A Lesson for the Tiger
Folklore from Central Java
A Long time ago, all animals had a king. Their king was the tiger. All animals were afraid of him. The tiger was the strongest among them. He was also very mean. He would hit any animals when they disobeyed him. They wanted to give the tiger a lesson.
"Listen friends, we need to find a way. The tiger is also cruel especially to weak animals like me," said the rabbit.
"I have an idea," said the mouse deer. "He is not clever as he looks. I think I can trick him," said the mouse deer.
"How will you trick him?" asked the rabbit.
"It's easy. You meet the tiger and tell him that I challenge him to fight."
"What? Are you kidding? You cannot win!" said the rabbit.
"Don't worry. I'm not really challenging him to fight. It's all part of the plan."
The mouse deer continued. "You just tell him that I challenge him to fight under that big tree," the mouse deer pointed to a big tree near them.
Later the rabbit met the tiger and he told the tiger about the challenge.
What!? Is it true?! OK, tell the mouse deer I accept his challenge. I will beat him so easily," said the tiger. He was so arrogant.
The tiger went to the big tree. He saw the mouse deer staring at the branches of the tree.
"Hey mouse deer! I heard you challenge me to fight. Come, fight now! screamed the tiger.
However, the mouse deer did not move at all. He kept on staring on the branches of the tree.
"Hey mouse deer! I heard you challenge me to fight. Come, fight now!" screamed the tiger.
However, the mouse deer did mot move at all. He kept on staring at the branches.
"Mouse deer! Are you deaf?" the tiger was really angry.
"Shh... Be quiet," said the mouse deer.
"What? You asked me to be quiet." The tiger really don't understand.
"Yes. Do you see that big round thing in that branch? last night I had a dream. An owl told me that the big round thing above us can give me power."
He continued. "The problem is I cannot jump or climb to grab that thing."
"Really? Are you sure?" asked the tiger. "Well, I am the king and I deserve that power. So I want you to get out of here otherwise I will hit you," said the tiger.
The mouse deer pretended to be scared. He immediately ran away. Meanwhile, the tiger climbed the tree. He was trying to grab the round thing in the branch of the tree.
The tiger did not know that the round thing was actually the beehive! And when he was finally able to grab the beehive, he fell down to the ground.
All the bees were angry. They all attacked and stung the tiger. The bees were angry because the tiger had already destroyed their home.
The tiger was in a great pain. He could not fight the bees. he asked for help, unfortunately, the animals did not want to help him.
The tiger finally went to the river. He swam and he survived. He realized the mistake. Since then he changed, he became a wise king.***
A Long time ago, all animals had a king. Their king was the tiger. All animals were afraid of him. The tiger was the strongest among them. He was also very mean. He would hit any animals when they disobeyed him. They wanted to give the tiger a lesson.
"Listen friends, we need to find a way. The tiger is also cruel especially to weak animals like me," said the rabbit.
"I have an idea," said the mouse deer. "He is not clever as he looks. I think I can trick him," said the mouse deer.
"How will you trick him?" asked the rabbit.
"It's easy. You meet the tiger and tell him that I challenge him to fight."
"What? Are you kidding? You cannot win!" said the rabbit.
"Don't worry. I'm not really challenging him to fight. It's all part of the plan."
The mouse deer continued. "You just tell him that I challenge him to fight under that big tree," the mouse deer pointed to a big tree near them.
Later the rabbit met the tiger and he told the tiger about the challenge.
What!? Is it true?! OK, tell the mouse deer I accept his challenge. I will beat him so easily," said the tiger. He was so arrogant.
The tiger went to the big tree. He saw the mouse deer staring at the branches of the tree.
"Hey mouse deer! I heard you challenge me to fight. Come, fight now! screamed the tiger.
However, the mouse deer did not move at all. He kept on staring on the branches of the tree.
"Hey mouse deer! I heard you challenge me to fight. Come, fight now!" screamed the tiger.
However, the mouse deer did mot move at all. He kept on staring at the branches.
"Mouse deer! Are you deaf?" the tiger was really angry.
"Shh... Be quiet," said the mouse deer.
"What? You asked me to be quiet." The tiger really don't understand.
"Yes. Do you see that big round thing in that branch? last night I had a dream. An owl told me that the big round thing above us can give me power."
He continued. "The problem is I cannot jump or climb to grab that thing."
"Really? Are you sure?" asked the tiger. "Well, I am the king and I deserve that power. So I want you to get out of here otherwise I will hit you," said the tiger.
The mouse deer pretended to be scared. He immediately ran away. Meanwhile, the tiger climbed the tree. He was trying to grab the round thing in the branch of the tree.
The tiger did not know that the round thing was actually the beehive! And when he was finally able to grab the beehive, he fell down to the ground.
