelter, you ate at my table and slept in my own bed, but now all the thanks I get is the theft of my favorite flowers! I shall put you to death for this slight!"

Trembling with fear, the merchant fell on his knees before the Beast. "Forgive me! Forgive me! Don't kill me! I'll do anything you say! The rose wasn't for me, it was for my daughter Beauty. I promised to bring her back a rose from my journey!"

The Beast dropped the paw it had clamped on the unhappy merchant.

"I shall spare your life, but on one condition, that you bring me your daughter!" The terror-stricken merchant, faced with certain death if he did not obey, promised that he would do so. When he reached home in tears, his three daughters ran to greet him. After he had told them of his dreadful adventure, Beauty put his mind at rest immediately.

"Dear father, I'd do anything for you! Don't worry, you'll be able to keep your promise and save your life! Take me to the castle. I'll stay there in your place!" The merchant hugged his daughter.

"I never did doubt your love for me. For the moment I can only thank you for saving my life." So Beauty was led to the castle. The Beast, however, had quite an unexpected greeting for the girl. Instead of menacing doom as it had done with her father, it was surprisingly pleasant.

In the beginning, Beauty was frightened of the Beast, and shuddered at the sight of it. Then she found that, in spite of the monster's awful head, her horror of it was gradually fading as time went by.

She had one of the finest rooms in the Castle, and sat for hours, embroidering in front of the fire. And the Beast would sit, for hours on end, only a short distance away, silently gazing at her. Then it started to say a few kind words, till in the end, Beauty was amazed to discover that she was actually enjoying its conversation. The days passed, and Beauty and the Beast became good friends.

Then one day, the Beast asked the girl to be his wife. Taken by surprise, Beauty did not know what to say. Marry such an ugly monster? She would rather die! But she did not want to hurt the feelings of one who, after all, had been kind to her. And she remembered too that she owed it her own life as well as her father's.

"I really can't say yes," she began shakily. "I'd so much like to..." The Beast interrupted her with an abrupt gesture.

"I quite understand! And I'm not offended by your refusal!" Life went on as usual, and nothing further was said.

One day, the Beast presented Beauty with a magnificent magic mirror. When Beauty peeped into it, she could see her family, far away.

"You won't feel so lonely now," were the words that accompanied the gift. Beauty stared for hours at her distant family. Then she began to feel worried. One day, the Beast found her weeping beside the magic mirror.

"What's wrong?" he asked, kindly as always.

"My father is gravely ill and close to dying! Oh, how I wish I could see him again, before it's too late!" But the Beast only shook its head. "No! You will never leave this castle!" And off it stalked in a rage.

However, a little later, it returned and spoke solemnly to the girl.

"If you swear that you will return here in seven days time, I'll let you go and visit your father!" Beauty threw herself at the Beast's feet in delight. "I swear! I swear I will! How kind you are! You've made a loving daughter so happy!" In reality, the merchant had fallen ill from a broken heart at knowing his daughter was being kept prisoner. When he embraced her again, he was soon on the road to recovery.

Beauty stayed beside him for hours on end, describing her life at the Castle, and explaining that the Beast was really good and kind. The days flashed past, and at last the merchant was able to leave his bed. He was completely well again. Beauty was happy at last. However, she had failed to notice that seven days had gone by. Then one night she woke from a terrible nightmare. She had dreamt that the Beast was dying and calling for her, twisting in agony.

"Come back! Come back to me!" it was pleading. The solemn promise she had made drove her to leave home immediately. "Hurry! Hurry, good horse!" she said, whipping her steed onwards towards the castle, afraid that she might arrive too late. She rushed up the stairs, calling, but there was no reply. Her heart in her mouth, Beauty ran into the garden and there crouched the Beast, its eyes shut, as though dead. Beauty threw herself at it and hugged it tightly.

"Don't die! Don't die! I'll marry you . . ." At these words, a miracle took place. The Beast's ugly snout turned magically into the face of a handsome young man. "How I've been longing for this moment!" he said. "I was suffering in silence, and couldn't tell my frightful secret. An evil witch turned me into a monster and only the love of a maiden willing to accept me as I was, could transform me back into my real self. My dearest! I'll be so happy if you'll marry me." The wedding took place shortly after and, from that day on, the young Prince would have nothing but roses in his gardens. And that's why, to this day, the castle is known as the Castle of the Rose.

