KENDARAAN KE AKHIRAT
Kuhentikan mobil tepat di ujung kandang tempat berjualan hewan Qurban. Saat pintu mobil kubuka, bau tak sedap memenuhi rongga hidungku, dengan spontan aku menutupnya dengan saputangan.
Suasana di tempat itu sangat ramai, dari para penjual yang hanya bersarung hingga ibu-ibu berkerudung Majelis Taklim, tidak terkecuali anak-anak yang ikut menemani orang tuanya melihat hewan yang akan di-Qurban-kan pada Idul Adha nanti, sebuah pembelajaran yang cukup baik bagi anak-anak sejak dini tentang pengorbanan NabiAllah Ibrahim & Nabi Ismail.
Aku masuk dalam kerumunan orang-orang yang sedang bertransaksi memilih hewan yang akan di sembelih saat Qurban nanti. Mataku tertuju pada seekor kambing coklat bertanduk panjang, ukuran badannya besar melebihi kambing-kambing di sekitarnya.
" Berapa harga kambing yang itu pak ?" ujarku menunjuk kambing coklat tersebut.
" Yang coklat itu yang terbesar pak. Kambing Mega Super dua juta rupiah tidak kurang" kata si pedagang berpromosi matanya berkeliling sambil tetap melayani calon pembeli lainnya.
" Tidak bisa turun pak?" kataku mencoba bernegosiasi.
" Tidak kurang tidak lebih, sekarang harga-harga serba mahal" si pedagang bertahan.
" Satu juta lima ratus ribu ya?" aku melakukan penawaran pertama
" Maaf pak, masih jauh." ujarnya cuek.
Aku menimbang-nimbang, apakah akan terus melakukan penawaran terendah berharap si pedagang berubah pendirian dengan menurunkan harganya.
" Oke pak bagaimana kalau satu juta tujuh ratus lima puluh ribu?" kataku
" Masih belum nutup pak " ujarnya tetap cuek
" Yang sedang mahal kan harga minyak pak. Kenapa kambing ikut naik?" ujarku berdalih mencoba melakukan penawaran termurah.
" Yah bapak, meskipun kambing gak minum minyak. Tapi dia gak bisa datang ke sini sendiri. Tetap saja harus di angkut mobil pak, dan mobil bahan bakarnya bukan rumput" kata si pedagang meledek.
Dalam hati aku berkata, alot juga pedagang satu ini. Tidak menawarkan harga selain yang sudah di kemukakannya di awal tadi. Pandangan aku alihkan ke kambing lainnya yang lebih kecil dari si coklat. Lumayan bila ada perbedaan harga lima ratus ribu.
Kebetulan dari tempat penjual kambing ini, aku berencana ke toko ban mobil. Mengganti ban belakang yang sudah mulai terlihat halus tusirannya. Kelebihan tersebut bisa untuk menambah budget ban yang harganya kini selangit.
" Kalau yang belang hitam putih itu berapa bang?" kataku kemudian
" Nah yang itu Super biasa. Satu juta tujuh ratus lima puluh ribu rupiah" katanya
Belum sempat aku menawar, di sebelahku berdiri seorang kakek menanyakan harga kambing coklat Mega Super tadi. Meskipun pakaian "korpri" yang ia kenakan lusuh, tetapi wajahnya masih terlihat segar.
" Gagah banget kambing itu. Berapa harganya mas?" katanya kagum
" Dua juta tidak kurang tidak lebih kek." kata si pedagang setengah malas menjawab setelah melihat penampilan si kakek.
" Weleh larang men regane (mahal benar harganya) ?" kata si kakek dalam bahasa Purwokertoan " bisa di tawar-kan ya mas ?" lanjutnya mencoba negosiasi juga.
" Cari kambing yang lain aja kek. " si pedagang terlihat semakin malas meladeni.
" Ora usah (tidak) mas. Aku arep sing apik lan gagah Qurban taun iki (Aku mau yang terbaik dan gagah untuk Qurban tahun ini) Duit-e (uangnya) cukup kanggo (untuk) mbayar koq mas." katanya tetap bersemangat seraya mengeluarkan bungkusan dari saku celananya. Bungkusan dari kain perca yang juga sudah lusuh itu di bukanya, enam belas lembar uang seratus ribuan dan sembilan lembar uang lima puluh ribuan dikeluarkan dari dalamnya. " Iki (ini) dua juta rupiah mas. Weduse (kambingnya) dianter ke rumah ya mas?" lanjutnya mantap tetapi tetap bersahaja.
Si pedagang kambing kaget, tidak terkecuali aku yang memperhatikannya sejak tadi. Dengan wajah masih ragu tidak percaya si pedagang menerima uang yang disodorkan si kakek, kemudian di hitungnya perlahan lembar demi lembar uang itu.
" Kek, ini ada lebih lima puluh ribu rupiah" si pedagang mengeluarkan selembar lima puluh ribuan
" Ora ono ongkos kirime tho...?" (Enggak ada ongkos kirimnya ya?) si kakek seakan tahu uang yang diberikannya berlebih
" Dua juta sudah termasuk ongkos kirim" si pedagang yg cukup jujur memberikan lima puluh ribu ke kakek " mau di antar ke mana mbah?" (tiba-tiba panggilan kakek berubah menjadi mbah)
" Alhamdulillah, lewih (lebih) lima puluh ribu iso di tabung neh (bisa ditabung lagi)" kata si kakek sambil menerimanya " tulung anterke ning deso cedak kono yo (tolong antar ke desa dekat itu ya), sak sampene ning mburine (sesampainya di belakang) Masjid Baiturrohman, takon ae umahe (tanya saja rumahnya) mbah Sutrimo pensiunan pegawe Pemda Pasir Mukti, InsyaAllah bocah-bocah podo ngerti (InsyaAllah anak-anak sudah tahu)."
Setelah selesai bertransaksi dan membayar apa yang telah di sepakatinya, si kakek berjalan ke arah sebuah sepeda tua yang di sandarkan pada sebatang pohon pisang, tidak jauh dari X-Trail milikku. Perlahan di angkat dari sandaran, kemudian dengan sigap di kayuhnya tetap dengan semangat.
Entah perasaan apa lagi yang dapat kurasakan saat itu, semuanya berbalik ke arah berlawanan dalam pandanganku. Kakek tua pensiunan pegawai Pemda yang hanya berkendara sepeda engkol, sanggup membeli hewan Qurban yang terbaik untuk dirinya. Aku tidak tahu persis berapa uang pensiunan PNS yang diterima setiap bulan oleh si kakek.
Yang aku tahu, di sekitar masjid Baiturrohman tidak ada rumah yang berdiri dengan mewah, rata-rata penduduk sekitar desa Pasir Mukti hanya petani dan para pensiunan pegawai rendahan. Yang pasti secara materi, sangatlah jauh di banding penghasilanku sebagai Manajer perusahaan swasta asing. Yang sanggup membeli rumah di kawasan cukup bergengsi Yang sanggup membeli kendaraan roda empat yang harga ban-nya saja cukup membeli seekor kambing Mega Super Yang sanggup mempunyai hobby berkendara moge (motor gede) dan memilikinya Yang sanggup membeli hewan Qurban dua ekor sapi sekaligus TAPI APA YANG AKU PIKIRKAN? AKU HANYA HENDAK MEMBELI HEWAN QURBAN YANG JAUH DI BAWAH KEMAMPUANKU YANG HARGANYA TIDAK LEBIH DARI SERVICE RUTIN MOBIL X-TRAIL, KENDARAANKU DI DUNIA FANA INI. SEMENTARA UNTUK KENDARAANKU DI AKHIRAT KELAK, AKU BERPIKIR SERIBU KALI SAAT MEMBELINYA.
Jumat, 12 November 2010
Jumat, 30 Juli 2010
Di Saat Daku Tua
DISAAT DAKU TUA
Disaat daku tua, bukan lagi diriku yang dulu.
Maklumilah diriku, bersabarlah dalam menghadapiku.
Disaat daku menumpahkan kuah sayuran dibajuku,
Disaat daku tidak lagi mengingat cara mengikatkan tali sepatu.
Ingatlah saat-saat bagaimana daku mengajarimu, membimbimgmu untuk melakukannya.
Disaat saya dengan pikunnya mengulang terus menerus ucapan yang membosankanmu.
Bersabarlah mendengarkanku, jangan memotong ucapanku,
Dimasa kecilmu, Daku harus mengulang dan mengulang terus sebuah cerita yang telah saya ceritakan ribuan kali hingga dirimu terbuai dalam mimpi.
Disaat saya membutuhkanmu untuk memandikanku.
Janganlah menyalahkanku.
Ingatlah dimasa kecilmu, bagaimana daku dengan berbagai cara membujukmu untuk mandi.
Disaat saya kebinggungan menghadapi hal-hal baru dan teknologi modern.
Janganlah menertawaiku.
Renungkanlah bagaimana daku dengan sabarnya menjawab setiap “mengapa” yang engkau ajukan saat itu.
Disaat kedua kakiku terlalu lemah untuk berjalan.
Ulurkanlah tanganmu yang muda dan kuat untuk memapahku.
Bagaikan dimasa kecilmu daku menuntunmu melangkahkan kaki untuk belajar berjalan.
Disaat daku melupakan topik pembicaraan kita.
Berilah sedikit waktu padaku untuk mengingatnya.
Sebenarnya, topik pembicaraan bukanlah hal yang penting bagiku, asalkan engkau berada disisiku untuk mendengarkanku, daku telah bahagia.
Disaat engkau melihat diriku menua, janganlah bersedih.
Maklumilah diriku, dukunglah daku, bagaikan daku terhadapmu disaat engkau mulai belajar tentang kehidupan.
Dulu daku menuntunmu menapaki jalan kehidupan ini, kini temanilah daku hingga akhir jalan hidupkku.
Berilah daku cinta kasih dan kesabaranmu, Daku akan menerimanya dengan senyum penuh syukur, didalam senyumku ini, tertanam kasihku yang tak terhingga padamu
Disaat daku tua, bukan lagi diriku yang dulu.
Maklumilah diriku, bersabarlah dalam menghadapiku.
Disaat daku menumpahkan kuah sayuran dibajuku,
Disaat daku tidak lagi mengingat cara mengikatkan tali sepatu.
Ingatlah saat-saat bagaimana daku mengajarimu, membimbimgmu untuk melakukannya.
Disaat saya dengan pikunnya mengulang terus menerus ucapan yang membosankanmu.
Bersabarlah mendengarkanku, jangan memotong ucapanku,
Dimasa kecilmu, Daku harus mengulang dan mengulang terus sebuah cerita yang telah saya ceritakan ribuan kali hingga dirimu terbuai dalam mimpi.
Disaat saya membutuhkanmu untuk memandikanku.
Janganlah menyalahkanku.
Ingatlah dimasa kecilmu, bagaimana daku dengan berbagai cara membujukmu untuk mandi.
Disaat saya kebinggungan menghadapi hal-hal baru dan teknologi modern.
Janganlah menertawaiku.
Renungkanlah bagaimana daku dengan sabarnya menjawab setiap “mengapa” yang engkau ajukan saat itu.
Disaat kedua kakiku terlalu lemah untuk berjalan.
Ulurkanlah tanganmu yang muda dan kuat untuk memapahku.
Bagaikan dimasa kecilmu daku menuntunmu melangkahkan kaki untuk belajar berjalan.
Disaat daku melupakan topik pembicaraan kita.
Berilah sedikit waktu padaku untuk mengingatnya.
Sebenarnya, topik pembicaraan bukanlah hal yang penting bagiku, asalkan engkau berada disisiku untuk mendengarkanku, daku telah bahagia.
Disaat engkau melihat diriku menua, janganlah bersedih.
Maklumilah diriku, dukunglah daku, bagaikan daku terhadapmu disaat engkau mulai belajar tentang kehidupan.
Dulu daku menuntunmu menapaki jalan kehidupan ini, kini temanilah daku hingga akhir jalan hidupkku.
Berilah daku cinta kasih dan kesabaranmu, Daku akan menerimanya dengan senyum penuh syukur, didalam senyumku ini, tertanam kasihku yang tak terhingga padamu
Kasih Ibu Yang Tidak Terhingga, Kamu Abaikan
Kasih Ibu Yang Tidak Terhingga, Kamu Abaikan
Saat kau berumur 15 tahun, dia pulang kerja ingin memelukmu.
Sebagai balasannya, kau kunci pintu kamarmu.
Saat kau berumur 16 tahun, dia ajari kau mengemudi mobilnya.
Sebagai balasannya, kau pakai mobilnya setiap ada kesempatan tanpa peduli kepentingannya.
Saat kau berumur 17 tahun, dia sedang menunggu telepon yang penting.
Sebagai balasannya, kau pakai telepon nonstop semalaman.
Saat kau berumur 18 tahun, dia menangis terharu ketika kau lulus SMA.
Sebagai balasannya, kau berpesta dengan temanmu hingga pagi.
Saat kau berumur 19 tahun, dia membayar biaya kuliahmu dan mengantarmu ke kampus pada hari pertama.
Sebagai balasannya, kau minta diturunkan jauh dari pintu gerbang agar kau tidak malu di depan teman-temanmu.
Saat kau berumur 20 tahun, dia bertanya, “Dari mana saja seharian ini?”.
Sebagai balasannya, kau jawab, “Ah Ibu cerewet amat sih, ingin tahu urusan orang!”
Saat kau berumur 21 tahun, dia menyarankan satu pekerjaan yang bagus untuk karirmu di masa depan.
Sebagai balasannya, kau katakan, “Aku tidak ingin seperti Ibu.”
Saat kau berumur 22 tahun, dia memelukmu dengan haru saat kau lulus perguruan tinggi.
Sebagai balasannya, kau tanya dia kapan kau bisa ke Bali.
Saat kau berumur 23 tahun, dia membelikanmu 1 set furniture untuk rumah barumu.
Sebagai balasannya, kau ceritakan pada temanmu betapa jeleknya furniture itu.
Saat kau berumur 24 tahun, dia bertemu dengan tunanganmu dan bertanya tentang rencananya di masa depan.
Sebagai balasannya, kau mengeluh, “Bagaimana Ibu ini, kok bertanya seperti itu?”
Saat kau berumur 25 tahun, dia mambantumu membiayai penikahanmu.
Sebagai balasannya, kau pindah ke kota lain yang jaraknya lebih dari 500 km.
Saat kau berumur 30 tahun, dia memberikan beberapa nasehat bagaimana merawat bayimu.
Sebagai balasannya, kau katakan padanya, “Bu, sekarang jamannya sudah berbeda!”
Saat kau berumur 40 tahun, dia menelepon untuk memberitahukan pesta ulang tahun salah seorang kerabat.
Sebagai balasannya, kau jawab, “Bu, saya sibuk sekali, nggak ada waktu.”
Saat kau berumur 50 tahun, dia sakit-sakitan sehingga memerlukan perawatanmu.
Sebagai balasannya, kau baca tentang pengaruh negatif orang tua yang menumpang tinggal di rumah anak-anaknya.
Dan hingga suatu hari, dia meninggal dengan tenang.
Dan tiba- tiba kau teringat semua yang belum pernah kau lakukan, karena mereka datang menghantam HATI mu bagaikan palu godam.
Saat kau berumur 15 tahun, dia pulang kerja ingin memelukmu.
Sebagai balasannya, kau kunci pintu kamarmu.
Saat kau berumur 16 tahun, dia ajari kau mengemudi mobilnya.
Sebagai balasannya, kau pakai mobilnya setiap ada kesempatan tanpa peduli kepentingannya.
Saat kau berumur 17 tahun, dia sedang menunggu telepon yang penting.
Sebagai balasannya, kau pakai telepon nonstop semalaman.
Saat kau berumur 18 tahun, dia menangis terharu ketika kau lulus SMA.
Sebagai balasannya, kau berpesta dengan temanmu hingga pagi.
Saat kau berumur 19 tahun, dia membayar biaya kuliahmu dan mengantarmu ke kampus pada hari pertama.
Sebagai balasannya, kau minta diturunkan jauh dari pintu gerbang agar kau tidak malu di depan teman-temanmu.
Saat kau berumur 20 tahun, dia bertanya, “Dari mana saja seharian ini?”.
Sebagai balasannya, kau jawab, “Ah Ibu cerewet amat sih, ingin tahu urusan orang!”
Saat kau berumur 21 tahun, dia menyarankan satu pekerjaan yang bagus untuk karirmu di masa depan.