All the bees were angry. They all attacked and stung the tiger. The bees were angry because the tiger had already destroyed their home.
The tiger was in a great pain. He could not fight the bees. he asked for help, unfortunately, the animals did not want to help him.
The tiger finally went to the river. He swam and he survived. He realized the mistake. Since then he changed, he became a wise king.***
Pak Dungu
Folklore from Central Java
PAK Dungu and his wife lived in a village. His name is Dungu because people thought that he is stupid. People always made fun of him.
One day, his wife asked Pak Dungu to sell their cow to the market. “Remember, don’t sell the cow less than 250 rupiahs,” said the wife to Pak Dungu.
Unfortunately, Pak Busuk heard their conversation. He is a bad man and always tricks people. He immediately went to his friend’s house, Pak Cokel and Pak Colek. Together, they were planning to trick Pak Dungu.
On the way to the market, Pak Dungu met Pak Busuk.
“Where are you going, Pak Dungu?” asked Pak Busuk.
“I want to go to the market. I want to sell my cow,” answered Pak Dungu.
“A cow? Are you kidding? This is not a cow, this is a goat.”
Pak Dungu was upset, and then continues walking. Later, he met Pak Cokel. He asked Pak Dungu the same question.
“How much?” asked Pak Cokel.
“Two hundred and fifty rupiahs.”
“Wow, that is too expensive for a goat,” said Pak Cokel.
Again Pak Dungu was upset. He thought Pak Cokel was crazy just like Pak Busuk. They thought his cow as a goat.
He ignored Pak Cokel and continued walking, and then he met Pak Colek. Again, Pak Colek said that Pak Dungu did not have a cow but a goat. Pak Dungu was confused. Because Pak Dungu did not want to lose a lot of money, he then sold his ‘goat’ to Pak Colek.
At home, his wife was angry. She asked Pak Dungu to find Pak Colek to get his cow back. Pak Dungu was very sad. He blamed himself for being stupid. He then prayed and then got an idea. He bought a small bell and told all the sellers to help him. Every time he ate or bought something at their places, Pak Dungu did not have to pay. All the sellers agree to help; they knew Pak Dungu was a kind man.
“Hello friends, I want to treat you. Let’s eat,” said Pak Dungu to Pak Busuk, Pak Cokel, and Pak Colek.
They all were eating and after they had finished, Pak Dungu rang the bell. When the seller heard the bell ring, he said, “Ok, you have already paid.”
They then walked to another seller. After Pak Dungu rang the bell, the seller said Pak Dungu had already paid.
Pak Busuk, Pak Cokel, and Pak Colek thought that Pak Dungu had a magic bell. So they asked Pak Dungu to sell it for them. Pak Dungu agreed but he said that the price was Rp250. They agreed and paid the money to Pak Dungu.
After they had the bell, they went to a big restaurant. They ordered a lot of food. After they were full, they rang the bell and left. They restaurant owner was angry. He called the police and said that they were criminals. They ate and did not want to pay. The police then sent them to the jail! ***
PAK Dungu and his wife lived in a village. His name is Dungu because people thought that he is stupid. People always made fun of him.
One day, his wife asked Pak Dungu to sell their cow to the market. “Remember, don’t sell the cow less than 250 rupiahs,” said the wife to Pak Dungu.
Unfortunately, Pak Busuk heard their conversation. He is a bad man and always tricks people. He immediately went to his friend’s house, Pak Cokel and Pak Colek. Together, they were planning to trick Pak Dungu.
On the way to the market, Pak Dungu met Pak Busuk.
“Where are you going, Pak Dungu?” asked Pak Busuk.
“I want to go to the market. I want to sell my cow,” answered Pak Dungu.
“A cow? Are you kidding? This is not a cow, this is a goat.”
Pak Dungu was upset, and then continues walking. Later, he met Pak Cokel. He asked Pak Dungu the same question.
“How much?” asked Pak Cokel.
“Two hundred and fifty rupiahs.”
“Wow, that is too expensive for a goat,” said Pak Cokel.
Again Pak Dungu was upset. He thought Pak Cokel was crazy just like Pak Busuk. They thought his cow as a goat.
He ignored Pak Cokel and continued walking, and then he met Pak Colek. Again, Pak Colek said that Pak Dungu did not have a cow but a goat. Pak Dungu was confused. Because Pak Dungu did not want to lose a lot of money, he then sold his ‘goat’ to Pak Colek.
At home, his wife was angry. She asked Pak Dungu to find Pak Colek to get his cow back. Pak Dungu was very sad. He blamed himself for being stupid. He then prayed and then got an idea. He bought a small bell and told all the sellers to help him. Every time he ate or bought something at their places, Pak Dungu did not have to pay. All the sellers agree to help; they knew Pak Dungu was a kind man.