The Legend Of Lutung Kasarung

Lutung Kasarung 

A long time ago in west Java there was a kingdom. The king was Prabu Tapak Agung. He had two beautiful daughters and no son. Purba Rarang was his first daughter, and Purba Sari was his second daughter. When the king was about to pass away he gave the throne to his second daughter, Purba Sari. Purba Rarang was very disappointed. She thought that she deserve to replace her father as the ruler. She discussed the situation with her fiancé, Indrajaya.

Then she got an evil idea. She asked a witch to cast a spell to Purba Sari. Soon after that Purba Sari had a strange skin disease. There were black dots on her skin. She also had skin rash. Consequently Purba Rarang had a reason to tell people that her sister had a great sin and she was cursed by god. She told her people that such a person did not qualify to be a leader.

After that she ordered the army to send Purba Sari to a wood and had her exiled there. The army then built a wooden house for Purba Sari in a wood. So Purba Sari lived in the wood. As there were many animals in the wood she got along with them well.

Her best friend was a black monkey. She called the monkey Lutung Kasarung. Lutung was very attentive and very kind to her. He gave fruits and vegetables to Purba Sari.

Lutung Kasarung was not an ordinary monkey. He often meditates like human being. One night when there was a full moon he sat meditating. He was praying to God. Suddenly a spring emerged beside Lutung. It became bigger and bigger and finally it became a lake. The water was very clear and aromatic.

The next day Lutung came to see Purba Sari. He asked her to follow him. Lutung took her to the lake and asked her to take a bath. When Purba Sari took bath in the lake something strange happened. Her skin disease was gone and her smooth fair skin was back. Purba Sari was very happy and thankful to God.

Meanwhile Purba Rarang who lived in the palace wanted to see her sister. So she went to the wood with her soldiers. She was very surprised when she saw Purba Sari was in good condition and looked beautiful. Her evil heart led her to find a way to beat her sister. Then she asked her sister to measure the length of their hair. The one who had the longest hair would win. Purba Sari’s hair proved to be longer than Purba Rarang’s.

Purba Rarang was very jealous to her sister. She thought hard to find a way to beat Purba Sari. Then she got another idea. She asked her sister to compare their fiancé. Purba Rarang was sure that she would win because Indra Jaya was very handsome. She was sure that Purba Sari did not have any fiancé. When Purba Rarang showed Indra Jaya, Purba Sari was confused. So she just appointed Lutung Kasarung as her fiancé.

Purba Rarang laughed out loud.

‘So your fiancé is a monkey?’

Lutung Kasarung then sat on the ground. He was meditating and praying to God. Then amazingly he changed into a very handsome man. Initially Lutung Kasarung was a handsome man who was punished by God and became a monkey. After some years that day he got clemency from God and he became human being again.

Purba Rarang was very surprised. He had no choice but to accept that her sister was better than her. She asked for apology. Purba Sari gave her apology. After that they went back to palace. Purba Sari became the queen and married to Lutung Kasarung.

The Legend Of Telaga Warna

Telaga Warna

Long, long ago there was a kingdom in West Java. The kingdom was ruled by a king. People called their king His Majesty Prabu. Prabu was a kind and wise king. No wonder if that country was prosperous. There’s no hunger in this kingdom.

It was a very happy condition. But it was a pity that Prabu and his queen hadn’t got any children. It made the royal couple very, very sad. Some old men and women who was respected by Prabu suggested the king to adopt a child. But Prabu and the queen didn’t agree. “No, thank you. But for us, our own daughter or son is better than adopted children.”

The queen was very sad. She often cried. That was why Prabu decided to go. He went to the jungle. There he prayed to God. Everyday he begged for a child. His dream came true. A few months later, the queen got pregnant. All people in the kingdom felt happy. They sent many presents to the palace to express their happiness.

Nine months later a princess was born. People sent their presents again as a gift to a little princess. This baby grew as a beautiful teenager then.

Prabu and Queen loved their daughter so much. They gave what ever she wanted. It made Princess a very spoiled girl. When her wish couldn’t be realized, she became very angry. She even said bad things often. A true princess wouldn’t do that. Even though the princess behaved badly, her parents loved her, so did the people in that kingdom.

Day by day, the princess grew more beautiful. No girls could compare with her. In a few days, Princess would be 17 years old. So, people of that kingdom went to palace. They brought many presents for her. Their presents gift were very beautiful. Prabu collected the presents. There were really many presents. Then Prabu stored them in a building. Some times he could take them to give to his people.