Sebagai balasannya, kau katakan, “Aku tidak ingin seperti Ibu.”
Saat kau berumur 22 tahun, dia memelukmu dengan haru saat kau lulus perguruan tinggi.
Sebagai balasannya, kau tanya dia kapan kau bisa ke Bali.
Saat kau berumur 23 tahun, dia membelikanmu 1 set furniture untuk rumah barumu.
Sebagai balasannya, kau ceritakan pada temanmu betapa jeleknya furniture itu.
Saat kau berumur 24 tahun, dia bertemu dengan tunanganmu dan bertanya tentang rencananya di masa depan.
Sebagai balasannya, kau mengeluh, “Bagaimana Ibu ini, kok bertanya seperti itu?”
Saat kau berumur 25 tahun, dia mambantumu membiayai penikahanmu.
Sebagai balasannya, kau pindah ke kota lain yang jaraknya lebih dari 500 km.
Saat kau berumur 30 tahun, dia memberikan beberapa nasehat bagaimana merawat bayimu.
Sebagai balasannya, kau katakan padanya, “Bu, sekarang jamannya sudah berbeda!”
Saat kau berumur 40 tahun, dia menelepon untuk memberitahukan pesta ulang tahun salah seorang kerabat.
Sebagai balasannya, kau jawab, “Bu, saya sibuk sekali, nggak ada waktu.”
Saat kau berumur 50 tahun, dia sakit-sakitan sehingga memerlukan perawatanmu.
Sebagai balasannya, kau baca tentang pengaruh negatif orang tua yang menumpang tinggal di rumah anak-anaknya.
Dan hingga suatu hari, dia meninggal dengan tenang.
Dan tiba- tiba kau teringat semua yang belum pernah kau lakukan, karena mereka datang menghantam HATI mu bagaikan palu godam.
Rabu, 02 Juni 2010
THE LEGEND OF INDONESIA
Cerita rakyat from Central Java
Timun Emas
Long time ago, lived an old women named Mbok Sirni. She lived by herself because her husband had long passed away and she had no children. Every day, she prayed so God would give her a child. One night, when she was praying, a giant passed her house and heard her pray. “I can give you a child on one condition,” the giant said to Mbok Sirni, “You must give the child back to me when it is six years old.” Mbok Sirni was so happy; she did not think about the risk of losing the child later and agreed to take the giant’s offer. The giant then gave her a bunch of cucumber seeds. “Plant it around your house.” The giant then left without saying anything else. In the morning, Mbok Sirni planted the seeds. The seeds grew within mere days, and blossomed plentifully.Not longer after that, a big golden cucumber grew from plants. Carefully, Mbok Sirni plucked the golden cucumber and carried it home. With caution and care, she sliced the cucumber. She was very surprised to see a beautiful baby girl inside the cucumber. She then named the baby Timun Emas (it means Golden Cucumber).
Years passed by and Timun Emas has grew to become a lovely and beautiful little girl. She was also smart and kind. Mbok Sirni loved her very much. But she kept thinking about the time the giant would take Timun Emas away from her. One night, Mbok Sirni had a dream. In order to save Timun Emas from the giant, she had to meet the holy man who lived in Mount Gundul. The next morning, Mbok Sirni took leave of Timun Emas to go to Mount Gundul. The holy man then gave her four little bags, each one containing cucumber seeds, needles, salt, and shrimp paste. “Timun Emas can use these to protect herself,” said the holy man to Mbok Sirni.
A few days later, the giant came to see Mbok Sirni about her promise. “Mbok Sirni! Where is Timun Emas?” shouted the giant. "My daughter, take these bag with you. It can save you from the giant. Now, run through the back door," said Mbok Sirni. But the giant saw Timun Emas running to the woods. The giant was angry. Starved and enraged, he rushed toward Timun Emas. Mbok Sirni tried to stop him, but the giant was unstoppable.
The giant was getting closer and closer, so Timun Emas opened the first bag she got from Mbok Sirni. Inside the bag were cucumber seeds. She threw the seeds, and instantly they grew into large cucumber field. But the giant ate them all, giving him more strength. As the giant was getting close, Timun Emas took the second bag with needles inside and spilled the content behind her. The needles turned into bamboo trees, sharp and thorny. The giant’s body was scratched and bled. “Aaargh, I’ll get you, Timun Emas!” shouted the giant as he tried to get himself out from the bamboo field. He made it and still chasing Timun Emas.
Timun Emas then reached the third bag and spilled the salt inside. The ground which the salt touched turned into a deep sea. The giant almost drown and had to swim to cross the sea. After some time, he managed to get out from the water. Timun Emas saw the giant coming, so she reached for the last bag. She took the shrimp paste and threw it. The shrimp paste became a big swamp of boiling mud. The giant was trapped in the middle of the swamp. The mud slowly but surely drowned him. Helpless, he roared out, “Help! Heeeeelp…!” Then the giant drown and died. Timun Mas then immediately went home. Since then, Timun Emas and Mbok Sirni live happily ever after.***
Timun Emas
Long time ago, lived an old women named Mbok Sirni. She lived by herself because her husband had long passed away and she had no children. Every day, she prayed so God would give her a child. One night, when she was praying, a giant passed her house and heard her pray. “I can give you a child on one condition,” the giant said to Mbok Sirni, “You must give the child back to me when it is six years old.” Mbok Sirni was so happy; she did not think about the risk of losing the child later and agreed to take the giant’s offer. The giant then gave her a bunch of cucumber seeds. “Plant it around your house.” The giant then left without saying anything else. In the morning, Mbok Sirni planted the seeds. The seeds grew within mere days, and blossomed plentifully.Not longer after that, a big golden cucumber grew from plants. Carefully, Mbok Sirni plucked the golden cucumber and carried it home. With caution and care, she sliced the cucumber. She was very surprised to see a beautiful baby girl inside the cucumber. She then named the baby Timun Emas (it means Golden Cucumber).
Years passed by and Timun Emas has grew to become a lovely and beautiful little girl. She was also smart and kind. Mbok Sirni loved her very much. But she kept thinking about the time the giant would take Timun Emas away from her. One night, Mbok Sirni had a dream. In order to save Timun Emas from the giant, she had to meet the holy man who lived in Mount Gundul. The next morning, Mbok Sirni took leave of Timun Emas to go to Mount Gundul. The holy man then gave her four little bags, each one containing cucumber seeds, needles, salt, and shrimp paste. “Timun Emas can use these to protect herself,” said the holy man to Mbok Sirni.
A few days later, the giant came to see Mbok Sirni about her promise. “Mbok Sirni! Where is Timun Emas?” shouted the giant. "My daughter, take these bag with you. It can save you from the giant. Now, run through the back door," said Mbok Sirni. But the giant saw Timun Emas running to the woods. The giant was angry. Starved and enraged, he rushed toward Timun Emas. Mbok Sirni tried to stop him, but the giant was unstoppable.
The giant was getting closer and closer, so Timun Emas opened the first bag she got from Mbok Sirni. Inside the bag were cucumber seeds. She threw the seeds, and instantly they grew into large cucumber field. But the giant ate them all, giving him more strength. As the giant was getting close, Timun Emas took the second bag with needles inside and spilled the content behind her. The needles turned into bamboo trees, sharp and thorny. The giant’s body was scratched and bled. “Aaargh, I’ll get you, Timun Emas!” shouted the giant as he tried to get himself out from the bamboo field. He made it and still chasing Timun Emas.
Timun Emas then reached the third bag and spilled the salt inside. The ground which the salt touched turned into a deep sea. The giant almost drown and had to swim to cross the sea. After some time, he managed to get out from the water. Timun Emas saw the giant coming, so she reached for the last bag. She took the shrimp paste and threw it. The shrimp paste became a big swamp of boiling mud. The giant was trapped in the middle of the swamp. The mud slowly but surely drowned him. Helpless, he roared out, “Help! Heeeeelp…!” Then the giant drown and died. Timun Mas then immediately went home. Since then, Timun Emas and Mbok Sirni live happily ever after.***
THE LEGENDS OF INDONESIA
Cerita rakyat from West Sumatra
Malin Kundang
Once upon a time, on the north coast of Sumatra lived a poor woman and his son. The boy was called Malin Kundang. They didn’t earn much as fishing was their only source of income. Malin Kundang grew up as a skillful young boy. He always helps his mother to earn some money. However, as they were only fisherman’s helper, they still lived in poverty. “Mother, what if I sail overseas?” asked Malin Kundang one day to his mother. Her mother didn’t agree but Malin Kundang had made up his mind. “Mother, if I stay here, I’ll always be a poor man. I want to be a successful person,” urged Malin kundang. His mother wiped her tears, “If you really want to go, I can’t stop you. I could only pray to God for you to gain success in life,” said his mother wisely. “But, promise me, you’ll come home.”
In the next morning, Malin Kundang was ready to go. Three days ago, he met one of the successful ship’s crew. Malin was offered to join him. “Take a good care of yourself, son,” said Malin Kundang’s mother as she gave him some food supplies. “Yes, Mother,” Malin Kundang said. “You too have to take a good care of yourself. I’ll keep in touch with you,” he continued before kissing his mother’s hand. Before Malin stepped onto the ship, Malin’s mother hugged him tight as if she didn’t want to let him go.
It had been three months since Malin Kundang left his mother. As his mother had predicted before, he hadn’t contacted her yet. Every morning, she stood on the pier. She wished to see the ship that brought Malin kundang home. Every day and night, she prayed to the God for her son’s safety. There was so much prayer that had been said due to her deep love for Malin Kundang. Even though it’s been a year she had not heard any news from Malin Kundang, she kept waiting and praying for him.
After several years waiting without any news, Malin Kundang’s mother was suddenly surprised by the arrival of a big ship in the pier where she usually stood to wait for her son. When the ship finally pulled over, Malin Kundang’s mother saw a man who looked wealthy stepping down a ladder along with a beautiful woman. She could not be wrong. Her blurry eyes still easily recognized him. The man was Malin Kundang, her son.
Malin Kundang’s mother quickly went to see her beloved son. “Malin, you’re back, son!” said Malin Kundang’s mother and without hesitation, she came running to hug Malin Kundang, “I miss you so much.” But, Malin Kundang didn’t show any respond. He was ashamed to admit his own mother in front of his beautiful wife. “You’re not my Mother. I don’t know you. My mother would never wear such ragged and ugly clothes,” said Malin Kundang as he release his mother embrace.
Malin Kundang’s mother take a step back, “Malin…You don’t recognize me? I’m your mother!” she said sadly. Malin Kundang’s face was as cold as ice. “Guard, take this old women out of here,” Malin Kundang ordered his bodyguard. “Give her some money so she won’t disturb me again!” Malin Kundang’s mother cried as she was dragged by the bodyguard, ”Malin... my son. Why do you treat your own mother like this?”
Malin Kundang ignored his mother and ordered the ship crews to set sail. Malin Kundang’s mother sat alone in the pier. Her heart was so hurt, she cried and cried. “Dear God, if he isn’t my son, please let him have a save journey. But if he is, I cursed him to become a stone,” she prayed to the God.
In the quiet sea, suddenly the wind blew so hard and a thunderstorm came. Malin Kundang’s huge ship was wrecked. He was thrown by the wave out of his ship, and fell on a small island. Suddenly, his whole body turned into stone. He was punished for not admitting his own mother.***
Cerita rakyat from East Java
Cindelaras
Raden Putra was the king of Jenggala kingdom. He had a beautiful queen and concubine. Unlike the queen, the concubine had bad personalities. She was envious and jealous with the queen, so she planned to make the queen leave the palace. The concubine then asked the royal healer to help her in her plan. One day, the concubine pretended to be ill. Raden Putra called the royal healer to give the concubine treatments. “What is her disease?” Raden Putra asked the royal healer. “I’m very sorry, My Majesty. She is sick because the queen put poison in her meal,” the royal healer lied.
Raden Putra was shock and angry to hear the explanation. He called the queen and asked her if the story was true. Of course the queen denied, but Raden Putra won’t listen. “Please Your Majesty, have mercy. I really didn’t do anything,” cried the queen in her tears. Raden Putra’s anger ended in a decision. The queen should be banished to the woods and terminated. He did not know that the queen was already pregnant. Raden Putra commanded one of his general to do the punishment. The queen was banished to the woods, but the wise general didn’t have the heart to kill her. He built a simple house in the woods for her. On his way back to the palace, he smeared his sword with rabbit blood, so Raden Putra would believe that he had killed the queen.
After the general left, the queen lived by herself in the woods. Several months later, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. The baby was named Cindelaras. He grew up as a nice, healthy, and handsome boy. One day, while Cindelaras helped her mother to collect some fire woods, an eagle dropped an egg. Cindelaras brought the egg to be brooded by a chicken behind their house. The egg hatched into a chick and then it slowly became a strong rooster. The rooster is no ordinary rooster. The rooster could sing. Every morning, the rooster woke Cindelaras up with its beautiful song, “My master is Cindelaras. His house is in the woods. He’s the son of Raden Putra.” The rooster often sang that song.
Cindelaras always woke up early in the morning and listen happily to his rooster’s song. He didn’t realize the meaning of the song until one day, he started to think. “Who is Raden Putra?” he asked his mother. The queen then told him the whole story. She also told him why they were banned from the kingdom and lived in the woods. Cindelaras was very surprised. He decided to go to the palace to meet the king, his father. Cindelaras asked her mother’s permission to go to the kingdom and to tell the king what really happened. He also brought his rooster that grew bigger and stronger each day.
On his way, Cindelaras stopped at a village. There, he met some people who were involved in cockfighting. They challenge him to see how strong his rooster was. “If your rooster wins, you’ll get a reward,” said the man who challenged him. Cindelaras accepted the challenge. In a few minutes, his rooster defeated the opponent’s rooster. He was challenged again by other man, and one more time, his rooster won. He won again and again.
The news about Cindelaras’ rooster quickly spread to the whole Jenggala kingdom and made Raden Putra curious. So, he invited Cindelaras to the palace. “What is your name, boy?” Raden Putra asked as Cindelaras arrived in the palace. “My name is Cindelaras, Your Majesty,” Cindelaras answered. He felt both thrilled and happy to see Raden Putra.
Raden Putra challenged Cindelaras with one condition. If Raden Putra’s rooster won, Cindelaras’ head would be cut off. But if Cindelaras’ rooster won, Raden Putra would share half of his wealth. Cindelaras accepted the condition. The competition was held in the front yard of the palace. The two roosters fought bravely. But in just a few minutes, Cindelaras’ rooster won the fight! Raden Putra shook his head and stared at Cindelaras from his seat, “That rooster is no ordinary rooster, and the boy is not an ordinaty boy either. Who is he exactly?” he thought. Raden Putra was about to asked when suddenly Cindelaras’ rooster sang the song, “My master is Cindelaras. His house is in the woods. He’s the son of Raden Putra.”
Raden Putra was surprised. “Is it true?” he asked. “Yes, My Majesty. My name is Cindelaras and my mother was the queen,” said Cindelaras. Raden putra called the general who had banished the queen. The general then confessed that he never killed the queen. Later, the royal healer also admitted his mistake. Raden Putra was so shocked. He immediately went to the woods to pick up the queen. Ever since, Cindelaras and his parents lived happily together. As for the concubine, she was sent to the jail as punishment.***
Cerita rakyat from East Java
Jaka Tarub and Nawang Wulan
Jaka Tarub was a handsome and diligent young man. He lived in a village near a lake. One day, when Jaka Tarub passed the lake, he heard some giggles and laughs of some girls who were bathing in the lake. He was curious, so he peeped through the bushes. There were seven beautiful girls in the lake. They’re fairies from the heavenly kingdom of kahyangan. Jaka Tarub saw a scarf near the bushes. It belonged to one of the fairies. Jaka Tarub then took it and hid it.
Crack!!! Accidentally, Jaka Tarub stepped on a twig. “There’s someone!” said one of the fairies. “Let’s get back. Hurry!” she said. They pulled over and wear their scarf. “Where is my scarf?” one of the fairies couldn’t find her scarf. She was the youngest fairy called Nawang Wulan. They tried to search for it, but it was no where to be found. “We’re sorry, Wulan. We have to go back to kahyangan,” said the eldest fairy. “You’ll have to find it by yourself. We’ll wait for you in kahyangan,” she said in empathy. The other fairies then flew to the sky leaving Nawang Wulan behind. Nawang Wulan saw them leaving in tears. She was so sad.