“Hello friends, I want to treat you. Let’s eat,” said Pak Dungu to Pak Busuk, Pak Cokel, and Pak Colek.
They all were eating and after they had finished, Pak Dungu rang the bell. When the seller heard the bell ring, he said, “Ok, you have already paid.”
They then walked to another seller. After Pak Dungu rang the bell, the seller said Pak Dungu had already paid.
Pak Busuk, Pak Cokel, and Pak Colek thought that Pak Dungu had a magic bell. So they asked Pak Dungu to sell it for them. Pak Dungu agreed but he said that the price was Rp250. They agreed and paid the money to Pak Dungu.
After they had the bell, they went to a big restaurant. They ordered a lot of food. After they were full, they rang the bell and left. They restaurant owner was angry. He called the police and said that they were criminals. They ate and did not want to pay. The police then sent them to the jail! ***
Baturaden
A Folktale from Central Java
Suta is a servant in a kingdom in Central Java. His duty is to look after the king's horses. Suta likes to take a walk after doing his chores.
One day, when Suta is walking near a lake, he hears a woman screaming. So, Suta hurries to find the source of the scream. Finally, he arrives near a big tree. He sees the king's daughter screaming. Above her, there's a giant snake about a strike.
Suta was afraid, but he is worried about the princess. So he takes a big stick and hit the snake in its head. The snake hisses in pain and finally dies.
"Thank you, Suta. You've saved my life," says the princess.
"No needed for that princess. It's my duty as your father's servant to help you."
Since that day, Suta and the princess become good friends. They even fall in love with each other. So, the princess tells Suta to go to her father and ask his permission to marry her.
The king is furious to hear about their plans.
"Suta is just a servant while you are my daughter, the princess. It is unacceptable for you to marry a servant."
The princess is sad to hear her father's answer, especially after her father throws Suta in jail for having the nerve to ask her to marry him.
In jail, Suta is not given anything to eat or drink.
Hearing that, the princess makes a plan to break her lover out of jail. They succeed and they run far away. They rest near the river. There they get married and start a family.
The place where Suta and the princess raise their family is called Baturraden. Batur means servant while raden means noble. Nowadays, Baturaden is very interesting tourism spot. It's located at the foothill of Mount Slamet in Purwokerto, Central Java. ***
One day, when Suta is walking near a lake, he hears a woman screaming. So, Suta hurries to find the source of the scream. Finally, he arrives near a big tree. He sees the king's daughter screaming. Above her, there's a giant snake about a strike.
Suta was afraid, but he is worried about the princess. So he takes a big stick and hit the snake in its head. The snake hisses in pain and finally dies.
"Thank you, Suta. You've saved my life," says the princess.
"No needed for that princess. It's my duty as your father's servant to help you."
Since that day, Suta and the princess become good friends. They even fall in love with each other. So, the princess tells Suta to go to her father and ask his permission to marry her.
The king is furious to hear about their plans.
"Suta is just a servant while you are my daughter, the princess. It is unacceptable for you to marry a servant."
The princess is sad to hear her father's answer, especially after her father throws Suta in jail for having the nerve to ask her to marry him.
In jail, Suta is not given anything to eat or drink.
Hearing that, the princess makes a plan to break her lover out of jail. They succeed and they run far away. They rest near the river. There they get married and start a family.
The place where Suta and the princess raise their family is called Baturraden. Batur means servant while raden means noble. Nowadays, Baturaden is very interesting tourism spot. It's located at the foothill of Mount Slamet in Purwokerto, Central Java. ***
Mouse Deer and Tiger
Folklore from Central Java
LONG Time ago in a jungle of Java, tiger was wandering around for food. He hadn't been eating for days. He was really hungry! While he was approaching a small lake, he saw Mouse Deer drinking. The tiger want to eat him.
Tiger smiled, "Hmmm yummy, finally I get my lunch!"
Tiger slowly ducked, crawled, and held his breath. And then..."Gotcha!" said Tiger. He caught Mouse Deer and bit his leg. Mouse Deer was trembling. He was really shocked. But he tried to be calm. He was thinking of a plan to escape from Tiger. He looked around and suddenly he had an idea!
He said, "Hey Tiger, I know you are hungry and want to eat me. But the king will angry if he knows you eat me now."
"Why? The king knows that I eat meat. I eat animals like you! Said Tiger.
Mouse Deer explained, "I guard king's cake. It's very delicious. Only the king and his family eat it. "Mouse Deer pointed at one big, black lump near the lake. It did not look delicious at all. But Tiger was curious.