Prabu only took some gold and jewels. Then she brought them to the goldsmith. “Please make a beautiful necklace for my daughter,” said Prabu. “My pleasure, Your Majesty,” the goldsmith replied. The goldsmith worked with all his heart and his ability. He wanted to create the most beautiful necklace in the world because he loved his princess.

The birthday came. People gathered in the palace field. When Prabu and queen appeared, people welcomed them happily. Prabu and his wife waved to their beloved people.

Cheers were louder and louder when the princess appeared with her fabulous pretty face. Everybody admired her beauty. Prabu got up from his chair. A lady gave him a small and glamorous pillow. A wonderful necklace was on it. Prabu took that necklace. “My beloved daughter, today I give this necklace to you. This necklace is a gift from people in this country. They love you so much. They presented it for you to express their happiness, because you have growing to a woman. Please, wear this necklace,” said Prabu.

Princess accepted the necklace. She looked at the necklace in a glance. “I don’t want to accept it! It’s ugly!” shouted the princess. Then she threw the necklace. The beautiful necklace was broken. The gold and jewels were spread out on the floor

Everybody couldn’t say anything. They never thought that their beloved princess would do that cruel thing. Nobody spoke. In their silence people heard the queen crying. Every woman felt sad and began crying too. Then everybody was crying.

Then there was a miracle. Earth was crying. Suddenly, from the under ground, a spring emerged. It made a pool of water. The palace was getting full. Soon the place became a big lake. The lake sank all of the kingdom.

Nowadays the water on that lake is not as full as before. There is only a small lake now. People called the lake “Talaga Warna”. It is mean “Lake of Colour”. It’s located in Puncak, West Java. On a bright day, the lake is full of colour. So beautiful and amazing. These colors come from shadows of forest, plants, flowers, and sky around the lake. But some people said that the colours are from the princess’s necklace, which spreads at the bottom of the lake.

The Story Of Aji Saka

Aji Saka

A long long time ago in the island of Java there was a kingdom of Medang Kamulan. The land of Java was very fertile and productive. Most of the island of Java are arable. And water are abundant. Java was very rich with plants. They had almost all fruits in the world. All year long the weather is always sunny. As a result farmers can grow any kinds of fruits, vegetable and all kinds of plant all year long. The land of Java was also very rich with gold and many kinds of mineral. Many people earned their living by working on gold mine. Since Java was also rich with mine they also made weapons like sword, lance, trident etc. They sold those weapons to China, India and many other countries. But if you think that the Javanese people were prosperous you are wrong.

At the time Java was ruled by a monster. His name was King Dewata Cengkar. He was a very cruel king. He ordered his people to pay tax on everything they had. Farmers had to pay tax on their land. Merchant had to pay high tax for their profit. Workers had to pay tax on their salary and wages. Even poor people had to pay tax. And if they had no money to pay tax then they had to work for the king without any payment. The money was not for the welfare of the people for for the king’s private matters. Worse still, the king’s official were very corrupt. When they took one hundred from the people then they gave only eighty for the king. They took it for themselves. As a result the king was very very rich while his people were very poor. Besides that the king also like to eat the flesh of human being! This habit started when he was a child. One day his mother made a mistake while she was cooking. She accidentally cut her thumb and blood spit on the food. Her maid then continue cooking without knowing that blood and a small piece of her mother’s flesh was in the food. When Dewata Cengkar ate the food he really like it. Then he found out the reason. Since that day he demanded the flesh of human being as part of his food. So his army killed people every day for his food. When he was adult and became king this habit grew. He ordered every chief of a district to sacrifice young and healthy people for the king to consume. Consequently the people of Java diminished. The people were restless but they did not dare to rebel because the king was very cruel and his army was very strong.

Until one day someone named Aji Saka came to Java. He had two guards. Their name were Dora and Sembada. Before coming to Java they landed in a small island in the north of Java, called Pulau Majeti. After several days there Aji Saka decided to go to Java. Aji Saka left his weapon, a powerful traditional dagger called Kris there. He told Dora to stay in the island of Majeti to guard his Kris. And he told Dora not to give it to any body else. After that he went to Java with Sembada.

Then he settled in Java as a merchant. The people of Java told him about his sorrow because of Dewata Cengkar’s cruelty and injustice rule. Aji Saka was very concerned to the sorrow of Javanese people. He told the chief of the district where he settled to send him as sacrifice when the king wanted to eat people. So the chief send him to king Dewata Cengkar.

As his turn came to became sacrifice, Aji Saka asked to say his last words to the king. The king granted him opportunity to speak.