“Excuse me …,” said Jaka Tarub, startling Nawang Wulan. “Are you okay?” he asked. Nawang Wulan moved backward, “Who are you?” she asked. “My name is Jaka Tarub. I was passing by and I heard you crying, so I came to see what happen,” Jaka Tarub lied. Nawang Wulan then told him about her problem. “I can’t fly without my scarf,” she said. Jaka Tarub then asked Nawang Wulan to come home with him. At first, Nawang Wulan refused the offer. But since she didn’t have anywhere else to go, Nawang Wulan then decided to follow Jaka Tarub.
Nawang Wulan stayed with Jaka Tarub in the village. A month passed, and they decided to get married. Nawang Wulan was willing to marry a human because she fell in love with Jaka Tarub. After a year, they had a beautiful daughter. They named her Kumalasari. They lived happily.
Jaka Tarub was also happy to live with Nawang Wulan and Kumalasari. Especially because he always got a lot of harvest since he married Nawang Wulan. He couldn’t even keep all of his harvest in the barn because it was always full. “It’s so weird. Nawang Wulan cooked everyday, but why is my barn always full,” Jaka Tarub mumbled to himself. He was so curious. One day, Jaka Tarub stayed at home. “I want to stay home today. I’d like to play with Kumalasari,” he said to his wife. “Well, I’ll go to the river to wash the clothes. Please keep an eye on Kumalasari,” asked Nawang Wulan. “I’m cooking rice now. Please do not open the pan cover before it’s done,” she said just before she left. “Could this be the secret?” Jaka Tarub thought. After Nawang Wulan left, he curiously opened the pan cover. He found only one single paddy. “How come?” he wondered.
Before lunch, Nawang Wulan came home. She headed to the kitchen to see the rice she had cooked. She found that the rice turned into only a few grains. “Did you open the pan cover?” she asked her husband. “I… I’m sorry. I was curious,” Jaka Tarub said as he realized his fault.
Ever since, Nawang Wulan had lost her power. She couldn’t cook rice with only a single paddy. Their paddy supply was slowly lessened. Their barn was almost empty. One day, Nawang Wulan went to the barn to get some paddy. When she took one of them, she found a scarf. “What’s this? This is my scarf,” said Nawang Wulan startled.
That night, Nawang Wulan asked her husband about the scarf. Jaka Tarub’s eyes widened, “You found it?” he asked. Jaka Tarub looked down and asked for her forgiveness. “Because I’ve found my scarf, it’s time for me to go back to where I belong,” Nawang Wulan said. Jaka Tarub tried to stop her, but Nawang Wulan had made up her mind. “Please take good care of Kumalasari,” she said. “If she wanted to see me, take seven grains of candlenut and put it into a basket. Shake it as you play the bamboo flute. I’ll come to see her,” she explained.
Jaka Tarub promised to take good care of their daughter. He once again asked for forgiveness for all of his mistakes. “I’ve forgiven you, so you don’t have to feel guilty. I must go now. Take care,” said Nawang Wulan as she flew to the bright full moon.***
Cerita rakyat from South Kalimantan
Legend of Gunung Batu Bangkai
Many years ago, in Loksado, lived a young man with his mother. He was called Andung Kuswara. He was a smart young man. He had medical skill that he learned from his late father. Andung Kuswara worked hard everyday to fulfill their daily needs. One day, Andung Kuswara went to the forest alone, searching for fruits and vegetables. On his way home, he found an old man squeezed badly between two big trees. Andung Kuswara immediately helped him. He then healed his wound perfectly. “Dear young man, I thank you for your help,” the old man said and took something hanging on his neck. “As my gratitude, I give you this necklace. Hopefully it would bring good fortune for you,” said the old man. Andung Kuswara took the gift and went home.
Both Andung Kuswara and his mother passed their times happily. But Andung Kuswara wanted a better life for him and his mother. “Maybe it is better to leave my home to another country and practice my medical skill,” he thought. However, he had not enough courage to tell his intention to his mother. He knew his mother would be alone if he left. After a month passed, finally Andung Kuswara told his mother about his intention. “Mother, I want to make our life better. I want to go to other country and find a better job,” he said to his mother. “Andung… my son. If it is your final decision, I won’t stop you. All I can do is pray for you to find what you’re searching for,” his mother said wisely. “Thank you, Mother,” Andung Kuswara smiled happily.
The next morning, Andung Kuswara left his homeland to pursue his dream. He went overseas. He walked for weeks until he reached the kingdom of Basiang. On his way, he met a farmer whose body was full of ulcers and scabies. Andung Kuswara tried to help him. He cured the farmer with his medical skill.
The farmer was so happy. He offered Andung Kuswara to stay at his home. He also told Andung Kuswara that almost all inhabitants of the country were suffering from the same diseases. The news about Andung Kuswara’s medical skill quickly spread throughout the whole country. All sick people come to him to be cured from their sickness.
The king of Basiang also heard the news about Andung Kuswara’s excellent medical skill. The king then ordered his guard to brought Andung Kuswara to cure the princess who was also been sick. “My daughter has been on her bed for two weeks. She can not do anything. Many healers had attempted to recover her, but they failed. Will you cure her?” asked the king to Andung Kuswara. “My Majesty, I am just a poor wanderer and I have minimal medical skill. So, please forgive me if I also fail in recovering the princess”, Andung Kuswara replied.
Andung Kuswara was then allowed to enter the princess‘s room. The princess was very pale and weak. However, her beauty clearly seemed through her wonderful face. Andung Kuswara was amazed looking at her, “Ah, the princess is so beautiful,” he said to himself. He then tried to cure the princess with all his skill, but the princess did not move at all. Andung Kuswara then thought of another way. He took the necklace hanging on his neck. The necklace was soaked in the cup of water for a moment. After reading some prayers upon the water, Andung Kuswara spattered it on the princess‘s face for several times. Suddenly, the princess could move her body. Her eyes and lips opened, and her face turned bright. The princess was eventually able to sit on her bed.
The king was very grateful for Andung Kuswara‘s help to his only daughter. To express his gratefulness, he allowed Andung Kuswara to marry his daughter. The princess was happy to welcome Andung as her husband. The same was felt by Andung who fell in love with the princess.
A year passed, and the princess was pregnant. She told her husband that she desired to eat kasturi fruit that only grew in Kalimantan Island. Andung Kuswara‘s accompanied by several kingdom troops went to search the fruit. After arriving at the Kalimantan Island, Andung Kuswara headed to Loksado to find the kasturi tree which, according to local people, was bearing fruit. Andung Kuswara stood surprisingly after knowing that the tree grew exactly in front of his mother‘s small hut. Andung Kuswara immediately commanded the troops to return to the kingdom without taking the fruit to avoid meeting his own mother.
But suddenly Andung Kuswara’s mother went out from the hut. She saw her son among the troops in front of her home. “Andung…Andung…my son,” she tried to call her son. Andung Kuswara and the troops continuously walked to keep away from the old woman. However, she ran after them and kept calling for his son. Feeling ashamed in front of the troops, Andung Kuswara said angrily to his own mother, “Stop calling me as your son, old woman. I am a nobility of the Basiang Kingdom. I never know an old woman like you.” After that, Andung kuswara continued walking.
Andung Kuswara’s mother was shocked to hear those words from her beloved son. She cried and prayed with trembling lips, “Oh my God, show your power and justice.” Her tears had not been drying when the sky suddenly turned dark and thunder stroke repeatedly. After that, a sudden storm smashed and heavy rain fell dementedly. Suddenly Andung Kuswara‘s body slowly turned into stone.
Since the time, the locals called the mountain as Gunung Batu Bangkai (mountain of decease stone), because the stone that lays on it resembles human body. The mountain located in the sub district of Loksado, South Kalimantan .***
Cerita rakyat from West Java
Telaga Warna
Long time ago there was a kingdom in West Java. The kingdom was ruled by a king called Prabu. He was a kind and wise king. Under Prabu’s leadership, the kingdom grew into a prosperous kingdom. There’s no hunger in the kingdom. Everybody in the kingdom loved their king. But, there’s one problem. The king and his queen hadn’t got any children. It made the couple very sad. That was why Prabu decided to go to the jungle. There, he meditated and prayed to God. Everyday he begged for a child. His dream finally came true. A few months later, the queen got pregnant. All people in the kingdom felt very happy. They sent many presents to the palace to express their happiness. Nine months later a baby girl was born. The baby grew as a beautiful teenager then.
Prabu and his queen loved their daughter so much. They gave what ever she wanted. It made the princess grew into a spoiled girl. When her wish couldn’t be fulfilled, she would be very angry. She even said bad things often. Even though the princess behaved badly, her parents still loved her, and so did the people in the kingdom.
Time passed and the princess grew more beautiful. In a few days, the princess would be seventeen years old. That’s why people of that kingdom brought many presents for her. They bring gold and beautiful jewelries. Prabu collected the presents. Then Prabu stored them in a special room. Some times he would take them to give to his people who needed it. Prabu only took a few gold and jewels. Then he brought them to a goldsmith. “Please make a 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 for the princess.
The birthday came. People gathered in the palace field. Then Prabu and the queen appeared. They waved to their beloved people. Cheers were loud and louder when the princess appeared. Everybody admired her beauty. Prabu got up from his chair and took a small pillow. A beautiful necklace was on the pillow. 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,” said Prabu. The princess accepted the necklace. She looked at the necklace in a glance. “I don’t want this necklace! It’s ugly!” shouted the princess as she threw the necklace away. The necklace hit the floor and was broken. The gold and jewels were spread out on the floor.
No body dared to speak. They never thought that their beloved princess would do such a cruel thing. In their silence, people heard the queen crying. Every woman felt sad and began crying too. Then everybody was crying. Suddenly, from the middle of the field, a spring emerged. It quickly became a pool. The palace was getting flooded. Soon the place became a big lake.
Nowadays the water on that lake is not as full as before. There is only a small lake now. People called the lake Telaga Warna (it means lake of colour). On a bright day, the lake is full of colour. These colors come from the reflections of forest, plants, flowers, and sky around the lake. But some people said that the colours are from the princess’ necklace, which spreads at the bottom of the lake.***
Cerita rakyat from Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam
Mentiko Betuah
A long time ago, there was a kingdom in Simeulue, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. The king and the queen had a son, Prince Rohib. They loved the prince very much and they always gave him anything he wanted. That’s why the prince grew as a spoiled young man. The prince was then sent to study in a school. The King told him to study seriously. But because the prince was used to be spoiled, he couldn’t finish his study in time. The King was so angry. He realized his mistake. He wanted to give the prince a lesson. He then ordered the prince to leave the palace and became a merchant. "I will give you some money. Use the money only for trading. Don't come back until you are rich!" said the king.
Prince Rohib was sad. He knew his father was angry with him because he was a spoiled boy. He then promised himself that he could become a great merchant. After he left the palace, he went to a village. While he was walking, he saw some kids were trying to shoot a bird using their slingshots. “Stop… Don't hurt the bird!” Rohib tried to stop the kids. “Hey, it’s none of your business,” replied one of the kids. “I'll give you some money if you stop hurting the bird," said Rohib. After that, he gave some money to those kids.
Later on his journey, Rohib saw some men were torturing a snake. Again, he asked them to stop hurting the snake. He also gave them some money. He kept on giving some money to people who tortured animals. Finally he ran out of money. He was so worried. He knew he could not become a merchant without any money in his pocket. He was also scared of going home. He knew that his father would be very angry at him.
The prince then went to the forest because he didn’t know anywhere to go. He was so tired, so he took some rest. While he was sitting under a big tree, a giant snake came to him. He was so scared. “Don't worry, young man. I will not eat you,” said the giant snake. “You…you can talk? Who are you?” Rohib asked. “I am the king of snakes in this jungle. I heard you helped many animals from being tortured. Now, I want to give you a gift. This is Mentiko Betuah. This magical stone can give you anything you want." Then the snake went deep into the forest. The prince was very happy. He asked the Mentiko Betuah to give him a lot of money. Then he went home and told his father that the money was from his business as a merchant.
Rohib kept the Mentiko Betuah carefully. He then went to a goldsmith and asked him to make the magical stone as a ring. But the goldsmith stole the Mentiko Betuah. Luckily Rohib had made friends to the animals. He asked a cat, a dog, and a mouse to help him find Mentiko Betuah. The dog followed the smell of the goldsmith, and they found his hideaway. However they could not enter his house because it was locked. Only the mouse was small enough to enter through a small hole in the door.
After waiting for a moment, the mouse came out of the house. He said he could not find the magical stone. After that they all went back to the palace. The cat and the dog did not know that the mouse actually had found the magical stone. He was hiding it in his mouth. The mouse then gave the Mentiko Betuah to the prince. Rohib was so happy and said that the mouse was the hero. The cat and the dog were jealous and angry. They knew that the mouse had tricked them. According to the local people, that’s why until now cats and dogs always tried to catch mice.***
Cerita rakyat from Bali
Manik Angkeran
A long time ago, lived a rich man named Begawan Sidi Mantra. He was very famous for his kindness and also for his supernatural power. He had a son named Manik Angkeran who liked to gamble. Because of Manik Angkeran’s bad habit, his father soon bankrupt. Begawan Sidi Mantra had spent all of his money to pay his son‘s debts. But, Manik Angkeran still liked to gamble and he still owed some people a lot of money.
Begawan Sidi Mantra wanted to help his son to pay the remaining debts. He meditated for days, and finally he got a clue from the gods to go to Agung Mountain. He went to the mountain. There, he met with a dragon named Naga Besukih. It is said that Naga Besukih could provide gold and jewelries to those who could say a certain prayer and ring the sacred bell. Fortunately, Begawan Sidi Mantra had the bell, and he also knew the prayer from his meditation. “My name is Sidi Mantra. I have a problem. My son likes to gamble. I’ve spent all of my money to pay his debts, but it’s still not enough. I came here to ask for your help,” explained Begawan Sidi Mantra after he met with Naga Besukih. “I’ll help you, but you have to advise your son so he would not gamble again,” said Naga Besukih. The dragon then shakes his body and cause some of his scales fall of. Magically, the scales turn into gold and diamonds.
Begawan Sidi Mantra took the gold and diamonds and return home. He paid all the remaining debt and advised his son about his gambling habit. Manik Angkeran promised to stop gambling, but soon he broke the promise. Bagawan Sidi Mantra had to go to the dragon for help once again. “What brought you here again?” asked Naga Besukih. “I’m very sorry, Naga Besukih. My son had disappointed me; he broke his promise to me. I beg for your help once again,” said Begawan Sidi Mantra to the dragon. “I’ll help you, but this is the last time,” said Naga Besukih.
Begawan Sidi Mantra once again paid Manik Angkeran’s debts and advised him not to gamble again. Manik Angkeran promised and soon he broke his promise again. This time, Begawan Sidi Mantra didn’t want to help him anymore. He was too ashamed to meet with the dragon.
Manik Angkeran knew that his father got the jewelries from the dragon. So, he stole his father’s sacred bell and went to Agung Mountain. After he arrived, Manik Angkeran rang the bell. Naga Besukih heard the bell but there’s no prayer. He decided to see who was calling him. “Hey, Manik Angkeran. What are you doing here with your father’s bell? Did you steal it?” asked Naga Besukih angrily when he saw Manik Angkeran. “Please help me, Naga Besukih. I really need the money to pay my debts. Those people would kill me if I don’t pay them in time. Please, I beg for your mercy,” said Manik Angkeran to the dragon. “Okay, I’ll help you. But this is the last time, and you have to promise to stop gambling,” Naga Besukih then give him the jewelries.
But suddenly, Manik Angkeran had a bad idea. He wanted to kill the dragon and take all the jewelries. So he drew his keris and attacked Naga Besukih. He managed to cut the dragon’s tail, but he was no match for Naga Besukih. With his great power, Naga Besukih burned Manik Angkeran and killed him instantly.