"Don't be fooled by its appearance. Its taste is very delicious. That's why it meant for kings. And you won't get hungry for a month after you eat it. I tasted it once, "said Mouse Deer.
Tiger's mouth watered. "Can I taste it?"
"Of course you can not The king will punish me like he did when I tasted it last time. He would kill me if something happened to the cake again!"
Well...it's all up to you. I eat you or I eat the cake.
The choice is yours."
"Well, then. You don't give me much choice, Tiger. You can have the cake. But first, let me run away as far as I can. By the way, the king won't be able to get me."
"All right...Now, go!" He was really hungry. He could not wait any longer to eat king's cake.
Mouse Deer took a save distance away from Tiger. But he still could watch him, as Tiger eagerly took the peace of the 'cake'.
Phooey, it's no cake! It's...it's buffalo's dung! I'll get you, Mouse Deer! You! Watch it!"
But Mouse Deer was already far away. He laughed aloud. Mouse Deer was safe for now. But Next Time, he might meet face to face with Tiger again.***
kancil (kantjil)=mouse deer
Tiger smiled, "Hmmm yummy, finally I get my lunch!"
Tiger slowly ducked, crawled, and held his breath. And then..."Gotcha!" said Tiger. He caught Mouse Deer and bit his leg. Mouse Deer was trembling. He was really shocked. But he tried to be calm. He was thinking of a plan to escape from Tiger. He looked around and suddenly he had an idea!
He said, "Hey Tiger, I know you are hungry and want to eat me. But the king will angry if he knows you eat me now."
"Why? The king knows that I eat meat. I eat animals like you! Said Tiger.
Mouse Deer explained, "I guard king's cake. It's very delicious. Only the king and his family eat it. "Mouse Deer pointed at one big, black lump near the lake. It did not look delicious at all. But Tiger was curious.
"Don't be fooled by its appearance. Its taste is very delicious. That's why it meant for kings. And you won't get hungry for a month after you eat it. I tasted it once, "said Mouse Deer.
Tiger's mouth watered. "Can I taste it?"
"Of course you can not The king will punish me like he did when I tasted it last time. He would kill me if something happened to the cake again!"
Well...it's all up to you. I eat you or I eat the cake.
The choice is yours."
"Well, then. You don't give me much choice, Tiger. You can have the cake. But first, let me run away as far as I can. By the way, the king won't be able to get me."
"All right...Now, go!" He was really hungry. He could not wait any longer to eat king's cake.
Mouse Deer took a save distance away from Tiger. But he still could watch him, as Tiger eagerly took the peace of the 'cake'.
Phooey, it's no cake! It's...it's buffalo's dung! I'll get you, Mouse Deer! You! Watch it!"
But Mouse Deer was already far away. He laughed aloud. Mouse Deer was safe for now. But Next Time, he might meet face to face with Tiger again.***
kancil (kantjil)=mouse deer
Timun Mas
Folklore from Central Java
One night, while they were praying, a giant passed their house. The giant heard they pray. "Don't worry farmers. I can give you a child. But you have to give me that child when she is 17 years old," said the giant.
The farmers were so happy. They did not think about the risk of losing their child later and agree to take the offer. Later, the giant gave them a bunch of cucumber seeds. The farmers planted them carefully. Then the seeds changed into plants.
Not longer after that, a big golden cucumber grew from plants. After it had ripe, the farmers picked and cut it. They were very surprised to see beautiful girl inside the cucumber. They named her Timun Mas or Golden Cucumber. Years passed by and Timun Mas has changed into a beautiful girl.
On her 17th birthday, Timun Mas was very happy. However, the parents were very sad. They knew they had to keep their promise to the giant but they also did not want to lose their beloved daughter. "My daughter, take this bag. It can save you from the giant," said the father. "What do you mean, Father? I don't understand," said Timun Mas.
Right after that, the giant came into their house. "Run Timun Mas. Save your life!" said the mother. The giant was angry. He knew the farmers wanted to break their promise. He chased Timun Mas away. The giant was getting closer and closer.
Timun Mas then opened the bag and threw a handful of salt. It became sea. The giant had to swim to cross the sea. Later, Timun Mas threw some chilly. It became a jungle with trees. The trees had sharp thorns so they hurt the giant.
However, the giant was still able to chase Timun Mas. Timun Mas took her third magic stuff. It was cucumber seeds. She threw them and became cucumber field. B
ut the giant still could escape from the field. Then it was the last magic stuff she had in the bag. It was a shrimp paste, terasi. She threw it and became a big swamp.
The giant was still trying to swim the swamp but he was very tired. Then he was drowning and died. Timun Mas then immediately went home. The farmers were so happy that they finally together again.***
Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih
Folklore from
BAWANG Putih lived with her step mother and her step sister, Bawang Merah. Bawang Putih's mother died when she was a baby. Her father remarried another woman and later her step sister was born.