‘O, great king of Java. The father of development of Java. The one who make people live prosperous life. The richest man in the world. I am honored to demand your Majesty one last wish before I die’

‘Tell me what you want’

“Your Majesty the great king of Java, I just want a piece of land, the same size as my turban’

‘I grant it. Just spread your turban’

Then Aji Saka put off his turban and put it on the ground. Aji Saka hold one side of it and asked the king to hold the other side. Amazingly it became larger so Dewata Cengkar had to step back. And everytime it became larger and larger so Dewata Cengkar finally stood at a beach. Aji Saka kincked him to the sea and and he died. The Javanese people were very happy to hear the cruel king had died. They were very thankful to Aji Saka and elected him as the new king of Java.

Aji Saka remembered that one of his guard, Dora was still in the island of Majeti. As he was a king, it was impossible for him to go there. So he told Sembada to go there and bring his kris back. So Sembada went to Majeti island. As he got there he told Dora that Aji Saka asked him to take the kris.

‘His Majesty King Aji Saka ordered me to take the kris to Java’

‘Maybe you make mistake. Aji Saka is our superiot but he is not a king. And he told me not to give his kris to any boldy else. It is my duty to guard it here until he came back and take it’

‘It is my duty to take the kris’.

‘It is my duty to guard it’

The dialogue came to a dead lock so the tension grew. Then it became on armed conflict. Finally both of them were killed. Several days later Aji Saka was shocked to hear the news that they both died. Since that day he created an alphabet, a Javanese alphabeth based on their story. Here is the alphabeth. It is like a poem. The poem consist of four lines. Each line consist of one sentence. Each sentence consist of a combination of characters. All characters are pronounced like hall. Here is the poem.

Ho (h) , No (n), co (c), ro (r) ko (k).

Do (d) to (t) so (s) wo (w) lo (l)

Po (p) do (d) jo (j) yo (y) nyo (ny)

Mo (m) go (g) bo (b) to (t) ngo (ng)

Hono = there is / there are in English, coroko = envoy

Do to so wolo = bring a letter / matter

Po do jo yo nyo = they are equally powerful

Mogo botongo = they are killed.

These characters are used widely by the Javanese, Sundanese, Balinese and Madurese. But today only very few people can read it. That’s why in the province of Yogyakarta it is taught at schools.

Cerita Putri Delima

Putri Delima

Dahulu kala ada seorang raja dan permaisuri, mereka mempunyai seorang putra mahkota. Raja dan permaisuri yang sudah lanjut usia ini sangat mencintai putra tunggalnya. Mereka menganjurkan agar putra mahkota segera mencari istri sehingga segera dapat menggantikan ayahnya.

Suatu hari, putra mahkota sedang makan ricotta, makanan kesayangannya. Ricotta adalah keju khas dari Italia dan berwarna putih. Karena lengah, jarinya luka tersayat pisau dan berdarah. Setetes darah jatuh ke atas potongan ricotta. Sambil memandang pada darah merah yang menetes di atas ricotta yang putih itu, timbul keinginannya yang aneh.

Tiba-tiba ia berkata pada ibundanya, “Wahai Ibunda, Ananda ingin mencari istri yang putih seperti ricotta dan merah seperti darah.”

Mendengar kata putra mahkota itu, ibundanya tertawa dan menjawab, “Anakku, mana ada putri yang putih seperti ricotta dan merah seperti darah.”

Namun, putra mahkota telah bertekad akan mencari seorang putri seperti yang diimpikannya. Betapapun kedua orang tuanya membujuk, ia tetap bersikeras. Suatu hari, putra mahkota memohon diri pada ibundanya untuk pergi berkelana. la berjanji tidak akan kembali sebelum mendapatkan istri yang sesuai dengan itnpiannya.

Berjalanlah putra mahkota menyeberangi sungai dan laut, merambah hutan dan mendaki gunung, berhari-hari dan bertahun- tahun. Pada suatu hari, di suatu tempat yang tenang ia bertemu dengan seorang wanita setengah tua yang menegurnya, “Wahai Pangeran, ke mana gerangan tujuan Tuan?”

“Aku mau mencari gadis yang putih seperti ricotta dan merah seperti darah.”

Wanita itu tercengang sambil menggeleng-gelengkan kepala. Tentu ia mengira kelana itu kurang waras. Putra mahkota meneruskan perjalanannya, tidak mengenal lelah dan payah. Suatu senja, ia bertemu dengan seorang nenek, “Hai orang muda, hendak ke mana kau gerangan?”