In his home, Begawan Sidi Mantra couldn’t find his sacred bell. He knew that his son had stolen it, so he went to Agung Mountain. He was so sad when he found out what happened in the mountain. “I’m very sorry, Naga Besukih. But he was my only son. I beg you, please bring him back to life,” Begawan Sidi Mantra begged the dragon for mercy. Naga Besukih agreed with one condition, Manik Angkeran had to stay at Agung Mountain. Naga Besukih said some prayer and after few moments, Manik Angkeran lived again. Begawan Sidi Mantra then used a stick to make a big line between them on the ground. From the line, water flowed. Soon it became a river. Finally it became a strait. It separated Java and Bali. People then named the strait as Bali Strait.***
Cerita rakyat from North Sumatra
Lake Toba
In the northern area of Sumatra Island, lived a young man. Everyday, he work hard as a farmer. One day in the morning, the young man went fishing in a river. Not so long after he threw the bait, it was bitten by a fish. He pulled the fishing rod and was amazed by the fish he caught. It was a golden fish. “Wait, please don’t eat me,” the fish suddenly spoke to the young man. Startled, the young man dropped the golden fish and it suddenly turned into a beautiful girl.
“I must have been dreaming,” the young man said to himself. “Don’t afraid, Sir. I was a princess cursed by the gods because a mistake I did. You’ve save me,” said the girl. “As my gratitude, I’m willing to be your wife.” The young man was so amazed to see the beauty of the girl, so he accepted her as his wife. They became man and wife but with one condition, the young man promised not to mention about the fish form of the girl. Terrible disaster will happen if the promise is broken.
A year passed, the young man and his wife already had a son. They were so happy. Their son grew up as a healthy boy. But he was a little naughty. He also had a habit, he was always hungry. One day, the wife asked their son to deliver lunch to his father. But, the son ate the food on his way to the fields. The father had been working since morning. He was so hungry. Finding that there’s no food left for him, he said angrily, “Stupid boy! You little fish boy!” He didn’t realize that he broke the promise.
After he said those words, his son and wife mysteriously disappeared. From their footstep on the ground, there’s water bursting out. The water kept coming out and started to flood the area. The whole village and the surrounding area became a lake. There’s a small island in the middle of the lake, known as Samosir Island. And the lake is known as Lake Toba. ***
Cerita rakyat from West Sumatra
Pak Lebai Malang
Pak Lebai was an old man living in a village by the river. Everyday, he used his sampan for travelling at the river. Pak Lebai had a bad habit. He always changed his mind before he did something. He was an inconsistent man. One day, Pak Lebai was invited to a party by his neighbor. Pak lebai was happy. He loved party because he could eat delicious food. He also could get a buffalo's head from the party. Still on the same day, he got another invitation. Those two party invitations made him confused. The two parties were held at the same time, but at different places. The two neighbors who invited him lived in different sides of the river. One neighbor lived on the east side and the other one lived in the west side. "If I go to the west side, I will only get one buffalo’s head. If I go to the east side, I can have two heads of buffalo. But the host at the west side is friendlier,” he said to himself. He was confused.
On the following day, Pak Lebai paddled his sampan to the party at the west side of the river. But then he changed his mind and went to the east side. On the way there, he met with some friends. "The party is awful. There are not many buffalo's heads," said one of them. So, Pak Lebai turned back his sampan again and went to the west side. Unfortunately, the party was already over when he arrived there. Pak Lebai immediately paddled his sampan to the east side again. But he also missed the party.
Pak Lebai was upset and blaming himself for being so inconsistent. He was so hungry and tired because he was padding back and forth in the river. He then fell asleep in his sampan. He did not realize that his sampan was drifting away at the river. When he woke up, he was already in the different village. That’s why all his neighbors started to call him Pak Lebai Malang (poor mister Lebai).***
Cerita rakyat from Central Sulawesi
Legend of Batu Bagga
Long time ago in Sulawesi Island, lived a man named Intobu. He lived alone with his only son, named Impalak. They were poor. Everyday they work as fishermen. They went to the sea every night to catch fish, even in bad weather. Intobu always advised his son, “Being fishermen is our only income. Do not take the bad weather as our enemy.” Impalak nodded. “Yes, Father,” he replied.
Intobu and Impalak worked as fishermen for years. But, Impalak started to feel bored with the job. He wanted to try something new. He wanted to make a better living for his father and himself. One day, Impalak tried to talk to his father about his desire. “Father…, please forgives me,” Impalak felt hesitated. “What is it, my son?” Intobu was curious seeing his son’s strange attitude. “Father, actually I want to quit working as fisherman. I want to go abroad and try working something else,” explained Impalak.
Intobu was sad hearing his son’s decision, but he also wanted Impalak to be a successful person. “If that is your decision, I couldn’t do anything else but to allow you. I can only pray for your safety and success” said Intobu. “But I want you to always remember your homeland. Always remember your father,” he continued. “Yes, Father. I will remember. Thank you,” said Impalak happily.
In the next day, Impalak went to the harbor. He saw a bagga (sailboat) and went to see the owner. “Excuse me, Sir. I’m wondering if I can sail with you?” asked Impalak. The bagga’s owner was silent for a moment. “It’s not a problem for me. But why do you want to sail with me, and have you asked permission from your parents?” asked the bagga’s owner then. “I worked here as fishermen with my father, but I want to try my luck abroad. My father already agreed with my plan,” said Impalak. “All right, I will set sail tomorrow. Come met me here in the morning. And by the way, what’s your name?” asked the bagga’s owner. “Thank you, Sir. My name is Impalak, Sir,” Impalak answered happily.
Back in his house, Impalak told his father about the bagga boat. “When do you depart?” asked Intobu. “Tomorrow, Father,” answered Impalak. The next morning, impalak went to the harbor together with his father. The bagga was ready to set sail. “Hurry, Impalak!” shout the bagga’s owner. Impalak kissed his father’s hand, “I’m going, Father. Take care,” said Impalak. “Go, Son. My blessing is with you,” said Intobu. There were tears in his eyes as he saw the bagga leaving the harbor.
A few years passed. Every time Intobu saw a bagga boat, he always hoped that his son is coming home. But there’s no news at all from Impalak. One day, Intobu went fishing as usual. He used his small sampan and headed to the open water near the harbor. But then he saw a bagga heading to the harbor.
When the bagga was getting close to Intobu’s sampan, he saw a handsome young man standing in front of the bagga’s deck. The young man was accompanied by his beautiful wife. Intobu recognized the young man. He was Impalak, his son. “Impalak! Impalak, my son!” Intobu shout happily.
Impalak heard his father’s shouting, but he ignored him. “Honey, there’s someone down there calling your name. Is that your father?” asked his wife. “No, he’s not my father. Just ignore him, honey” Impalak was embarrassed to acknowledge his old father in front of his beautiful wife.
Intobu tried to row his sampan closer to the bagga, but suddenly there’s a big waves in the sea. Intobu’s sampan was hit by the waves and almost drowned. “Help… Help me… Impalak, help…!” Intobu was shouting, asking help from his son. But Impalak ignored his father. He even turned his bagga into the opposite direction from Intobu’s sampan.
Intobu’s heart was broken to see his son’s ignorance. His felling is mixed with sadness and anger. He looked into the sky and prayed, “Oh, God. Please hear my prayer. I curse that rebellious son’s bagga into stone.” Not long after Intobu said the prayer, a storm came and struck Impalak’s bagga. The wind blew so hard, pushing the bagga to the shore. Suddenly, the bagga and Impalak turned into stone. The stone still exist until now. People called it Batu Bagga (Bagga Stone).***
Cerita rakyat from Riau
The Greedy Man
Once upon a time in Riau, lived a pair of husband and wife. They were very poor. The wife was very diligent, while the husband was very lazy. He just slept and slept everyday. He did not want to help his wife to earn a living. The wife was helpless, she often prayed to God to help her husband.
One night the husband had a dream. In his dream, an old man came to him. He told the husband to take his sampan and went to river. "Go to the middle of the river and wait until a rope appears from the river. Take the rope slowly, and then you will find a golden chain. You can cut and take it, but don't take the chain too long," said the old man. The husband then woke up from his dream.
In the next day, the husband took his sampan and went to river. He wanted to do the old man's advice as said in his dream last night. "Where are you going?" asked the wife. She was so surprised to see her husband was busy preparing the sampan. "I want to go fishing, Honey. See you later!" the husband didn’t want to tell his wife about his dream. He knew his wife would think he was crazy by following up a dream.
After the husband arrived in the river, he rowed his sampan until he reached the middle of the river. He then looked around the water surface very carefully. Suddenly a rope appeared from the river. "The old man was right!" said the husband to himself. He then slowly pulled the rope and at the end of the rope he saw a golden chain! The chain was sparkling and glowing. It was made from pure gold. "Wow! It’s really made of gold. I’m rich. I’m rich," the husband said happily. He kept pulling the chain. He forgot the old man's advice to take only short chain because it was enough for him. The poor man became greedy. He wanted to take the golden chain as long as possible.
While he was busy pulling out the golden chain, a bird came to him. It talked, "Remember the old man's advice. Take only a short golden chain." But the poor man ignored the bird and kept on pulling out the chain. Slow but sure, his sampan was full of the golden chain. It was so full that finally the sampan could not hold the weight any more. The sampan started to drown. The golden chain was sinking and went to the bottom of the river creating a big wave in the river. The wave almost swallowed the poor man. He was so panicked. He swam as fast as possible to the river side.
When he arrived on the river side, he felt sorry to himself. He blamed himself for being a greedy man. But it was already too late. But then he realized that it was a lesson for him to work hard if he wanted to earn money.***
Cerita rakyat from Central Java
Timun Emas
Long time ago, lived an old women named Mbok Sirni. She lived by herself because her husband had long passed away and she had no children. Every day, she prayed so God would give her a child. One night, when she was praying, a giant passed her house and heard her pray. “I can give you a child on one condition,” the giant said to Mbok Sirni, “You must give the child back to me when it is six years old.” Mbok Sirni was so happy; she did not think about the risk of losing the child later and agreed to take the giant’s offer. The giant then gave her a bunch of cucumber seeds. “Plant it around your house.” The giant then left without saying anything else. In the morning, Mbok Sirni planted the seeds. The seeds grew within mere days, and blossomed plentifully.Not longer after that, a big golden cucumber grew from plants. Carefully, Mbok Sirni plucked the golden cucumber and carried it home. With caution and care, she sliced the cucumber. She was very surprised to see a beautiful baby girl inside the cucumber. She then named the baby Timun Emas (it means Golden Cucumber).
Years passed by and Timun Emas has grew to become a lovely and beautiful little girl. She was also smart and kind. Mbok Sirni loved her very much. But she kept thinking about the time the giant would take Timun Emas away from her. One night, Mbok Sirni had a dream. In order to save Timun Emas from the giant, she had to meet the holy man who lived in Mount Gundul. The next morning, Mbok Sirni took leave of Timun Emas to go to Mount Gundul. The holy man then gave her four little bags, each one containing cucumber seeds, needles, salt, and shrimp paste. “Timun Emas can use these to protect herself,” said the holy man to Mbok Sirni.
A few days later, the giant came to see Mbok Sirni about her promise. “Mbok Sirni! Where is Timun Emas?” shouted the giant. "My daughter, take these bag with you. It can save you from the giant. Now, run through the back door," said Mbok Sirni. But the giant saw Timun Emas running to the woods. The giant was angry. Starved and enraged, he rushed toward Timun Emas. Mbok Sirni tried to stop him, but the giant was unstoppable.
The giant was getting closer and closer, so Timun Emas opened the first bag she got from Mbok Sirni. Inside the bag were cucumber seeds. She threw the seeds, and instantly they grew into large cucumber field. But the giant ate them all, giving him more strength. As the giant was getting close, Timun Emas took the second bag with needles inside and spilled the content behind her. The needles turned into bamboo trees, sharp and thorny. The giant’s body was scratched and bled. “Aaargh, I’ll get you, Timun Emas!” shouted the giant as he tried to get himself out from the bamboo field. He made it and still chasing Timun Emas.
Timun Emas then reached the third bag and spilled the salt inside. The ground which the salt touched turned into a deep sea. The giant almost drown and had to swim to cross the sea. After some time, he managed to get out from the water. Timun Emas saw the giant coming, so she reached for the last bag. She took the shrimp paste and threw it. The shrimp paste became a big swamp of boiling mud. The giant was trapped in the middle of the swamp. The mud slowly but surely drowned him. Helpless, he roared out, “Help! Heeeeelp…!” Then the giant drown and died. Timun Mas then immediately went home. Since then, Timun Emas and Mbok Sirni live happily ever after.***
Cerita rakyat from Central Java
Loro Jonggrang
Long time ago, there was a kingdom named Prambanan. All the people of Prambanan lived peacefully. But then, Prambanan kingdom was attacked and occupied by the Pengging kingdom. Prambanan then was ruled by Bandung Bondowoso of Pengging kingdom. He was a mean king. He also had great supernatural power. His soldiers were not only humans, but also genies.
The king of Prambanan had a beautiful daughter named Loro Jonggrang. Bandung Bondowoso fell in love with her and wanted to marry her. “You’re very beautiful. Would you be my queen?” asked Bandung Bondowoso. Loro Jonggrang was shocked. She didn’t like Bandung Bondowoso because he was a mean person. She wanted to refuse, but she afraid that Bandung Bondowoso would be angry and endangered the people of Prambanan. Then, she came up with a plan. “If you want to marry me, you have to build a thousand temples for me in just one night," said Loro Jonggrang. “What? That’s impossible!” said Bandung Bondowoso. But he did not give up. He consulted with his advisor. “Your Majesty can asked the genies to help built the temples,” said the advisor.
So, Bandung Bondowoso summoned his entire genies soldier and commanded them to help him built a thousand temples. The genies worked in unbelievable speed. Meanwhile, Loro Jonggrang heard from her servant that the building of a thousand temples was almost finished. She was so worried. But again, she came up with a great idea. She asked all of her servants to help her. "Please prepare a lot of straw and mortar. Please hurry up!" said Loro Jonggrang. “Burn the straw and make some noise pounding the mortar, quickly.” All those servants did what Loro Jonggrang ordered them; burning straw and pounding the mortar, making the genies think that the sun is going to rise.
“It’s already dawn. We have to go,” said the leader of the genies to Bandung Bondowoso. All the genies immediately stopped their work and ran for cover from the sun, which they afraid of. They didn’t know that the light was from the fire that burning the straw, not from the sun.
Bandung Bondowoso can’t stop the genies from leaving. He was angry. He knew Loro Jonggrang had 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." He pointed his finger to Loro Jonggrang and said some mantras. Magically, Loro Jonggrang’s body turned into stone. Until now, the temple is still standing in Prambanan area, Central Java. And the temple is called Loro Jonggrang temple.***
Cerita rakyat from Central Java
Mouse Deer and Crocodile
One day, Mouse Deer went down to the river to take a drink. But he knew that the crocodile might be waiting underwater to eat him, so he said out loud. “I wonder if the water’s warm. I’ll put in my leg and find out.” Of course Mouse Deer didn’t put in his leg. He picked up a stick instead and put one end into the water. Chomp…! Crocodile grabbed the stick and pulled it underwater. Mouse Deer laughed. “Ha… ha…ha… Stupid crocodile! Cant you tell the difference between a stick and a leg?” Then Mouse Deer ran off to drink somewhere else.
In the next day, Mouse Deer wanted to cross the river. He wanted to eat the fruits on the other side of the river. He saw a floating log in the river. He knew that Crocodile looked like a log when he floated. Mouse Deer didn’t want to be eaten by Crocodile when he crosses the river. He had an idea. He called out loud, “Crocodile!” Crocodile rose from the water, “Hello, Mouse Deer. Have you come to be my lunch?” Mouse Deer smiled. “Sorry, not today, Crocodile. I have orders from the King. He wants to invite all the crocodiles in this river to a party. He wants me to count all the crocodiles so he could prepare enough meal for you.”
“Really…? Tell us what to do,” said Crocodile. “You must line up from this side of the river to the other side,” said Mouse Deer. Crocodile then got all his friends and family. They lined up across the river. Mouse Deer then jumped onto Crocodile’s back. “One,” he counted. He jumped onto the next crocodile, “Two.” And the next crocodile, “Three.” Mouse Deer kept jumping until he arrived on the other side of the river. “How many are there?” asked Crocodile. “Just enough,” said Mouse Deer. He laughed as he ran to the forest.***
PRINCESS MANDALIKA
Once upon a time, there was a kingdom in Lombok Island that was ruled by a king named Raja Tonjang Beru. He was a wise king. He had a queen named Dewi Seranting. He also had a beautiful daughter named Princess Mandalika. It is said that princess Mandalika was the prettiest girl in the whole island. Everybody knew about Princess Mandalika’s beauty and kindness, even the people from other kingdom around the island.