Unfortunately, not long after that her father died. Since then, Bawang Putih's life was sad. Her step mother and her step sister treated Bawang Putih badly and always asked her to do all the household chores. One morning, Bawang Putih was washing some clothes in a river.
Accidentally, her mother's clothes were washed away by the river. She was really worried so she walked along the river side to find the clothes. Finally she met an old woman. She said that she kept the clothes and would give them back to Bawang Putih if she helped the old woman do the household chores. Bawang Putih helped her happily. After everything was finished, the old woman returned the clothes. She also gave Bawang Putih a gift. The old woman had two pumpkins, one pumpkin was small and the other one was big. Bawang Putih had to choose one.
Bawang Putih was not a greedy girl. So she took the small one. After thanking the old woman, Bawang Putih then went home. When she arrived home, her step mother and Bawang Merah were angry. They had been waiting for her all day long. Bawang Putih then told about the clothes, the old woman, and the pumpkin. Her mother was really angry so she grabbed the pumpkin and smashed it to the floor. Suddenly they all were surprised. Inside the pumpkin they found jewelries.
"Bawang Merah, hurry up. Go to the river and throw my clothes into the water. After that, find the old woman. Remember, you have to take the big pumpkin," the step mother asked Bawang Merah to do exactly the same as Bawang Putih's experience. Bawang Merah immediately went to the river. She threw the clothes and pretended to search them. Not long after that, she met the old woman. Again she asked Bawang Merah to do household chores. She refused and asked the old woman to give her a big pumpkin.
The old woman then gave her the big one. Bawang Merah was so happy. She ran very fast. When she arrived home, her mother was impatient. She directly smashed the pumpkin to the floor. They were screaming. There were a lot of snakes inside the pumpkin! They were really scared. They were afraid the snakes would bite them.
"Mom, I think God just punished us. We had done bad things to Bawang Putih. And God didn't like that. We have to apologize to Bawang Putih," said Bawang Merah. Finally both of them realized their mistakes. They apologized and Bawang Putih forgave them. Now the family is not poor anymore. Bawang Putih decided to sell all the jewelries and used the money for their daily lives.***
Bawang Putih means white onion (garlic), Bawang merah means red onion (shallot).
Aji Saka
Aji Saka
Folklore from Central Java
Folklore from Central Java
A long time ago there was a kingdom. Its name was Medang Kamulan. The people in the kingdom were very scared. They wanted to leave the kingdom. It all happened because the king was a beast. His name was Prabu Dewata Cengkar and he ate humans! Every day Patih Jugul Muda always provided some humans to be eaten by the king! Not far from the kingdom, there was Medang Kawit village. A young man with a great supernatural power lived there. His name was Aji Saka. Everybody liked him because Aji Saka was nice, diligent, and kind hearted. One day, Aji Saka saw an old man was wounded. Some thieves just hit him and stole his money. The old man was the villager in Medang Kamulan kingdom. He told what happened in his kingdom to Aji Saka. Aji Saka was very angry. He decided to go to Medang Kamulan to give Prabu Dewata Cengkar a lesson. The king had to stop his bad behavior, eating humans. Aji Saka then went to the kingdom. He was wearing his magic turban. When he arrived in the kingdom, the king was angry to Patih Jugul Muda. He was not able to give the king some humans. All the villagers already saved themselves by leaving the kingdom. “Who are you, young man? Ha...ha...ha.... I’m glad you are here. I'm starving,” said the king. He was so happy to see Aji Saka. He thought Aji Saka was there to be eaten by him. “I would gladly let you eat me. But I have one request. You give me your land with the size of my turban,” said Aji Saka. He then took off his turban and threw it on the ground. The king and Aji Saka then measured the size of the turban. Suddenly the turban grew bigger and bigger. It finally covered the whole kingdom. The king was totally angry. He knew Aji Saka was planning to take over his kingdom. He then attacked Aji Saka. With his supernatural turban, Aji Saka twisted the king’s body and threw him to the ocean. The king never returned to the kingdom. Aji Saka then asked the villagers to come back. They all were very happy. They also asked Aji Saka to be their king. Aji Saka then ruled the kingdom wisely. He led Medang Kamulan kingdom into its golden moment. The people lived happily and peacefully. ***
Sendang Sani
Sendang Sani
A Folktale from Central Java
A Folktale from Central Java