“Oh,Nenek, aku mencari putri idamanku yang putih seperti ricotta dan merah seperti darah.”

Nenek itu memandangnya sambil berkata, “Wahai orang muda, siapa yang putih tentunya tidak akan merah, sedang yang merah tentunya tidak mungkin putih.”

Mendengar kata nenek itu, putra mahkota hendak marah, tetapi nenek itu memegang tangannya. “Kalau kau memang yakin, pergi dan carilah putri idamanmu itu. Ambillah tiga buah delima ini sebagai bekal dari Nenek,” katanya sambil memberikan tiga buah delima ke tangan putra mahkota.

“Kupaslah buah ini dan lihat isinya. Namun, ada syarat yang harus kau patuhi. Kau boleh membuka kalau sudah sampai di sebuah telaga.”

Putra mahkota menerima buah delima sambil mengucapkan terima kasih dan meneruskan perjalanan. Tak lama kemudian, ia sampai di dekat sebuah telaga. la pun membuka sebuah delima. Tiba-tiba dari dalamnya muncul seorang gadis cantik yang putih seperti ricotta dan merah seperti darah. Putra mahkota tercengang penuh bahagia.

la baru sadar ketika mendengar keluhan gadis cantik itu, sambil memohon pada putra mahkota:

“Wahai orang muda ambilkan air sebab tanpa air aku akan mati lemas.”

Cepat-cepat putra mahkota berlari ke pinggir danau dan menyiduk air dengan kedua tangannya. Ketika ia kembali, sang gadis telah mati lemas. Kiranya ia sudah terlambat.

Dengan sedih diambilnya buah delima yang kedua dan dikupasnya dengan hati-hati. Dari dalamnya muncul pula seorang gadis yang lebih cantik daripada gadis pertama. Gadis ini merintih dan memohon pada putra mahkota untuk cepat-cepat mengambilkan air minum, kalau tidak ia akan mati kehausan. Putra mahkota berlari secepat-cepatnya dan menyiduk air dari telaga. Namun, ketika kembali, gadis itu telah mati kehausan. Putra mahkota menangis dan hampir putus asa.

Diambilnya buah delima yang ketiga dan dibukanya. Dari dalamnya keluar pula seorang gadis yang jauh lebih cantik daripada kedua gadis yang sebelumnya. Tanpa menunggu lagi, putra mahkota berlari, menyiduk air dan dicipratkannya air telaga ke muka gadis itu. Sang gadis menarik napas dan tersenyum, lalu mengucapkan terima kasih.

Gadis itu tersipu-sipu menutupi tubuhnya dengan rambutnya yang panjang terurai. Sebagaimana bayi yang baru lahir, tubuh gadis ini tidak ditutupi sehelai benang pun.

Putra mahkota segera membuka mantel dan menyelimutkannya ke tubuh gadis itu. Sambil berpikir, ia memandang ke sekeliling telaga, lalu berkata, “Wahai gadis, lihatlah, di tepi telaga ini ada pohon yang rindang, naik dan duduklah di cabang pohon. Tunggu aku di sana. Aku akan pergi mengambil pakaian dan kereta untuk membawamu ke istana ayahku”

Dengan patuh, gadis itu memanjat pohon dan duduk pada dahan yang kuat dan rindang.

Alkisah, setiap hari rupanya orang di sekitar telaga itu datang untuk mengambil air. Salah seorang di antaranya adalah si Saracina, seorang gadis yang berwajah jelek. la bekerja di rumah seorang saudagar. Saudagar dan istrinya ini termasyhur sangat kikir. Setiap hari, Saracina harus mengambil air dari telaga itu.

Suatu hari, ketika ia datang untuk mengisi kendi airnya, dilihatnya di permukaan air telaga yang jernih itu ada bayangan wajah seorang gadis yang sangat cantik.

la berkata dalam hati, “Oh, bagaimana mungkin, seorang gadis yang berwajah cantik seperti aku ini harus mengambil air setiap hari untuk saudagar kikir itu.” Lalu, dihempaskannya kendi airnya sampai pecah dan cepat-cepat pulang.

Sesampai di rumah, istri saudagar bertanya, “Mana air dan kendinya?”

Istri saudagar sangat marah mendengar jawaban Saracina dan rnemerintahkan untuk kembali ke telaga mengambil air. Setiba di telaga, Saracina melihat lagi bayangan wajah cantik di permukaan air. “Oh, rupanya memang aku cantik sekali. Ah, peduli apa aku akan istri saudagar yang cerewet itu.” Lalu, dihempaskannya lagi kendi berisi air itu.