Princes from all over the place wanted to marry her. One by one, they came to propose her. Princess Mandalika was a kind girl. She hated to make people sad. So, when those princes came to propose her, she was very confused. She could not decide, and she didn’t want to make them sad. She also didn’t want to cause a war to happen because of her.
To solve the problem, Raja Tonjang Beru then held a competition in Seger Kuta beach. He asked all the princes to take part in archery competition. The rule was simple; whoever shot the target perfectly will be accepted as Princess Mandalika’s future husband. One by one, all participants tried their best. After some time, there was no winner. All the participants were great in archery.
Because there was no a winner, all the participants started to argue. They claimed to be the best. The argument was getting hotter. Finally, they all were fighting. Soon, the fighting got bigger. It was like a war, because all the princes brought their soldiers in the archery competition. Princess Mandalika was really worried. She did not want the war to get bigger and hurt many people. Finally, she had an idea. "Everybody, listen up! I know you all love me and want me to be your wife. But I don't want you to fight because of me. And I don't want you to be sad either. I want you all to have me, but not as your wife. I want to be someone that everybody can have," said Princess Mandalika.
Raja Tonjang Beru and all other people in the beach did not understand what she meant. The king then came to her. But suddenly, Princess Mandalika jumped to the sea. She disappeared in the big waves. Everybody was surprised. It was chaos on the beach. All the princes tried to swim to find the princess, but they found nothing.
After several hours trying to search the princess, suddenly they found a lot of colorful sea worms on the beach. Raja Tonjang Beru then realized that his daughter had returned as sea worms. The worms were then called nyale. Until now, people in Lombok always try to catch nyale. Nyale is very delicious and that is why a lot of people come to Lombok to catch it. However, they can only find it once a year, in February or March. The tradition to catch the sea worms is called Bau Nyale.***
Malin Kundang
Once upon a time, on the north coast of Sumatra lived a poor woman and his son. The boy was called Malin Kundang. They didn’t earn much as fishing was their only source of income. Malin Kundang grew up as a skillful young boy. He always helps his mother to earn some money. However, as they were only fisherman’s helper, they still lived in poverty. “Mother, what if I sail overseas?” asked Malin Kundang one day to his mother. Her mother didn’t agree but Malin Kundang had made up his mind. “Mother, if I stay here, I’ll always be a poor man. I want to be a successful person,” urged Malin kundang. His mother wiped her tears, “If you really want to go, I can’t stop you. I could only pray to God for you to gain success in life,” said his mother wisely. “But, promise me, you’ll come home.”
In the next morning, Malin Kundang was ready to go. Three days ago, he met one of the successful ship’s crew. Malin was offered to join him. “Take a good care of yourself, son,” said Malin Kundang’s mother as she gave him some food supplies. “Yes, Mother,” Malin Kundang said. “You too have to take a good care of yourself. I’ll keep in touch with you,” he continued before kissing his mother’s hand. Before Malin stepped onto the ship, Malin’s mother hugged him tight as if she didn’t want to let him go.
It had been three months since Malin Kundang left his mother. As his mother had predicted before, he hadn’t contacted her yet. Every morning, she stood on the pier. She wished to see the ship that brought Malin kundang home. Every day and night, she prayed to the God for her son’s safety. There was so much prayer that had been said due to her deep love for Malin Kundang. Even though it’s been a year she had not heard any news from Malin Kundang, she kept waiting and praying for him.
After several years waiting without any news, Malin Kundang’s mother was suddenly surprised by the arrival of a big ship in the pier where she usually stood to wait for her son. When the ship finally pulled over, Malin Kundang’s mother saw a man who looked wealthy stepping down a ladder along with a beautiful woman. She could not be wrong. Her blurry eyes still easily recognized him. The man was Malin Kundang, her son.
Malin Kundang’s mother quickly went to see her beloved son. “Malin, you’re back, son!” said Malin Kundang’s mother and without hesitation, she came running to hug Malin Kundang, “I miss you so much.” But, Malin Kundang didn’t show any respond. He was ashamed to admit his own mother in front of his beautiful wife. “You’re not my Mother. I don’t know you. My mother would never wear such ragged and ugly clothes,” said Malin Kundang as he release his mother embrace.
Malin Kundang’s mother take a step back, “Malin…You don’t recognize me? I’m your mother!” she said sadly. Malin Kundang’s face was as cold as ice. “Guard, take this old women out of here,” Malin Kundang ordered his bodyguard. “Give her some money so she won’t disturb me again!” Malin Kundang’s mother cried as she was dragged by the bodyguard, ”Malin... my son. Why do you treat your own mother like this?”
Malin Kundang ignored his mother and ordered the ship crews to set sail. Malin Kundang’s mother sat alone in the pier. Her heart was so hurt, she cried and cried. “Dear God, if he isn’t my son, please let him have a save journey. But if he is, I cursed him to become a stone,” she prayed to the God.
In the quiet sea, suddenly the wind blew so hard and a thunderstorm came. Malin Kundang’s huge ship was wrecked. He was thrown by the wave out of his ship, and fell on a small island. Suddenly, his whole body turned into stone. He was punished for not admitting his own mother.***
Cerita rakyat from East Java
Cindelaras
Raden Putra was the king of Jenggala kingdom. He had a beautiful queen and concubine. Unlike the queen, the concubine had bad personalities. She was envious and jealous with the queen, so she planned to make the queen leave the palace. The concubine then asked the royal healer to help her in her plan. One day, the concubine pretended to be ill. Raden Putra called the royal healer to give the concubine treatments. “What is her disease?” Raden Putra asked the royal healer. “I’m very sorry, My Majesty. She is sick because the queen put poison in her meal,” the royal healer lied.
Raden Putra was shock and angry to hear the explanation. He called the queen and asked her if the story was true. Of course the queen denied, but Raden Putra won’t listen. “Please Your Majesty, have mercy. I really didn’t do anything,” cried the queen in her tears. Raden Putra’s anger ended in a decision. The queen should be banished to the woods and terminated. He did not know that the queen was already pregnant. Raden Putra commanded one of his general to do the punishment. The queen was banished to the woods, but the wise general didn’t have the heart to kill her. He built a simple house in the woods for her. On his way back to the palace, he smeared his sword with rabbit blood, so Raden Putra would believe that he had killed the queen.
After the general left, the queen lived by herself in the woods. Several months later, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. The baby was named Cindelaras. He grew up as a nice, healthy, and handsome boy. One day, while Cindelaras helped her mother to collect some fire woods, an eagle dropped an egg. Cindelaras brought the egg to be brooded by a chicken behind their house. The egg hatched into a chick and then it slowly became a strong rooster. The rooster is no ordinary rooster. The rooster could sing. Every morning, the rooster woke Cindelaras up with its beautiful song, “My master is Cindelaras. His house is in the woods. He’s the son of Raden Putra.” The rooster often sang that song.
Cindelaras always woke up early in the morning and listen happily to his rooster’s song. He didn’t realize the meaning of the song until one day, he started to think. “Who is Raden Putra?” he asked his mother. The queen then told him the whole story. She also told him why they were banned from the kingdom and lived in the woods. Cindelaras was very surprised. He decided to go to the palace to meet the king, his father. Cindelaras asked her mother’s permission to go to the kingdom and to tell the king what really happened. He also brought his rooster that grew bigger and stronger each day.
On his way, Cindelaras stopped at a village. There, he met some people who were involved in cockfighting. They challenge him to see how strong his rooster was. “If your rooster wins, you’ll get a reward,” said the man who challenged him. Cindelaras accepted the challenge. In a few minutes, his rooster defeated the opponent’s rooster. He was challenged again by other man, and one more time, his rooster won. He won again and again.
The news about Cindelaras’ rooster quickly spread to the whole Jenggala kingdom and made Raden Putra curious. So, he invited Cindelaras to the palace. “What is your name, boy?” Raden Putra asked as Cindelaras arrived in the palace. “My name is Cindelaras, Your Majesty,” Cindelaras answered. He felt both thrilled and happy to see Raden Putra.
Raden Putra challenged Cindelaras with one condition. If Raden Putra’s rooster won, Cindelaras’ head would be cut off. But if Cindelaras’ rooster won, Raden Putra would share half of his wealth. Cindelaras accepted the condition. The competition was held in the front yard of the palace. The two roosters fought bravely. But in just a few minutes, Cindelaras’ rooster won the fight! Raden Putra shook his head and stared at Cindelaras from his seat, “That rooster is no ordinary rooster, and the boy is not an ordinaty boy either. Who is he exactly?” he thought. Raden Putra was about to asked when suddenly Cindelaras’ rooster sang the song, “My master is Cindelaras. His house is in the woods. He’s the son of Raden Putra.”
Raden Putra was surprised. “Is it true?” he asked. “Yes, My Majesty. My name is Cindelaras and my mother was the queen,” said Cindelaras. Raden putra called the general who had banished the queen. The general then confessed that he never killed the queen. Later, the royal healer also admitted his mistake. Raden Putra was so shocked. He immediately went to the woods to pick up the queen. Ever since, Cindelaras and his parents lived happily together. As for the concubine, she was sent to the jail as punishment.***
Cerita rakyat from East Java
Jaka Tarub and Nawang Wulan
Jaka Tarub was a handsome and diligent young man. He lived in a village near a lake. One day, when Jaka Tarub passed the lake, he heard some giggles and laughs of some girls who were bathing in the lake. He was curious, so he peeped through the bushes. There were seven beautiful girls in the lake. They’re fairies from the heavenly kingdom of kahyangan. Jaka Tarub saw a scarf near the bushes. It belonged to one of the fairies. Jaka Tarub then took it and hid it.
Crack!!! Accidentally, Jaka Tarub stepped on a twig. “There’s someone!” said one of the fairies. “Let’s get back. Hurry!” she said. They pulled over and wear their scarf. “Where is my scarf?” one of the fairies couldn’t find her scarf. She was the youngest fairy called Nawang Wulan. They tried to search for it, but it was no where to be found. “We’re sorry, Wulan. We have to go back to kahyangan,” said the eldest fairy. “You’ll have to find it by yourself. We’ll wait for you in kahyangan,” she said in empathy. The other fairies then flew to the sky leaving Nawang Wulan behind. Nawang Wulan saw them leaving in tears. She was so sad.
“Excuse me …,” said Jaka Tarub, startling Nawang Wulan. “Are you okay?” he asked. Nawang Wulan moved backward, “Who are you?” she asked. “My name is Jaka Tarub. I was passing by and I heard you crying, so I came to see what happen,” Jaka Tarub lied. Nawang Wulan then told him about her problem. “I can’t fly without my scarf,” she said. Jaka Tarub then asked Nawang Wulan to come home with him. At first, Nawang Wulan refused the offer. But since she didn’t have anywhere else to go, Nawang Wulan then decided to follow Jaka Tarub.
Nawang Wulan stayed with Jaka Tarub in the village. A month passed, and they decided to get married. Nawang Wulan was willing to marry a human because she fell in love with Jaka Tarub. After a year, they had a beautiful daughter. They named her Kumalasari. They lived happily.
Jaka Tarub was also happy to live with Nawang Wulan and Kumalasari. Especially because he always got a lot of harvest since he married Nawang Wulan. He couldn’t even keep all of his harvest in the barn because it was always full. “It’s so weird. Nawang Wulan cooked everyday, but why is my barn always full,” Jaka Tarub mumbled to himself. He was so curious. One day, Jaka Tarub stayed at home. “I want to stay home today. I’d like to play with Kumalasari,” he said to his wife. “Well, I’ll go to the river to wash the clothes. Please keep an eye on Kumalasari,” asked Nawang Wulan. “I’m cooking rice now. Please do not open the pan cover before it’s done,” she said just before she left. “Could this be the secret?” Jaka Tarub thought. After Nawang Wulan left, he curiously opened the pan cover. He found only one single paddy. “How come?” he wondered.
Before lunch, Nawang Wulan came home. She headed to the kitchen to see the rice she had cooked. She found that the rice turned into only a few grains. “Did you open the pan cover?” she asked her husband. “I… I’m sorry. I was curious,” Jaka Tarub said as he realized his fault.
Ever since, Nawang Wulan had lost her power. She couldn’t cook rice with only a single paddy. Their paddy supply was slowly lessened. Their barn was almost empty. One day, Nawang Wulan went to the barn to get some paddy. When she took one of them, she found a scarf. “What’s this? This is my scarf,” said Nawang Wulan startled.
That night, Nawang Wulan asked her husband about the scarf. Jaka Tarub’s eyes widened, “You found it?” he asked. Jaka Tarub looked down and asked for her forgiveness. “Because I’ve found my scarf, it’s time for me to go back to where I belong,” Nawang Wulan said. Jaka Tarub tried to stop her, but Nawang Wulan had made up her mind. “Please take good care of Kumalasari,” she said. “If she wanted to see me, take seven grains of candlenut and put it into a basket. Shake it as you play the bamboo flute. I’ll come to see her,” she explained.
Jaka Tarub promised to take good care of their daughter. He once again asked for forgiveness for all of his mistakes. “I’ve forgiven you, so you don’t have to feel guilty. I must go now. Take care,” said Nawang Wulan as she flew to the bright full moon.***
Cerita rakyat from South Kalimantan
Legend of Gunung Batu Bangkai
Many years ago, in Loksado, lived a young man with his mother. He was called Andung Kuswara. He was a smart young man. He had medical skill that he learned from his late father. Andung Kuswara worked hard everyday to fulfill their daily needs. One day, Andung Kuswara went to the forest alone, searching for fruits and vegetables. On his way home, he found an old man squeezed badly between two big trees. Andung Kuswara immediately helped him. He then healed his wound perfectly. “Dear young man, I thank you for your help,” the old man said and took something hanging on his neck. “As my gratitude, I give you this necklace. Hopefully it would bring good fortune for you,” said the old man. Andung Kuswara took the gift and went home.
Both Andung Kuswara and his mother passed their times happily. But Andung Kuswara wanted a better life for him and his mother. “Maybe it is better to leave my home to another country and practice my medical skill,” he thought. However, he had not enough courage to tell his intention to his mother. He knew his mother would be alone if he left. After a month passed, finally Andung Kuswara told his mother about his intention. “Mother, I want to make our life better. I want to go to other country and find a better job,” he said to his mother. “Andung… my son. If it is your final decision, I won’t stop you. All I can do is pray for you to find what you’re searching for,” his mother said wisely. “Thank you, Mother,” Andung Kuswara smiled happily.
The next morning, Andung Kuswara left his homeland to pursue his dream. He went overseas. He walked for weeks until he reached the kingdom of Basiang. On his way, he met a farmer whose body was full of ulcers and scabies. Andung Kuswara tried to help him. He cured the farmer with his medical skill.
The farmer was so happy. He offered Andung Kuswara to stay at his home. He also told Andung Kuswara that almost all inhabitants of the country were suffering from the same diseases. The news about Andung Kuswara’s medical skill quickly spread throughout the whole country. All sick people come to him to be cured from their sickness.
The king of Basiang also heard the news about Andung Kuswara’s excellent medical skill. The king then ordered his guard to brought Andung Kuswara to cure the princess who was also been sick. “My daughter has been on her bed for two weeks. She can not do anything. Many healers had attempted to recover her, but they failed. Will you cure her?” asked the king to Andung Kuswara. “My Majesty, I am just a poor wanderer and I have minimal medical skill. So, please forgive me if I also fail in recovering the princess”, Andung Kuswara replied.
Andung Kuswara was then allowed to enter the princess‘s room. The princess was very pale and weak. However, her beauty clearly seemed through her wonderful face. Andung Kuswara was amazed looking at her, “Ah, the princess is so beautiful,” he said to himself. He then tried to cure the princess with all his skill, but the princess did not move at all. Andung Kuswara then thought of another way. He took the necklace hanging on his neck. The necklace was soaked in the cup of water for a moment. After reading some prayers upon the water, Andung Kuswara spattered it on the princess‘s face for several times. Suddenly, the princess could move her body. Her eyes and lips opened, and her face turned bright. The princess was eventually able to sit on her bed.
The king was very grateful for Andung Kuswara‘s help to his only daughter. To express his gratefulness, he allowed Andung Kuswara to marry his daughter. The princess was happy to welcome Andung as her husband. The same was felt by Andung who fell in love with the princess.
A year passed, and the princess was pregnant. She told her husband that she desired to eat kasturi fruit that only grew in Kalimantan Island. Andung Kuswara‘s accompanied by several kingdom troops went to search the fruit. After arriving at the Kalimantan Island, Andung Kuswara headed to Loksado to find the kasturi tree which, according to local people, was bearing fruit. Andung Kuswara stood surprisingly after knowing that the tree grew exactly in front of his mother‘s small hut. Andung Kuswara immediately commanded the troops to return to the kingdom without taking the fruit to avoid meeting his own mother.