Once upon a time, Sunan Kalijaga planned to visit Sunan Muria in Pati, Central Java. He asked his friend, Ki Rangga, to go with him. Several servants also joined them to carry their luggages. And they began walking to Sunan Muria’s house. Of course there were no cars or trains, so they walked. Several hours later, Ki Rangga felt tired. “Are we still far from Sunan Muria’s house?” asked Ki Rangga to Sunan Kalijaga. Sunan Kalijaga answered, “We are already in Kadipaten Pati Pesantenan. We will arrive in Sunan Muria’s house shortly. Please be patient.”Ki Rangga was embarassed to be walking together with Sunan Kalijaga because Sunan Kalijaga did not look tired while Ki Rangga was very tired and thirsty. Finally Sunan Kalijaga asked Ki Rangga to take a rest under a big tree. It was time for Zuhur pray. But there was no water around for them to clean up or wudu. Ki Rangga was confused. He said, “I don’t see any water nearby. Where should we take wudu?” Sunan Kalijaga only smiled and said, “We should pray to Allah SWT for water. Now you must guard this big tree, Ki Rangga. It might bring water to us. But remember, everything happens because of Allah SWT. Don”t act alone. You must inform me when water comes out. I will be behind that hill.” Ki Rangga promised Sunan Kalijaga to inform him when water came out. So Sunan Kalijaga went behind the hill and Ki Rangga with his servants sat under the big tree. They quickly fell asleep. Suddenly water came out from the big tree. Ki Rangga and his servants became wet. They woke up. They were very happy to see the water because they were very tired and thirsty. They drank and played in the water. Ki Rangga forgot Sunan Kalijaga’s message to inform Sunan Kalijaga when water came out. Behind the hill, Sunan Kalijaga was worried. So he went to the big tree. He was surprised to see Ki Rangga and his servants were playing in the water. “You forgot my message to inform me when water comes out. Instead, you are playing in the water like a turtle,” said Sunan Kalijaga, softly. A miracle happened. Ki Rangga and his servants turned into turtles. Ki Rangga was sad. He changed into turtles because he did not keep his promise. The water formed a pond. It is now called Sendang Sani, in Pati, Central Java. Many people still visit Sendang Sani now. ***
A Test for the King
A Test for the King
A Folktale from Central Java
There is a small kingdom called Mergosono. Although Mergosono is small, it is famous because the king is a very good and wise man. One day, the gods hear about the king’s goodness and wisdom. So, they decide to test him. The king of the gods sends four of his gods to Mergosono to test the king. At that time, the king’s son, Pangeran Sembara is studying abroad. So one of the gods disguise as Pangeran Sembara. Two other as villagers while one disguise as a villager who is killed by Pangeran Sembara. The two villagers then go to see the king to tell him about the death of their friend. They say that they saw the prince killed their friend. ÒI accept your report. But my son hasn’t returned from his study. I will hold my judgement until his return. If my son indeed killed your friend then I will give him the punishment he deserve. But if you lie then I will punish you for ruining my family’s good name,” says the king. When the two villagers leave, the king calls his trusted advisors. He asks for their opinion about this matter. They all agree that if the report is true then the prince should be punished. The king is sad to hear that but he knows he must uphold the law. The next morning the false prince comes to see his father. He admits killing the vilager. So the king decides to execute the prince for his wrong doing. The next day the prince is going to be hung as his punishment. When the executioner hang the prince, suddenly his body disappear and a voice is heard across the field. “King of Mergosono, you really are a wise and justfull king. You pass my test. So I will give you and your people prosperity as long as you and your descendant stay true and wise. Don’t be sad. Your son is well and on his way home to see you.” When the sound is gone, the people of Mergosono yells with joy. Their prince is safe and they know that their king is a wise man. When the prince finally arrives home, they hold a party to celebrate the event. (BP/X-12)
The Baruklinting Dragon
Folklore from Central Java
A long time ago, there was a giant dragon. His name was Baruklinting. One day, one of the gods asked him to take nine shepherds as an offering for the gods. Then Baruklinting went to a mountain. He opened his big mouth everyday. He hoped that shepherds would enter his big mouth. In the village, ten shepherds took their cows to the grass field on the mountain. They didn’t know there was a dragon. One of the shepherds was very skinny and dirty. His friends always made fun of him. The skinny shepherd never got angry. He just kept quiet and left his friends every time they laughed at him.
It was a very hot day. All shepherds were very tired. They wanted to find a cool place to rest. The skinny shepherd had already found a nice place to rest. It was under a big tree. The place was cool so he did not feel hot anymore. His friends were jealous.
“Let’s steal his place,” said one of them. “Yes! Let’s do it!” other shepherds agreed. They took some mud and threw it to the skinny shepherds. The skinny shepherd was so sad. Still, he did not get angry. He just left them and walked away.