Demikianlah berkali-kali terjadi, sampai akhirnya gadis di atas pohon itu tak sampai hati lalu menegurnya.

Saracina kaget sekali dan memandang ke atas pohon sambil mendengarkan kisah gadis itu. Dengan marah, Saracina berkata, Mengapa tidak dari tadi kau mengatakannya, kau tunggu sampai aku memecahkan beberapa kendi dan menerima makian istri saudagar!”

Sambil memandang terus pada gadis itu, Saracina meneruskan, “Tapi kau memang cantik sekali, cantik sekali.”

Kemudian, timbul niat jahat dalam hati Saracina. “Turunlah wahai gadis cantik,” katanya, “aku ingin memegang rambutmu yang indah, biarkan aku menyisir rambut itu.”

Semula gadis itu tak mau turun. la malu sebab tidak memakai pakaian. Namun, Saracina memohon terus, ‘‘Turunlah, supaya aku dapat menyisir rambutmu, pasti kau akan kelihatan lebih cantik lagi.”

Karena kasihan, gadis itu turun sambil menguraikan rambutnya yang panjang dan lebat untuk menutupi tubuhnya. Saracina mulai membelai rambutnya dan menyisirinya. Sebentar kemudian, segera ia mengambil tusuk konde yang dipakainya dan menusukkan ke dalam telinga gadis itu. Dari telinga itu keluar setetes darah, lalu gadis itu pun mati. Tetesan darah itu jatuh ke tanah. Begitu jatuh ke tanah, segera berubah menjadi seekor burung dara yang cepat-cepat terbang. Kemudian, Saracina pun cepat-cepat naik ke atas pohon dan duduk di atas dahan yang rindang.

Sementara itu, putra mahkota kembali dengan kereta kuda yang indah dan seperangkat pakaian untuk gadis impiannya. Dengan hati-hati, diturunkan dan dituntunnya gadis itu dari pohon. Tiba-tiba ia terkejut ketika melihat gadis yang dituntunnya itu ternyata berwajah jelek. Lalu ia bertanya, “Tadi kamu demikian putihnya seperti ricotta dan merah seperti darah. Mengapa sekarang kamu menjadi hitam?”

Saracina menjawab, “Wahai putra mahkota, matahari bersinar dengan teriknya sehingga kulitku menjadi hitam.”

Putra mahkota bertambah heran mendengar suara yang serak dan kasar, “Mengapa suaramu berubah?”

Saracina menjawab, “Oh, putra mahkota, tadi angin dingin bertiup dengan kencangnya sehingga suaraku menjadi serak.”

Putra mahkota pun memandang dengan mata terbelalak, “Oh, tadinya kau sangat cantik, mengapa sekarang menjadi begini?”

“Yah, angin kencang yang bertiup telah membawa terbang seluruh kecantikanku.”

Putra mahkota terpaksa percaya semua kata Saracina. Dinaikkannya Saracina ke atas kereta kuda dan dibawa ke istana. Sejak itu, Saracina tinggal di istana, diperlakukan dengan baik dan menjadi calon pengantin putra mahkota.

Sejak kejadian itu, rupanya setiap hari di jendela dapur istana selalu hinggap seekor burung dara yang menantikan kebaikan hati tukang masak. Tukang masak istana selalu memberinya sisa-sisa makanan.

Sambil menikmati makanan, burung itu selalu menanyakan pada tukang masak, apa gerangan yang sedang dilakukan putra mahkota dan calon pengantinnya. Tukang masak selalu menjawab bahwa mereka setiap hari makan, minum, dan tidur. Demikianlah setiap hari burung itu datang, makan, dan menanyakan kabar putra mahkota.

Suatu hari, tukang masak memutuskan untuk menceritakan pada putra mahkota tentang burung ajaib itu. Putra mahkota pun menyuruh tukang masak untuk menangkap dan membawa burung itu kepadanya. Malangnya, pada saat itu Saracina sedang duduk di balik pintu. Setelah mendengar pembicaraan antara tukang masak dan putra mahkota, tahulah ia bahwa burung itu tak lain penjelmaan gadis cantik yang dibunuhnya.

Sebelum tukang masak dapat menangkap burung itu, Saracina sudah siap, lalu menangkap dan menusuk burung dara itu sampai mati. Dari tusukan di tubuhnya keluar darah. Setetes darah telah jatuh ke tanah di dalam taman di samping jendela dapur. Pada tempat darah itu menetes, tumbuh sebatang pohon delima. Pohon delima ini tumbuh dengan subur dan buahnya sangat lebat.