But suddenly Andung Kuswara’s mother went out from the hut. She saw her son among the troops in front of her home. “Andung…Andung…my son,” she tried to call her son. Andung Kuswara and the troops continuously walked to keep away from the old woman. However, she ran after them and kept calling for his son. Feeling ashamed in front of the troops, Andung Kuswara said angrily to his own mother, “Stop calling me as your son, old woman. I am a nobility of the Basiang Kingdom. I never know an old woman like you.” After that, Andung kuswara continued walking.
Andung Kuswara’s mother was shocked to hear those words from her beloved son. She cried and prayed with trembling lips, “Oh my God, show your power and justice.” Her tears had not been drying when the sky suddenly turned dark and thunder stroke repeatedly. After that, a sudden storm smashed and heavy rain fell dementedly. Suddenly Andung Kuswara‘s body slowly turned into stone.
Since the time, the locals called the mountain as Gunung Batu Bangkai (mountain of decease stone), because the stone that lays on it resembles human body. The mountain located in the sub district of Loksado, South Kalimantan .***
Cerita rakyat from West Java
Telaga Warna
Long time ago there was a kingdom in West Java. The kingdom was ruled by a king called Prabu. He was a kind and wise king. Under Prabu’s leadership, the kingdom grew into a prosperous kingdom. There’s no hunger in the kingdom. Everybody in the kingdom loved their king. But, there’s one problem. The king and his queen hadn’t got any children. It made the couple very sad. That was why Prabu decided to go to the jungle. There, he meditated and prayed to God. Everyday he begged for a child. His dream finally came true. A few months later, the queen got pregnant. All people in the kingdom felt very happy. They sent many presents to the palace to express their happiness. Nine months later a baby girl was born. The baby grew as a beautiful teenager then.
Prabu and his queen loved their daughter so much. They gave what ever she wanted. It made the princess grew into a spoiled girl. When her wish couldn’t be fulfilled, she would be very angry. She even said bad things often. Even though the princess behaved badly, her parents still loved her, and so did the people in the kingdom.
Time passed and the princess grew more beautiful. In a few days, the princess would be seventeen years old. That’s why people of that kingdom brought many presents for her. They bring gold and beautiful jewelries. Prabu collected the presents. Then Prabu stored them in a special room. Some times he would take them to give to his people who needed it. Prabu only took a few gold and jewels. Then he brought them to a goldsmith. “Please make a 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 for the princess.
The birthday came. People gathered in the palace field. Then Prabu and the queen appeared. They waved to their beloved people. Cheers were loud and louder when the princess appeared. Everybody admired her beauty. Prabu got up from his chair and took a small pillow. A beautiful necklace was on the pillow. 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,” said Prabu. The princess accepted the necklace. She looked at the necklace in a glance. “I don’t want this necklace! It’s ugly!” shouted the princess as she threw the necklace away. The necklace hit the floor and was broken. The gold and jewels were spread out on the floor.
No body dared to speak. They never thought that their beloved princess would do such a cruel thing. In their silence, people heard the queen crying. Every woman felt sad and began crying too. Then everybody was crying. Suddenly, from the middle of the field, a spring emerged. It quickly became a pool. The palace was getting flooded. Soon the place became a big lake.
Nowadays the water on that lake is not as full as before. There is only a small lake now. People called the lake Telaga Warna (it means lake of colour). On a bright day, the lake is full of colour. These colors come from the reflections of forest, plants, flowers, and sky around the lake. But some people said that the colours are from the princess’ necklace, which spreads at the bottom of the lake.***
Cerita rakyat from Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam
Mentiko Betuah
A long time ago, there was a kingdom in Simeulue, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. The king and the queen had a son, Prince Rohib. They loved the prince very much and they always gave him anything he wanted. That’s why the prince grew as a spoiled young man. The prince was then sent to study in a school. The King told him to study seriously. But because the prince was used to be spoiled, he couldn’t finish his study in time. The King was so angry. He realized his mistake. He wanted to give the prince a lesson. He then ordered the prince to leave the palace and became a merchant. "I will give you some money. Use the money only for trading. Don't come back until you are rich!" said the king.
Prince Rohib was sad. He knew his father was angry with him because he was a spoiled boy. He then promised himself that he could become a great merchant. After he left the palace, he went to a village. While he was walking, he saw some kids were trying to shoot a bird using their slingshots. “Stop… Don't hurt the bird!” Rohib tried to stop the kids. “Hey, it’s none of your business,” replied one of the kids. “I'll give you some money if you stop hurting the bird," said Rohib. After that, he gave some money to those kids.
Later on his journey, Rohib saw some men were torturing a snake. Again, he asked them to stop hurting the snake. He also gave them some money. He kept on giving some money to people who tortured animals. Finally he ran out of money. He was so worried. He knew he could not become a merchant without any money in his pocket. He was also scared of going home. He knew that his father would be very angry at him.
The prince then went to the forest because he didn’t know anywhere to go. He was so tired, so he took some rest. While he was sitting under a big tree, a giant snake came to him. He was so scared. “Don't worry, young man. I will not eat you,” said the giant snake. “You…you can talk? Who are you?” Rohib asked. “I am the king of snakes in this jungle. I heard you helped many animals from being tortured. Now, I want to give you a gift. This is Mentiko Betuah. This magical stone can give you anything you want." Then the snake went deep into the forest. The prince was very happy. He asked the Mentiko Betuah to give him a lot of money. Then he went home and told his father that the money was from his business as a merchant.
Rohib kept the Mentiko Betuah carefully. He then went to a goldsmith and asked him to make the magical stone as a ring. But the goldsmith stole the Mentiko Betuah. Luckily Rohib had made friends to the animals. He asked a cat, a dog, and a mouse to help him find Mentiko Betuah. The dog followed the smell of the goldsmith, and they found his hideaway. However they could not enter his house because it was locked. Only the mouse was small enough to enter through a small hole in the door.
After waiting for a moment, the mouse came out of the house. He said he could not find the magical stone. After that they all went back to the palace. The cat and the dog did not know that the mouse actually had found the magical stone. He was hiding it in his mouth. The mouse then gave the Mentiko Betuah to the prince. Rohib was so happy and said that the mouse was the hero. The cat and the dog were jealous and angry. They knew that the mouse had tricked them. According to the local people, that’s why until now cats and dogs always tried to catch mice.***
Cerita rakyat from Bali
Manik Angkeran
A long time ago, lived a rich man named Begawan Sidi Mantra. He was very famous for his kindness and also for his supernatural power. He had a son named Manik Angkeran who liked to gamble. Because of Manik Angkeran’s bad habit, his father soon bankrupt. Begawan Sidi Mantra had spent all of his money to pay his son‘s debts. But, Manik Angkeran still liked to gamble and he still owed some people a lot of money.
Begawan Sidi Mantra wanted to help his son to pay the remaining debts. He meditated for days, and finally he got a clue from the gods to go to Agung Mountain. He went to the mountain. There, he met with a dragon named Naga Besukih. It is said that Naga Besukih could provide gold and jewelries to those who could say a certain prayer and ring the sacred bell. Fortunately, Begawan Sidi Mantra had the bell, and he also knew the prayer from his meditation. “My name is Sidi Mantra. I have a problem. My son likes to gamble. I’ve spent all of my money to pay his debts, but it’s still not enough. I came here to ask for your help,” explained Begawan Sidi Mantra after he met with Naga Besukih. “I’ll help you, but you have to advise your son so he would not gamble again,” said Naga Besukih. The dragon then shakes his body and cause some of his scales fall of. Magically, the scales turn into gold and diamonds.
Begawan Sidi Mantra took the gold and diamonds and return home. He paid all the remaining debt and advised his son about his gambling habit. Manik Angkeran promised to stop gambling, but soon he broke the promise. Bagawan Sidi Mantra had to go to the dragon for help once again. “What brought you here again?” asked Naga Besukih. “I’m very sorry, Naga Besukih. My son had disappointed me; he broke his promise to me. I beg for your help once again,” said Begawan Sidi Mantra to the dragon. “I’ll help you, but this is the last time,” said Naga Besukih.
Begawan Sidi Mantra once again paid Manik Angkeran’s debts and advised him not to gamble again. Manik Angkeran promised and soon he broke his promise again. This time, Begawan Sidi Mantra didn’t want to help him anymore. He was too ashamed to meet with the dragon.
Manik Angkeran knew that his father got the jewelries from the dragon. So, he stole his father’s sacred bell and went to Agung Mountain. After he arrived, Manik Angkeran rang the bell. Naga Besukih heard the bell but there’s no prayer. He decided to see who was calling him. “Hey, Manik Angkeran. What are you doing here with your father’s bell? Did you steal it?” asked Naga Besukih angrily when he saw Manik Angkeran. “Please help me, Naga Besukih. I really need the money to pay my debts. Those people would kill me if I don’t pay them in time. Please, I beg for your mercy,” said Manik Angkeran to the dragon. “Okay, I’ll help you. But this is the last time, and you have to promise to stop gambling,” Naga Besukih then give him the jewelries.
But suddenly, Manik Angkeran had a bad idea. He wanted to kill the dragon and take all the jewelries. So he drew his keris and attacked Naga Besukih. He managed to cut the dragon’s tail, but he was no match for Naga Besukih. With his great power, Naga Besukih burned Manik Angkeran and killed him instantly.
In his home, Begawan Sidi Mantra couldn’t find his sacred bell. He knew that his son had stolen it, so he went to Agung Mountain. He was so sad when he found out what happened in the mountain. “I’m very sorry, Naga Besukih. But he was my only son. I beg you, please bring him back to life,” Begawan Sidi Mantra begged the dragon for mercy. Naga Besukih agreed with one condition, Manik Angkeran had to stay at Agung Mountain. Naga Besukih said some prayer and after few moments, Manik Angkeran lived again. Begawan Sidi Mantra then used a stick to make a big line between them on the ground. From the line, water flowed. Soon it became a river. Finally it became a strait. It separated Java and Bali. People then named the strait as Bali Strait.***
Cerita rakyat from North Sumatra
Lake Toba
In the northern area of Sumatra Island, lived a young man. Everyday, he work hard as a farmer. One day in the morning, the young man went fishing in a river. Not so long after he threw the bait, it was bitten by a fish. He pulled the fishing rod and was amazed by the fish he caught. It was a golden fish. “Wait, please don’t eat me,” the fish suddenly spoke to the young man. Startled, the young man dropped the golden fish and it suddenly turned into a beautiful girl.
“I must have been dreaming,” the young man said to himself. “Don’t afraid, Sir. I was a princess cursed by the gods because a mistake I did. You’ve save me,” said the girl. “As my gratitude, I’m willing to be your wife.” The young man was so amazed to see the beauty of the girl, so he accepted her as his wife. They became man and wife but with one condition, the young man promised not to mention about the fish form of the girl. Terrible disaster will happen if the promise is broken.
A year passed, the young man and his wife already had a son. They were so happy. Their son grew up as a healthy boy. But he was a little naughty. He also had a habit, he was always hungry. One day, the wife asked their son to deliver lunch to his father. But, the son ate the food on his way to the fields. The father had been working since morning. He was so hungry. Finding that there’s no food left for him, he said angrily, “Stupid boy! You little fish boy!” He didn’t realize that he broke the promise.
After he said those words, his son and wife mysteriously disappeared. From their footstep on the ground, there’s water bursting out. The water kept coming out and started to flood the area. The whole village and the surrounding area became a lake. There’s a small island in the middle of the lake, known as Samosir Island. And the lake is known as Lake Toba. ***
Cerita rakyat from West Sumatra
Pak Lebai Malang
Pak Lebai was an old man living in a village by the river. Everyday, he used his sampan for travelling at the river. Pak Lebai had a bad habit. He always changed his mind before he did something. He was an inconsistent man. One day, Pak Lebai was invited to a party by his neighbor. Pak lebai was happy. He loved party because he could eat delicious food. He also could get a buffalo's head from the party. Still on the same day, he got another invitation. Those two party invitations made him confused. The two parties were held at the same time, but at different places. The two neighbors who invited him lived in different sides of the river. One neighbor lived on the east side and the other one lived in the west side. "If I go to the west side, I will only get one buffalo’s head. If I go to the east side, I can have two heads of buffalo. But the host at the west side is friendlier,” he said to himself. He was confused.
On the following day, Pak Lebai paddled his sampan to the party at the west side of the river. But then he changed his mind and went to the east side. On the way there, he met with some friends. "The party is awful. There are not many buffalo's heads," said one of them. So, Pak Lebai turned back his sampan again and went to the west side. Unfortunately, the party was already over when he arrived there. Pak Lebai immediately paddled his sampan to the east side again. But he also missed the party.
Pak Lebai was upset and blaming himself for being so inconsistent. He was so hungry and tired because he was padding back and forth in the river. He then fell asleep in his sampan. He did not realize that his sampan was drifting away at the river. When he woke up, he was already in the different village. That’s why all his neighbors started to call him Pak Lebai Malang (poor mister Lebai).***
Cerita rakyat from Central Sulawesi
Legend of Batu Bagga
Long time ago in Sulawesi Island, lived a man named Intobu. He lived alone with his only son, named Impalak. They were poor. Everyday they work as fishermen. They went to the sea every night to catch fish, even in bad weather. Intobu always advised his son, “Being fishermen is our only income. Do not take the bad weather as our enemy.” Impalak nodded. “Yes, Father,” he replied.
Intobu and Impalak worked as fishermen for years. But, Impalak started to feel bored with the job. He wanted to try something new. He wanted to make a better living for his father and himself. One day, Impalak tried to talk to his father about his desire. “Father…, please forgives me,” Impalak felt hesitated. “What is it, my son?” Intobu was curious seeing his son’s strange attitude. “Father, actually I want to quit working as fisherman. I want to go abroad and try working something else,” explained Impalak.
Intobu was sad hearing his son’s decision, but he also wanted Impalak to be a successful person. “If that is your decision, I couldn’t do anything else but to allow you. I can only pray for your safety and success” said Intobu. “But I want you to always remember your homeland. Always remember your father,” he continued. “Yes, Father. I will remember. Thank you,” said Impalak happily.
In the next day, Impalak went to the harbor. He saw a bagga (sailboat) and went to see the owner. “Excuse me, Sir. I’m wondering if I can sail with you?” asked Impalak. The bagga’s owner was silent for a moment. “It’s not a problem for me. But why do you want to sail with me, and have you asked permission from your parents?” asked the bagga’s owner then. “I worked here as fishermen with my father, but I want to try my luck abroad. My father already agreed with my plan,” said Impalak. “All right, I will set sail tomorrow. Come met me here in the morning. And by the way, what’s your name?” asked the bagga’s owner. “Thank you, Sir. My name is Impalak, Sir,” Impalak answered happily.
Back in his house, Impalak told his father about the bagga boat. “When do you depart?” asked Intobu. “Tomorrow, Father,” answered Impalak. The next morning, impalak went to the harbor together with his father. The bagga was ready to set sail. “Hurry, Impalak!” shout the bagga’s owner. Impalak kissed his father’s hand, “I’m going, Father. Take care,” said Impalak. “Go, Son. My blessing is with you,” said Intobu. There were tears in his eyes as he saw the bagga leaving the harbor.
A few years passed. Every time Intobu saw a bagga boat, he always hoped that his son is coming home. But there’s no news at all from Impalak. One day, Intobu went fishing as usual. He used his small sampan and headed to the open water near the harbor. But then he saw a bagga heading to the harbor.
When the bagga was getting close to Intobu’s sampan, he saw a handsome young man standing in front of the bagga’s deck. The young man was accompanied by his beautiful wife. Intobu recognized the young man. He was Impalak, his son. “Impalak! Impalak, my son!” Intobu shout happily.
Impalak heard his father’s shouting, but he ignored him. “Honey, there’s someone down there calling your name. Is that your father?” asked his wife. “No, he’s not my father. Just ignore him, honey” Impalak was embarrassed to acknowledge his old father in front of his beautiful wife.
Intobu tried to row his sampan closer to the bagga, but suddenly there’s a big waves in the sea. Intobu’s sampan was hit by the waves and almost drowned. “Help… Help me… Impalak, help…!” Intobu was shouting, asking help from his son. But Impalak ignored his father. He even turned his bagga into the opposite direction from Intobu’s sampan.