“Ha ha ha go now! You skinny boy!” they laughed at him. Suddenly the sky became dark. There was a thunder and lightning. Heavy rain began to fall. The shepherds did not want to get wet. They had to find a better place. They finally found a big cave. The cave had sharp rocks inside it. All shepherds did not know that the cave was actually the mouth of the giant dragon. Yes, it was Baruklinting’s mouth! When all shepherds were inside the ‘cave’, suddenly one of them pushed the skinny shepherd away.
“Go out! You don’t belong here! It’s only for the big boys!” "But it was raining outside,” said skinny shepherd. ÒI don’t care!” then they pushed him. Right after the skinny shepherd was outside the cave, it suddenly closed! Yes, Baruklinting just finished his job to get nine shepherds for the gods. When the skinny shepherds saw the cave closed, he ran away! He ran as fast as he could. He then told the villagers about the cave and the dragon. The villagers then went to the mountain to kill the dragon. But when they arrived, the dragon had already gone. From that day on, the village was named Kesongo Village. Songomeant nine for the nine shepherds who were eaten by Baruklinting Dragon***
Keong Emas (The Golden Snail)
Keong Emas (The Golden Snail)
Folklore From Central Java
PRINCE Raden Putra and Dewi Limaran were husband and wife. They lived in a palace. Prince Raden Putra's father was the king of the kingdom.
Folklore From Central Java
PRINCE Raden Putra and Dewi Limaran were husband and wife. They lived in a palace. Prince Raden Putra's father was the king of the kingdom. One day, Dewi Limaran was walking around in the palace garden. Suddenly she saw a snail. It was ugly and disgusting. "Yuck!" said Dewi Limaran and then she threw it away into a river. She did not know that the snail was actually an old and powerful witch. She could transform herself into anything. The witch was angry to Dewi Limaran. The witch put a spell on her and changed her into a golden snail. The witch then threw it away into the river.
The golden snail was drifting away in the river and got caught into a net. An old woman was fishing and used her net to catch some fish. She was surprised to see a golden snail in her net. She took it and brought it home. When the old woman woke up in the morning, she was surprised that the house was in the good condition. The floor was mopped. And she also had food on the table. She was thinking very hard. "Who did this to me? The person is very kind." It happened again and again every morning.
The old woman was very curious. One night she decided to stay up late. She was peeping from her room to know who cooked for her. Then, she could not believe what she saw. The golden snail she caught in the river turned into a beautiful woman. The old woman approached her. "Who are you, young girl?" "I am Dewi Limaran, Ma'am. A witch cursed me. I can change back as a human only at night," explained Dewi Limaran. "The spell can be broken if I hear the melody from the holy gamelan," continued Dewi Limaran. The old woman then rushed to the palace. She talked to Prince Raden Putra about her wife. Prince Raden Putra was so happy. He had been looking for his wife everywhere.
He then prayed and meditated. He asked the gods to give him the holy gamelan. He wanted to break the witch's spell. After several days praying and meditating, finally gods granted his wish. He immediately brought the holy gamelan to the old woman's house. He played it beautifully. And then amazingly the golden snail turned into the beautiful Dewi Limaran. The couple was so happy that they could be together again. They also thanked the old woman for her kindness. As a return, they asked her to stay in the palace. ***
Loro Jonggrang
Folklore from Central JavaOnce upon a time, there was a kingdom named Prambanan. The people lived peacefully. However, soon their happy lives were disturbed by Pengging Kingdom. The king, Bandung Bondowoso, wanted to occupy Prambanan. He was a mean king.
The war between Prambanan and Pengging could not be avoided. Prambanan lost the war and led by the new king, Bandung Bondowoso. Pengging could win the war because Bandung Bondongwoso had a supernatural power.
His soldiers were not only humans but also genies. Those creatures always obeyed Bandung Bondowoso. They always did whatever Bandung Bondowoso asked them to do. The king of Prambanan had a beautiful daughter. Her name was Loro Jonggrang. Bandung Bondowoso fell in love with her and wanted to marry her.
"If you want to marry me, you have to build a thousand of temples in just one night," said Loro Jonggrang. She hated Bandung Bondowoso because he made the people of Prambanan suffered. "What? Impossible! You just gave me an excuse for not marrying me!" said Bandung Bondowoso. But he did not give up. He asked the genies to help him.
Then all those genies worked hard to build the 1.000 temples. Meanwhile, Loro Jonggrang heard from the lady-inwaiting that the building of 1.000 temples was almost finished.
She was so scared; she did not want to marry Bandung Bondowoso. And then she had a great idea. She asked all the ladies-inwaiting to help her.
"Please prepare a lot of straw and mortar. Come on! Hurry up!" said Loro Jonggrang. All those ladies-in-waiting were confused. They did not know why Loro Jonggrang asked them to prepare a lot of straw and mortars in the middle of the night.