Ternyata buah delima ini mempunyai khasiat. Barang siapa yang memakan buahnya, ia akan sembuh dari penyakit apa pun. Demikianlah setiap hari berdatangan orang yang meminta buah delima untuk obat, sampai akhirnya hanya tinggal satu buah saja.

Lalu Saracina berkata, “Buah yang satu ini akan kupertahankan untukku sendiri,” lalu disimpannya.

Suatu hari, datang seorang wanita tua yang meminta buah delima sebab suaminya sakit keras. Saracina tidak mau memberikan buah itu, sampai kemudian datang putra mahkota yang telah mendengar juga permohonan wanita tua itu. Lalu, ia berkata pada Saracina agar memberikan saja buah delimanya pada wanita tua itu. Sayangnya, sudah terlambat, karena setiba wanita itu di rumah, suaminya sudah meninggal.

Wanita itu pun memutuskan untuk menyimpan delima itu untuknya sendiri, lalu disimpan di dekat tungku di dapur.

Setiap hari, wanita ini pergi mengerjakan kebunnya. Pada saat ia keluar rumah, keluarlah seorang gadis cantik dari buah delima. Dibersihkan rumah nenek itu, dihidupkan api untuk berdiang, lalu ia memasak dan mencuci pakaian. Setelah selesai, segera ia masuk kembali ke dalam buah delima.

Demikianlah terjadi setiap hari. Nenek itu tentu saja heran, tetapi tidak tahu bagaimana semua ini bisa terjadi. Lama-kelamaan nenek itu mulai curiga dan memutuskan untuk mengintip.

Suatu hari, ia pura-pura pergi ke luar, tetapi kemudian kembali lagi ke dalam rumah dan bersembunyi di balik pintu. la pun melihat semua kejadian yang ajaib itu. Nenek sangat takjub melihat kecantikan gadis dan mulai menyayanginya. Setelah beberapa lama, Nenek bertekad untuk memergoki gadis itu.

Suatu hari, ketika gadis itu sibuk membersihkan rumah, Nenek keluar dari balik pintu. Gadis itu tak sempat lagi masuk kembali ke dalam buah delima. la terkejut dan ketakutan.

Nenek itu berkata, “Aku tidak mau menyakitimu dan aku tidak marah. Katakanlah dari mana kau datang dan bagaimana kau sampai ada di sini.”

Gadis itu menceritakan kisahnya. Sambil mendengarkan kisah gadis itu, Nenek cepat-cepat mengambil benang dan jarum rajutnya, lalu membuatkan pakaian sekadar menutupi tubuh gadis itu. Kemudian, gadis itu diberi nama Putri Delima.

Alkisah, tersebarlah berita tentang nenek yang tiba-tiba mempunyai cucu seorang gadis yang sangat cantik. Kabar angin itupun sampai ke telinga putra mahkota yang segera berangkat untuk melihat gadis itu. Setelah melihat gadis itu, putra mahkota terperanjat sebab gadis itu putih seperti ricotta dan merah seperti darah. Putra mahkota segera mendatangi rumah Nenek, lalu bertanya, tentang gadis itu. Melihat putra mahkota, Nenek ketakutan dan memohon, “Wahai Tuanku, jangan hamba dihukum.”

Putra mahkota memegang tangan Nenek sambil berkata, “Aku tidak akan menghukummu, aku hanya ingin mengetahui siapakah gadis itu.” Nenek pun menceritakan kisah gadis itu.

Putra mahkota tak ragu-ragu lagi, dialah putri idamannya. Diajaknya Nenek dan gadis itu ke istana. Dipanggilnya Saracina. Melihat gadis itu, Saracina tak berdaya dan menunduk ketakutan.

Putra mahkota yang baik hati itu berkata, “Aku tak mau munghukummu, biarlah kau menderita sendiri akibat perbuatanmu yang jahat.”

Akhirnya, putra mahkota berhasil mencapai keinginannya dan menikah dengan putri cantik yarig putih seperti ricotta dan merah seperti darah. Mereka hidup bahagia dan menggantikan orangtuanya menjadi raja dan ratu yang bijaksana.