Intobu’s heart was broken to see his son’s ignorance. His felling is mixed with sadness and anger. He looked into the sky and prayed, “Oh, God. Please hear my prayer. I curse that rebellious son’s bagga into stone.” Not long after Intobu said the prayer, a storm came and struck Impalak’s bagga. The wind blew so hard, pushing the bagga to the shore. Suddenly, the bagga and Impalak turned into stone. The stone still exist until now. People called it Batu Bagga (Bagga Stone).***
Cerita rakyat from Riau
The Greedy Man
Once upon a time in Riau, lived a pair of husband and wife. They were very poor. The wife was very diligent, while the husband was very lazy. He just slept and slept everyday. He did not want to help his wife to earn a living. The wife was helpless, she often prayed to God to help her husband.
One night the husband had a dream. In his dream, an old man came to him. He told the husband to take his sampan and went to river. "Go to the middle of the river and wait until a rope appears from the river. Take the rope slowly, and then you will find a golden chain. You can cut and take it, but don't take the chain too long," said the old man. The husband then woke up from his dream.
In the next day, the husband took his sampan and went to river. He wanted to do the old man's advice as said in his dream last night. "Where are you going?" asked the wife. She was so surprised to see her husband was busy preparing the sampan. "I want to go fishing, Honey. See you later!" the husband didn’t want to tell his wife about his dream. He knew his wife would think he was crazy by following up a dream.
After the husband arrived in the river, he rowed his sampan until he reached the middle of the river. He then looked around the water surface very carefully. Suddenly a rope appeared from the river. "The old man was right!" said the husband to himself. He then slowly pulled the rope and at the end of the rope he saw a golden chain! The chain was sparkling and glowing. It was made from pure gold. "Wow! It’s really made of gold. I’m rich. I’m rich," the husband said happily. He kept pulling the chain. He forgot the old man's advice to take only short chain because it was enough for him. The poor man became greedy. He wanted to take the golden chain as long as possible.
While he was busy pulling out the golden chain, a bird came to him. It talked, "Remember the old man's advice. Take only a short golden chain." But the poor man ignored the bird and kept on pulling out the chain. Slow but sure, his sampan was full of the golden chain. It was so full that finally the sampan could not hold the weight any more. The sampan started to drown. The golden chain was sinking and went to the bottom of the river creating a big wave in the river. The wave almost swallowed the poor man. He was so panicked. He swam as fast as possible to the river side.
When he arrived on the river side, he felt sorry to himself. He blamed himself for being a greedy man. But it was already too late. But then he realized that it was a lesson for him to work hard if he wanted to earn money.***
Cerita rakyat from Central Java
Timun Emas
Long time ago, lived an old women named Mbok Sirni. She lived by herself because her husband had long passed away and she had no children. Every day, she prayed so God would give her a child. One night, when she was praying, a giant passed her house and heard her pray. “I can give you a child on one condition,” the giant said to Mbok Sirni, “You must give the child back to me when it is six years old.” Mbok Sirni was so happy; she did not think about the risk of losing the child later and agreed to take the giant’s offer. The giant then gave her a bunch of cucumber seeds. “Plant it around your house.” The giant then left without saying anything else. In the morning, Mbok Sirni planted the seeds. The seeds grew within mere days, and blossomed plentifully.Not longer after that, a big golden cucumber grew from plants. Carefully, Mbok Sirni plucked the golden cucumber and carried it home. With caution and care, she sliced the cucumber. She was very surprised to see a beautiful baby girl inside the cucumber. She then named the baby Timun Emas (it means Golden Cucumber).
Years passed by and Timun Emas has grew to become a lovely and beautiful little girl. She was also smart and kind. Mbok Sirni loved her very much. But she kept thinking about the time the giant would take Timun Emas away from her. One night, Mbok Sirni had a dream. In order to save Timun Emas from the giant, she had to meet the holy man who lived in Mount Gundul. The next morning, Mbok Sirni took leave of Timun Emas to go to Mount Gundul. The holy man then gave her four little bags, each one containing cucumber seeds, needles, salt, and shrimp paste. “Timun Emas can use these to protect herself,” said the holy man to Mbok Sirni.
A few days later, the giant came to see Mbok Sirni about her promise. “Mbok Sirni! Where is Timun Emas?” shouted the giant. "My daughter, take these bag with you. It can save you from the giant. Now, run through the back door," said Mbok Sirni. But the giant saw Timun Emas running to the woods. The giant was angry. Starved and enraged, he rushed toward Timun Emas. Mbok Sirni tried to stop him, but the giant was unstoppable.
The giant was getting closer and closer, so Timun Emas opened the first bag she got from Mbok Sirni. Inside the bag were cucumber seeds. She threw the seeds, and instantly they grew into large cucumber field. But the giant ate them all, giving him more strength. As the giant was getting close, Timun Emas took the second bag with needles inside and spilled the content behind her. The needles turned into bamboo trees, sharp and thorny. The giant’s body was scratched and bled. “Aaargh, I’ll get you, Timun Emas!” shouted the giant as he tried to get himself out from the bamboo field. He made it and still chasing Timun Emas.
Timun Emas then reached the third bag and spilled the salt inside. The ground which the salt touched turned into a deep sea. The giant almost drown and had to swim to cross the sea. After some time, he managed to get out from the water. Timun Emas saw the giant coming, so she reached for the last bag. She took the shrimp paste and threw it. The shrimp paste became a big swamp of boiling mud. The giant was trapped in the middle of the swamp. The mud slowly but surely drowned him. Helpless, he roared out, “Help! Heeeeelp…!” Then the giant drown and died. Timun Mas then immediately went home. Since then, Timun Emas and Mbok Sirni live happily ever after.***
Cerita rakyat from Central Java
Loro Jonggrang
Long time ago, there was a kingdom named Prambanan. All the people of Prambanan lived peacefully. But then, Prambanan kingdom was attacked and occupied by the Pengging kingdom. Prambanan then was ruled by Bandung Bondowoso of Pengging kingdom. He was a mean king. He also had great supernatural power. His soldiers were not only humans, but also genies.
The king of Prambanan had a beautiful daughter named Loro Jonggrang. Bandung Bondowoso fell in love with her and wanted to marry her. “You’re very beautiful. Would you be my queen?” asked Bandung Bondowoso. Loro Jonggrang was shocked. She didn’t like Bandung Bondowoso because he was a mean person. She wanted to refuse, but she afraid that Bandung Bondowoso would be angry and endangered the people of Prambanan. Then, she came up with a plan. “If you want to marry me, you have to build a thousand temples for me in just one night," said Loro Jonggrang. “What? That’s impossible!” said Bandung Bondowoso. But he did not give up. He consulted with his advisor. “Your Majesty can asked the genies to help built the temples,” said the advisor.
So, Bandung Bondowoso summoned his entire genies soldier and commanded them to help him built a thousand temples. The genies worked in unbelievable speed. Meanwhile, Loro Jonggrang heard from her servant that the building of a thousand temples was almost finished. She was so worried. But again, she came up with a great idea. She asked all of her servants to help her. "Please prepare a lot of straw and mortar. Please hurry up!" said Loro Jonggrang. “Burn the straw and make some noise pounding the mortar, quickly.” All those servants did what Loro Jonggrang ordered them; burning straw and pounding the mortar, making the genies think that the sun is going to rise.
“It’s already dawn. We have to go,” said the leader of the genies to Bandung Bondowoso. All the genies immediately stopped their work and ran for cover from the sun, which they afraid of. They didn’t know that the light was from the fire that burning the straw, not from the sun.
Bandung Bondowoso can’t stop the genies from leaving. He was angry. He knew Loro Jonggrang had 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." He pointed his finger to Loro Jonggrang and said some mantras. Magically, Loro Jonggrang’s body turned into stone. Until now, the temple is still standing in Prambanan area, Central Java. And the temple is called Loro Jonggrang temple.***
Cerita rakyat from Central Java
Mouse Deer and Crocodile
One day, Mouse Deer went down to the river to take a drink. But he knew that the crocodile might be waiting underwater to eat him, so he said out loud. “I wonder if the water’s warm. I’ll put in my leg and find out.” Of course Mouse Deer didn’t put in his leg. He picked up a stick instead and put one end into the water. Chomp…! Crocodile grabbed the stick and pulled it underwater. Mouse Deer laughed. “Ha… ha…ha… Stupid crocodile! Cant you tell the difference between a stick and a leg?” Then Mouse Deer ran off to drink somewhere else.
In the next day, Mouse Deer wanted to cross the river. He wanted to eat the fruits on the other side of the river. He saw a floating log in the river. He knew that Crocodile looked like a log when he floated. Mouse Deer didn’t want to be eaten by Crocodile when he crosses the river. He had an idea. He called out loud, “Crocodile!” Crocodile rose from the water, “Hello, Mouse Deer. Have you come to be my lunch?” Mouse Deer smiled. “Sorry, not today, Crocodile. I have orders from the King. He wants to invite all the crocodiles in this river to a party. He wants me to count all the crocodiles so he could prepare enough meal for you.”
“Really…? Tell us what to do,” said Crocodile. “You must line up from this side of the river to the other side,” said Mouse Deer. Crocodile then got all his friends and family. They lined up across the river. Mouse Deer then jumped onto Crocodile’s back. “One,” he counted. He jumped onto the next crocodile, “Two.” And the next crocodile, “Three.” Mouse Deer kept jumping until he arrived on the other side of the river. “How many are there?” asked Crocodile. “Just enough,” said Mouse Deer. He laughed as he ran to the forest.***
PRINCESS MANDALIKA
Once upon a time, there was a kingdom in Lombok Island that was ruled by a king named Raja Tonjang Beru. He was a wise king. He had a queen named Dewi Seranting. He also had a beautiful daughter named Princess Mandalika. It is said that princess Mandalika was the prettiest girl in the whole island. Everybody knew about Princess Mandalika’s beauty and kindness, even the people from other kingdom around the island.
Princes from all over the place wanted to marry her. One by one, they came to propose her. Princess Mandalika was a kind girl. She hated to make people sad. So, when those princes came to propose her, she was very confused. She could not decide, and she didn’t want to make them sad. She also didn’t want to cause a war to happen because of her.
To solve the problem, Raja Tonjang Beru then held a competition in Seger Kuta beach. He asked all the princes to take part in archery competition. The rule was simple; whoever shot the target perfectly will be accepted as Princess Mandalika’s future husband. One by one, all participants tried their best. After some time, there was no winner. All the participants were great in archery.
Because there was no a winner, all the participants started to argue. They claimed to be the best. The argument was getting hotter. Finally, they all were fighting. Soon, the fighting got bigger. It was like a war, because all the princes brought their soldiers in the archery competition. Princess Mandalika was really worried. She did not want the war to get bigger and hurt many people. Finally, she had an idea. "Everybody, listen up! I know you all love me and want me to be your wife. But I don't want you to fight because of me. And I don't want you to be sad either. I want you all to have me, but not as your wife. I want to be someone that everybody can have," said Princess Mandalika.
Raja Tonjang Beru and all other people in the beach did not understand what she meant. The king then came to her. But suddenly, Princess Mandalika jumped to the sea. She disappeared in the big waves. Everybody was surprised. It was chaos on the beach. All the princes tried to swim to find the princess, but they found nothing.
After several hours trying to search the princess, suddenly they found a lot of colorful sea worms on the beach. Raja Tonjang Beru then realized that his daughter had returned as sea worms. The worms were then called nyale. Until now, people in Lombok always try to catch nyale. Nyale is very delicious and that is why a lot of people come to Lombok to catch it. However, they can only find it once a year, in February or March. The tradition to catch the sea worms is called Bau Nyale.***
KEUTAMAAN MEMBACA ALQUR’AN
Dari Abu Musa Al-Asy`arit berkata, Rasulullah bersabda: "Perumpamaan orang mukmin yang membaca Al Qur`an bagaikan buah limau baunya harum dan rasanya lezat. Dan perumpamaan orang mukmin yang tidak membaca Al Qur`an bagaikan kurma, rasanya lezat dan tidak berbau. Dan perumpamaan orang munafik yang membaca Al Qur`an bagaikan buah raihanah yang baunya harum dan rasanya pahit, dan perumpamaan orang munafik yang tidak membaca Al Qur`an bagaikan buah hanzholah tidak berbau dan rasanya pahit." Muttafaqun `Alaihi.
Merupakan suatu kewajiban bagi seorang muslim untuk selalu berinteraksi aktif dengan Al Qur`an, dan menjadikannya sebagai sumber inspirasi, berpikir dan bertindak. Membaca Al Qur`an merupakan langkah pertama dalam berinteraksi dengannya, dan untuk mengairahkan serta menghidupkan kembali kegairahan kita dalam membaca Al Qur`an, kami sampaikan beberapa keutamaan membaca Al Qur`an sebagai berikut :
1. Manusia yang terbaik.
Dari `Utsman bin `Affan, dari Nabi bersabda : "Sebaik-baik kalian yaitu orang yang mempelajari Al Qur`an dan mengajarkannya." H.R. Bukhari.
2. Dikumpulkan bersama para Malaikat.
Dari `Aisyah Radhiyallahu `Anha berkata, Rasulullah bersabda : "Orang yang membaca Al Qur`an dan ia mahir dalam membacanya maka ia akan dikumpulkan bersama para Malaikat yang mulia lagi berbakti. Sedangkan orang yang membaca Al Qur`an dan ia masih terbata-bata dan merasa berat (belum fasih) dalam membacanya, maka ia akan mendapat dua ganjaran." Muttafaqun `Alaihi.
3. Sebagai syafa`at di Hari Kiamat.
Dari Abu Umamah Al Bahili t berkata, saya telah mendengar Rasulullah bersabda : "Bacalah Al Qur`an !, maka sesungguhnya ia akan datang pada Hari Kiamat sebagai syafaat bagi ahlinya (yaitu orang yang membaca, mempelajari dan mengamalkannya)." H.R. Muslim.
4. Kenikmatan tiada tara
Dari Ibnu `Umar t, dari Nabi bersabda : "Tidak boleh seorang menginginkan apa yang dimiliki orang lain kecuali dalam dua hal; (Pertama) seorang yang diberi oleh Allah kepandaian tentang Al Qur`an maka dia mengimplementasikan (melaksanakan)nya sepanjang hari dan malam. Dan seorang yang diberi oleh Allah kekayaan harta maka dia infakkan sepanjang hari dan malam." Muttafaqun `Alaihi.
5. Ladang pahala.
Dari Abdullah bin Mas`ud t berkata, Rasulullah e : "Barangsiapa yang membaca satu huruf dari Kitabullah (Al Qur`an) maka baginya satu kebaikan. Dan satu kebaikan akan dilipat gandakan dengan sepuluh kali lipat. Saya tidak mengatakan "Alif lam mim" itu satu huruf, tetapi "Alif" itu satu huruf, "Lam" itu satu huruf dan "Mim" itu satu huruf." H.R. At Tirmidzi dan berkata : "Hadits hasan shahih".
6. Kedua orang tuanya mendapatkan mahkota surga
Dari Muadz bin Anas t, bahwa Rasulullah e bersabda : "Barangsiapa yang membaca Al Qur`an dan mengamalkan apa yang terdapat di dalamnya, Allah akan mengenakan mahkota kepada kedua orangtuanya pada Hari Kiamat kelak. (Dimana) cahayanya lebih terang dari pada cahaya matahari di dunia. Maka kamu tidak akan menduga bahwa ganjaran itu disebabkan dengan amalan yang seperti ini. " H.R. Abu Daud.
KEMBALI KEPADA AL QUR`AN
Bukti empirik di lapangan terlihat dengan sangat jelas bahwa kaum muslimin pada saat ini telah jauh dari Al Qur`an Al Karim yang merupakan petunjuknya dalam mengarungi bahtera kehidupannya (The Way of Life). Firman Allah I :
Berkatalah Rasul:"Ya Rabbku, sesungguhnya kaumku telah menjadikan al-Qur'an ini sesuatu yang tidak diacuhkan". (QS. 25:30)
Dan mereka (para musuh Islam) berusaha keras untuk menjauhkan kaum muslimin secara personal maupun kelompok dari sumber utama kekuatannya yaitu Al Qur`an Al Karim. Sebagaimana yang telah diungkapkan oleh Al Qur`an Al Karim mengenai target rahasia mereka dalam memerangi kaum muslimin dalam firman-Nya :
Dan orang-orang yang kafir berkata:"Janganlah kamu mendengar dengan sungguh-sungguh akan al-Qur'an ini dan buatlah hiruk-pikuk terhadapnya, supaya kamu dapat mengalahkan (mereka). (QS. 41:26)
Jal Daston selaku perdana menteri Inggris mengemukakan : "Selagi Al Qur`an masih di tangan umat Islam, Eropa tidak akan dapat mengusai negara-negara Timur." (Lihat buku "Rencana Penghapusan Islam dan Pembantaian Kaum Muslimin di Abad Modern" oleh Nabil Bin Abdurrahman Al Mahisy / 13).