"Listen, all those genies are building the temples, right? We have to stop them by burning the straw and make some noise by pounding the mortar. The genies will think that sun is going to rise and they will run away. Genies are afraid of sunlight." It worked! All those genies thought that sun rose. They did not know the light was from the fire that burning the straw. And the noise from pounding the mortar was like the start of a new day.
Bandung Bondowoso was angry. He knew Loro Jonggrang just tricked him. "You cannot fool me, Loro Jonggrang. I already have 999 temples. I just need one more temple. Now, I will make you the one-thousandth temple." With his supernatural power, Bandung Bondowoso made Loro Jonggrang a temple. Until now, the temple is still standing in Prambanan area, Central Java. And the temple is named Loro Jonggrang temple. ***
The war between Prambanan and Pengging could not be avoided. Prambanan lost the war and led by the new king, Bandung Bondowoso. Pengging could win the war because Bandung Bondongwoso had a supernatural power.
His soldiers were not only humans but also genies. Those creatures always obeyed Bandung Bondowoso. They always did whatever Bandung Bondowoso asked them to do. The king of Prambanan had a beautiful daughter. Her name was Loro Jonggrang. Bandung Bondowoso fell in love with her and wanted to marry her.
"If you want to marry me, you have to build a thousand of temples in just one night," said Loro Jonggrang. She hated Bandung Bondowoso because he made the people of Prambanan suffered. "What? Impossible! You just gave me an excuse for not marrying me!" said Bandung Bondowoso. But he did not give up. He asked the genies to help him.
Then all those genies worked hard to build the 1.000 temples. Meanwhile, Loro Jonggrang heard from the lady-inwaiting that the building of 1.000 temples was almost finished.
She was so scared; she did not want to marry Bandung Bondowoso. And then she had a great idea. She asked all the ladies-inwaiting to help her.
"Please prepare a lot of straw and mortar. Come on! Hurry up!" said Loro Jonggrang. All those ladies-in-waiting were confused. They did not know why Loro Jonggrang asked them to prepare a lot of straw and mortars in the middle of the night.
"Listen, all those genies are building the temples, right? We have to stop them by burning the straw and make some noise by pounding the mortar. The genies will think that sun is going to rise and they will run away. Genies are afraid of sunlight." It worked! All those genies thought that sun rose. They did not know the light was from the fire that burning the straw. And the noise from pounding the mortar was like the start of a new day.
Bandung Bondowoso was angry. He knew Loro Jonggrang just tricked him. "You cannot fool me, Loro Jonggrang. I already have 999 temples. I just need one more temple. Now, I will make you the one-thousandth temple." With his supernatural power, Bandung Bondowoso made Loro Jonggrang a temple. Until now, the temple is still standing in Prambanan area, Central Java. And the temple is named Loro Jonggrang temple. ***
Ki Semar and Slamet Mountain
Folklore from Central JavaA long time ago, Slamet Mountain was very high. It was so high that it could reach the sky. People heard that they could take the stars if they were on top of the mountain. But no one dared to go there.
The people were afraid that the gods in heaven would be angry if people took the stars. However, the beauty of the stars made some monkeys dared to go to the top of the mountain. Led by their king, they went there and took some stars. Then, the sky became dark at night. People were sad and the gods were angry!
Batara Guru was the leader of the gods. He held a meeting. He invited Batara Narada, Batara Brama, Batara Bayu, and others. Batara Narada had an idea how to stop the monkeys. They would ask Ki Semar to help them.
Ki Semar was actually one of the gods. He was even older than Batara Guru. But Ki Semar did not live in heaven. He lived on earth with his children, Gareng, Petruk, and Bagong. Ki Semar had a great supernatural power. He could cut the top of the mountain easily. But first, he wanted to give a lesson to the naughty monkeys. They had to be punished for stealing the stars. He then set a plan with his children to trap the monkeys.
Gareng then went to the top of the mountain. He had to attract the monkeys to go down by giving them some bananas. It worked! The monkeys followed Gareng.
After the monkeys left the top of the mountain, Ki Semar immediately cut the top of the mountain. He threw the biggest part to Cirebon. It became Ceremai Mountain and the small parts became small mountains, like Clirit Mountain, Tapak Mountain, and others.
After the monkeys left the mountain and followed Gareng, Petruk was ready with some hot water. He planned to pour the hot water over the monkeys. He waited and waited but the monkeys never came to him. He did not know that while the monkeys chased Gareng, they met a giant dragon. The monkeys had a fight with the dragon. It was so terrible that both the monkeys and the dragon finally died.
Because of tired waiting for the monkeys, Petruk then left the place. He did not bring his hot water and left it there. People then named the place where Petruk left his hot water as Guci. It is about 50 kilometers from Tegal, Central Java. It is famous for its hot water.***
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