Cerita Rakyat Jawa Barat Kesetiaan Seekor Harimau

Kesetiaan Seekor Harimau

Pada jaman dahulu, ada sepasang suami istri di Tasikmalaya. Kehidupan mereka cukup tentram dan bahagia. Pada suatu hari mereka menemukan seekor harimau kecil yang ditinggal mati oleh induknya. Harimau itu dipelihara oleh oleh mereka, dididik dan diperlakukan seperti anggota keluarga sendiri. Ternyata hewan itu tahu diri, ia menjadi penurut kepada sepasang suami istri itu. Harimau pun tumbuh menjadi besar, ia cerdas dan tangkas.Kemudian sepasang suami istri itu menamainya Si Loreng.

Demikian erat hubungan Si Loreng dengan suami istri itu sehingga ia dapat mengerti kata-kata yang diucapkan suami istri itu. Kalau ia disuruh pasti menurut dan mengerjakan perintah suami istri itu dengan baik.

Suami istri yang bekerja sebagai petani itu semakin berbahagia ketika lahir anak mereka seorang bayi laki-laki yang sehat dan menyenangkan. Inilah saat bahagia yang mereka tunggu-tunggu sejak lama. Apabila mereka pergi bekerja ke sawah, bayinya ditinggal di rumah. Si Loreng ditugaskan untuk menjaga keselamatan bayi itu. Hal ini berlangung selama beberapa bulan.

Sepasang suami istri itu semakin sayang kepada Si Loreng kerna hewan itu ternyata dapat dipercaya menjaga keselamatan anak mereka.

Pada suatu siang yang terik, istri petani pergi ke sawah untuk mengirim makanan kepada suaminya. Melihat kedatangan istrinya si suami segera menghentikan pekerjaannya. Disana si suami melahap makanan yang dihidangkan istrinya.

Baru saja setelah makan dan minum, tiba-tiba mereka mendengar suara gerengan si Loreng. Si Loreng nampak lari pontang-pantin melewati pematang sawah terus menuju dangau. Si Loreng mengibaskan ekorna berkali-kali dengan lembut sembari menggosok-gosokkan badannya kepada suami istri itu.

"Kakang, mengapa tingkah Si Loreng tidak seperti biasanya?", tanya si istri.

"Iya Istriku... Aneh sekali. Ada apa gerangan?" sahut sang suami.

"Kakang lihat!!! Mulut Si Loreng penuh dengan darah!!!!", teriak sang istri

Sang suami tersentak kaget, mulut Si Loreng memang berlumuran darah.

"Loreng...? Jangan-jangan kau telah menerkam anakku. Kau telah membunuh anakku!!" kata sang suami.

Si Loreng menggeleng-gelengkan kepalanya, sehingga darah dibagian mulutnya berhamburan. Si suami seketika meluap amarahnya. Ia segera mencabut goloknya dan memenggal kepala Si Loreng. Si Loreng tak menduga disreang secara tiba-tiba sehinnga ia pun tak sempat mengelak. Harimau itu mengeram kesakitan, ia tidak melawan, hanya sepasang matanya memandang kearah sepasang suami istri itu dengan penuh rasa penasaran. Karena hewan itu belum mati, si suami segera mengayunkan goloknyadengan penuh kemarahan hingga tiga kali. Putuslah leher Si Loreng dari badannya. Hewan itu tewas dengan cara mengenaskan.

"Kakang! Cepat kita Pulang!"

Mereka segera berlari ke rumahnya.

Sampai di rumah, mereka mendapati anaknya masih berada dalam ayunannya. Bayi itu nampak tertidur nyenyak. Dirabanya tubuh anak itu, diguncang-guncang tubuhnya. Si bayi pun terbangun dan tersenyum melihat kedatangan orang tuanya.

Kedua suami istri itu bersyukur karena bayinya selamat dan masih hidup. Setelah puas memandangi anaknya, mereka merasa lega atas keselamatan anaknya. Kini mereka celingukan, mengedarkan pandangan ke sekeliling ruangan. Perhatian mereka terpusat pada tempat sekitar ayunan anaknya bagian bawah. Mereka mendapatkan bangkai seekor ular yang sangat besar berlumuran darah tergeletak di bawah ayunan. Sadarlah kedua suami istri itu bahwa Si Loreng telah berjasa menyelamatkan jiwa anaknya dari bahaya, yaitu dari serangan ular besar.

Mereka sangat menyesal, terlebih sang suami karena telah tergesa-gesa membunuh harimau kesayangannya.

Kisah ini memberikan pelajaran kepada kita agar tidak bertindak gegabah. Berpikirlah dengan cermat sebelum mengambil tindakan yang nantinya merugikan.

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