Jauhnya umat terhadap Al Qur`an Al Karim merupakan suatu masalah besar yang sangat fundamental dalam tubuh kaum muslimin. Perkara untuk mempedomi petunjuk Allah I melalui kitab-Nya, bukan sekedar perbuatan sunnah atau suatu pilihan. Firman Allah I :
Dan tidakkah patut bagi laki-laki yang mu'min dan tidak (pula) bagi perempuan yang mu'min, apabila Allah dan Rasul-Nya telah menetapkan suatu ketetapan, akan ada bagi mereka pilihan (yang lain) tentang urusan mereka.Dan barang siapa mendurhakai Allah dan Rasul-Nya maka sungguhlah dia telah sesat, dengan kesesatan yang nyata. (QS. 33:36)
Tegasnya, menjadikan kitab Allah Subhanahu wa Ta`ala sebagai sumber petunjuk satu-satunya dalam kehidupan dan mengembalikan segala masalah hanya kepada-Nya merupakan suatu keharusan oleh setiap diri kita. Kita sama-sama bersepakat bahwa dalam menanggulangi masalah kerusakan sebuah pesawat terbang, kita harus memanggil seorang insinyur yang membuat pesawat itu, dan kita sama-sama bersepakat bahwa seorang pilot yang akan mengoperasionalkan suatu pesawat terbang harus mengikuti buku petunjuk oprasional pesawat yang dikeluarkan dari perusahaan yang memproduksinya. Tetapi mengapa kita tidak mau menerapkan prinsip ini dalam diri kita sendiri. Allah I lah yang menciptakan kita dan hanya petunjuk-Nya yang benar. Sedang kita mengetahui bahwa pegangan yang mantap dan pengarahan yang benar hanyalah :
Katakanlah:"Sesungguhnya petunjuk Allah itulah petunjuk (yang sebenarnya)". (QS. 2:120)
Ringkas dan tegas. Petunjuk Allah I itulah petunjuk. Selain dari itu bukan petunjuk. Tidak bertele-tele, tidak ada helah, tidak dapat ditukar. Rasulullah e bersabda :
"Sesungguhnya Allah mengangkat beberapa kaum dengan Kitab (Al Qur`an) ini dan menghinakan yang lain dengannya pula." H.R. Muslim.
Karena itu jangan sampai kita mengikuti hawa nafsu mereka yang menyimpang dari garis yang tegas ini :
Dan sesungguhnya jika kamu mengikuti kemauan mereka setelah pengetahan datang kepadamu, maka Allah tidak lagi menjadi pelindung dan penolong bagimu. (QS. 2:120)
Ringkasnya, ketika umat Islam telah jauh dari Kitabullah, maka musibah dan malapetaka serta segala jenis penyakit hati akan datang silih berganti, sebagaimana yang saat ini kita lihat sendiri secara kasat mata.
Kita berdoa kepada Allah I, semoga Dia I mengerakkan hati dan memudahkan langkah kita dan umat Islam lainnya untuk kembali kepada Kitabullah dan Sunnah Nabinya e sehingga menjadi umat yang terbaik sebagaimana firman-Nya I :
Kamu adalah umat yang terbaik yang dilahirkan untuk manusia, menyuruh kepada yang ma'ruf, dan mencegah dari yang munkar, dan beriman kepada Allah. (QS. 3:110)
Merupakan suatu kewajiban bagi seorang muslim untuk selalu berinteraksi aktif dengan Al Qur`an, dan menjadikannya sebagai sumber inspirasi, berpikir dan bertindak. Membaca Al Qur`an merupakan langkah pertama dalam berinteraksi dengannya, dan untuk mengairahkan serta menghidupkan kembali kegairahan kita dalam membaca Al Qur`an, kami sampaikan beberapa keutamaan membaca Al Qur`an sebagai berikut :
1. Manusia yang terbaik.
Dari `Utsman bin `Affan, dari Nabi bersabda : "Sebaik-baik kalian yaitu orang yang mempelajari Al Qur`an dan mengajarkannya." H.R. Bukhari.
2. Dikumpulkan bersama para Malaikat.
Dari `Aisyah Radhiyallahu `Anha berkata, Rasulullah bersabda : "Orang yang membaca Al Qur`an dan ia mahir dalam membacanya maka ia akan dikumpulkan bersama para Malaikat yang mulia lagi berbakti. Sedangkan orang yang membaca Al Qur`an dan ia masih terbata-bata dan merasa berat (belum fasih) dalam membacanya, maka ia akan mendapat dua ganjaran." Muttafaqun `Alaihi.
3. Sebagai syafa`at di Hari Kiamat.
Dari Abu Umamah Al Bahili t berkata, saya telah mendengar Rasulullah bersabda : "Bacalah Al Qur`an !, maka sesungguhnya ia akan datang pada Hari Kiamat sebagai syafaat bagi ahlinya (yaitu orang yang membaca, mempelajari dan mengamalkannya)." H.R. Muslim.
4. Kenikmatan tiada tara
Dari Ibnu `Umar t, dari Nabi bersabda : "Tidak boleh seorang menginginkan apa yang dimiliki orang lain kecuali dalam dua hal; (Pertama) seorang yang diberi oleh Allah kepandaian tentang Al Qur`an maka dia mengimplementasikan (melaksanakan)nya sepanjang hari dan malam. Dan seorang yang diberi oleh Allah kekayaan harta maka dia infakkan sepanjang hari dan malam." Muttafaqun `Alaihi.
5. Ladang pahala.
Dari Abdullah bin Mas`ud t berkata, Rasulullah e : "Barangsiapa yang membaca satu huruf dari Kitabullah (Al Qur`an) maka baginya satu kebaikan. Dan satu kebaikan akan dilipat gandakan dengan sepuluh kali lipat. Saya tidak mengatakan "Alif lam mim" itu satu huruf, tetapi "Alif" itu satu huruf, "Lam" itu satu huruf dan "Mim" itu satu huruf." H.R. At Tirmidzi dan berkata : "Hadits hasan shahih".
6. Kedua orang tuanya mendapatkan mahkota surga
Dari Muadz bin Anas t, bahwa Rasulullah e bersabda : "Barangsiapa yang membaca Al Qur`an dan mengamalkan apa yang terdapat di dalamnya, Allah akan mengenakan mahkota kepada kedua orangtuanya pada Hari Kiamat kelak. (Dimana) cahayanya lebih terang dari pada cahaya matahari di dunia. Maka kamu tidak akan menduga bahwa ganjaran itu disebabkan dengan amalan yang seperti ini. " H.R. Abu Daud.
KEMBALI KEPADA AL QUR`AN
Bukti empirik di lapangan terlihat dengan sangat jelas bahwa kaum muslimin pada saat ini telah jauh dari Al Qur`an Al Karim yang merupakan petunjuknya dalam mengarungi bahtera kehidupannya (The Way of Life). Firman Allah I :
Berkatalah Rasul:"Ya Rabbku, sesungguhnya kaumku telah menjadikan al-Qur'an ini sesuatu yang tidak diacuhkan". (QS. 25:30)
Dan mereka (para musuh Islam) berusaha keras untuk menjauhkan kaum muslimin secara personal maupun kelompok dari sumber utama kekuatannya yaitu Al Qur`an Al Karim. Sebagaimana yang telah diungkapkan oleh Al Qur`an Al Karim mengenai target rahasia mereka dalam memerangi kaum muslimin dalam firman-Nya :
Dan orang-orang yang kafir berkata:"Janganlah kamu mendengar dengan sungguh-sungguh akan al-Qur'an ini dan buatlah hiruk-pikuk terhadapnya, supaya kamu dapat mengalahkan (mereka). (QS. 41:26)
Jal Daston selaku perdana menteri Inggris mengemukakan : "Selagi Al Qur`an masih di tangan umat Islam, Eropa tidak akan dapat mengusai negara-negara Timur." (Lihat buku "Rencana Penghapusan Islam dan Pembantaian Kaum Muslimin di Abad Modern" oleh Nabil Bin Abdurrahman Al Mahisy / 13).
Jauhnya umat terhadap Al Qur`an Al Karim merupakan suatu masalah besar yang sangat fundamental dalam tubuh kaum muslimin. Perkara untuk mempedomi petunjuk Allah I melalui kitab-Nya, bukan sekedar perbuatan sunnah atau suatu pilihan. Firman Allah I :
Dan tidakkah patut bagi laki-laki yang mu'min dan tidak (pula) bagi perempuan yang mu'min, apabila Allah dan Rasul-Nya telah menetapkan suatu ketetapan, akan ada bagi mereka pilihan (yang lain) tentang urusan mereka.Dan barang siapa mendurhakai Allah dan Rasul-Nya maka sungguhlah dia telah sesat, dengan kesesatan yang nyata. (QS. 33:36)
Tegasnya, menjadikan kitab Allah Subhanahu wa Ta`ala sebagai sumber petunjuk satu-satunya dalam kehidupan dan mengembalikan segala masalah hanya kepada-Nya merupakan suatu keharusan oleh setiap diri kita. Kita sama-sama bersepakat bahwa dalam menanggulangi masalah kerusakan sebuah pesawat terbang, kita harus memanggil seorang insinyur yang membuat pesawat itu, dan kita sama-sama bersepakat bahwa seorang pilot yang akan mengoperasionalkan suatu pesawat terbang harus mengikuti buku petunjuk oprasional pesawat yang dikeluarkan dari perusahaan yang memproduksinya. Tetapi mengapa kita tidak mau menerapkan prinsip ini dalam diri kita sendiri. Allah I lah yang menciptakan kita dan hanya petunjuk-Nya yang benar. Sedang kita mengetahui bahwa pegangan yang mantap dan pengarahan yang benar hanyalah :
Katakanlah:"Sesungguhnya petunjuk Allah itulah petunjuk (yang sebenarnya)". (QS. 2:120)
Ringkas dan tegas. Petunjuk Allah I itulah petunjuk. Selain dari itu bukan petunjuk. Tidak bertele-tele, tidak ada helah, tidak dapat ditukar. Rasulullah e bersabda :
"Sesungguhnya Allah mengangkat beberapa kaum dengan Kitab (Al Qur`an) ini dan menghinakan yang lain dengannya pula." H.R. Muslim.
Karena itu jangan sampai kita mengikuti hawa nafsu mereka yang menyimpang dari garis yang tegas ini :
Dan sesungguhnya jika kamu mengikuti kemauan mereka setelah pengetahan datang kepadamu, maka Allah tidak lagi menjadi pelindung dan penolong bagimu. (QS. 2:120)
Ringkasnya, ketika umat Islam telah jauh dari Kitabullah, maka musibah dan malapetaka serta segala jenis penyakit hati akan datang silih berganti, sebagaimana yang saat ini kita lihat sendiri secara kasat mata.
Kita berdoa kepada Allah I, semoga Dia I mengerakkan hati dan memudahkan langkah kita dan umat Islam lainnya untuk kembali kepada Kitabullah dan Sunnah Nabinya e sehingga menjadi umat yang terbaik sebagaimana firman-Nya I :
Kamu adalah umat yang terbaik yang dilahirkan untuk manusia, menyuruh kepada yang ma'ruf, dan mencegah dari yang munkar, dan beriman kepada Allah. (QS. 3:110)
Tips Meredam Marah
Marah dan emosi adalah tabiat manusia. Kita tidak dilarang marah, namun diperintahkan untuk mengendalikannya agar tidak sampai menimbulkan efek negatif. Dalam riwayat Abu Said al-Khudri Rasulullah saw bersabda Sebaik-baik orang adalah yang tidak mudah marah dan cepat meridlai, sedangkan seburuk-buruk orang adalah yang cepat marah dan lambat meridlai (H.R. Ahmad).
DAlam riwayat Abu Hurairah dikatakan Orang yang kuat tidaklah yang kuat dalam bergulat, namun mereka yang bisa mengendalikan dirinya ketika marah (H.R. Malik).
Menahan marah bukan pekerjaan gampang, sangat sulit untuk melakukannya. Ketika ada orang bikin gara-gara yang memancing emosi kita, barangkali darah kita langsung naik ke ubun-ubun, tangan sudah gemetar mau memukul, sumpah serapah sudah berada di ujung lidah tinggal menumpahkan saja, tapi jika saat itu kita mampu menahannya, maka bersyukurlah, karena kita termasuk orang yang kuat.
Cara-cara meredam atau mengendalikan kemarahan:
1. Membaca Ta'awwudz. Rasulullah bersabda Ada kalimat kalau diucapkan niscaya akan hilang kemarahan seseorang, yaitu A'uudzu billah mina-syaithaani-r-rajiim Aku berlindung kepada Allah dari godaan syaitan yang terkutuk (H.R. Bukhari Muslim).
2. Berwudlu. Rasulullah bersabda Kemarahan itu itu dari syetan, sedangkan syetan tercipta dari api, api hanya bisa padam dengan air, maka kalau kalian marah berwudlulah (H.R. Abud Dawud).
3. Duduk. Dalam sebuah hadist dikatakanKalau kalian marah maka duduklah, kalau tidak hilang juga maka bertiduranlah (H.R. Abu Dawud).
4. Diam. Dalam sebuah hadist dikatakan Ajarilah (orang lain), mudahkanlah, jangan mempersulit masalah, kalau kalian marah maka diamlah (H.R. Ahmad).
5. Bersujud, artinya shalat sunnah minimal dua rakaat. Dalam sebuah hadist dikatakan Ketahuilah, sesungguhnya marah itu bara api dalam hati manusia. Tidaklah engkau melihat merahnya kedua matanya dan tegangnya urat darah di lehernya? Maka barangsiapa yang mendapatkan hal itu, maka hendaklah ia menempelkan pipinya dengan tanah (sujud). (H.R. Tirmidzi)
DAlam riwayat Abu Hurairah dikatakan Orang yang kuat tidaklah yang kuat dalam bergulat, namun mereka yang bisa mengendalikan dirinya ketika marah (H.R. Malik).
Menahan marah bukan pekerjaan gampang, sangat sulit untuk melakukannya. Ketika ada orang bikin gara-gara yang memancing emosi kita, barangkali darah kita langsung naik ke ubun-ubun, tangan sudah gemetar mau memukul, sumpah serapah sudah berada di ujung lidah tinggal menumpahkan saja, tapi jika saat itu kita mampu menahannya, maka bersyukurlah, karena kita termasuk orang yang kuat.
Cara-cara meredam atau mengendalikan kemarahan:
1. Membaca Ta'awwudz. Rasulullah bersabda Ada kalimat kalau diucapkan niscaya akan hilang kemarahan seseorang, yaitu A'uudzu billah mina-syaithaani-r-rajiim Aku berlindung kepada Allah dari godaan syaitan yang terkutuk (H.R. Bukhari Muslim).
2. Berwudlu. Rasulullah bersabda Kemarahan itu itu dari syetan, sedangkan syetan tercipta dari api, api hanya bisa padam dengan air, maka kalau kalian marah berwudlulah (H.R. Abud Dawud).
3. Duduk. Dalam sebuah hadist dikatakanKalau kalian marah maka duduklah, kalau tidak hilang juga maka bertiduranlah (H.R. Abu Dawud).
4. Diam. Dalam sebuah hadist dikatakan Ajarilah (orang lain), mudahkanlah, jangan mempersulit masalah, kalau kalian marah maka diamlah (H.R. Ahmad).
5. Bersujud, artinya shalat sunnah minimal dua rakaat. Dalam sebuah hadist dikatakan Ketahuilah, sesungguhnya marah itu bara api dalam hati manusia. Tidaklah engkau melihat merahnya kedua matanya dan tegangnya urat darah di lehernya? Maka barangsiapa yang mendapatkan hal itu, maka hendaklah ia menempelkan pipinya dengan tanah (sujud). (H.R. Tirmidzi)
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