1. Niken’s Letter about Butterflies

("Is it true that butterflies never visit your garden?")

Fifit, my dearest friend, How are you? I've read your letter and it's made me

happy. In that letter, you told me about your beautiful garden that is never visited by

butterflies. Strange, isn't it? A garden full of flowers but without butterflies. Fifit, do

you want to hear my stories? I also have a little garden beside my house. Before that,

we had a garden at the front of the house. It's a pity, we had to loose the garden for the

making of the public road. About the little garden, it used to be an empty field, where

wild grass and bushes grew. Not so interesting view.

One day, my clever big sister, Sapti, turned that empty field to a garden. Well,

a busy day it was. We went here and there to our neighbors to lend shovels and plant

scissors. First we cut all the wild plants and cleaned the field. Then, we made some

little hills. After that, we looked for flower plants. We called every plant-seller who

passed our house and chose some beautiful plants, and of course, the not so expensive

one. We also asked the seller how to plant and took care of those plants.

The garden was not full at once because we bought the plant one by one. You

should know we bought the plants with our pocket money. Besides buying we also

had new plants from our friends. Every week we always had new plants. And after

months, our garden had been full of beautiful plants and flowers. We're proud of it. So

were Mom and Dad. I don't know exactly how many kinds of plants there are in our

garden. But I'm sure, the rose is the most I love. There are red roses and orange roses.

I love the other flowers too. But I do not know the entire names. Such as little white

flowers with shape like bells; violet flowers that remind me of some very tiny flowers;

big yellow flowers, or orchid with red dots on it. Very beauti-ful, isn't it?

Guests always visit the garden every day and are never bored to enjoy it for

hours. No, they're not my friends, or Sapti's friend. Our friends do not come every

day. Can you guess who they are? Buzzing bees, caterpillars that never stop chewing

the leaves, dancing ladybugs, the hard-working ants, and most of all: the butterflies

with their gorgeous wings.

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I often stand among the flowers and then some butterflies sit on my hands. I

can see very clearly, how they flutter their colored wings. What beautiful creatures!

They seem to speak to me. Not with our language, but with grace movement, as if

they said, "Nice to be here in your garden. We can fly from one flower to another

without fear to be harmed."

Dear Fifit, your garden is not the only one that is never visited by butterflies.

Some of my friends have the same complain as you have. Why? Because the

butterflies are always chased, captured, even tortured. Can you imagine if your body

is tied tightly and then you are forced to run? Some kids did that awful thing to

butterflies! They tied butterflies with strings till they couldn't fly again. The poor

butterflies could only fluttered their wings in vain. They must have screamed, "Please,

release me!" Sometimes, a butterfly could escape and quickly warned their friends.

"Watch out! Don't ever go to that garden. There is a kid who likes hurting us."

Finally, no butterfly ever dares visiting that garden.

Fifit, eventhough they are animals, the butterflies also have feelings. If we do

good things to them, they would do nice things to us. If we do bad things to them,

they won't come to you again.They are weak animals. If danger comes, they can only

fly away. They can't fight back.

Now, is it true butterflies never visit your garden? Try to watch your garden

from inside the house through the window. I'm sure, there will be some butterflies

come by. Probably, they wait until nobody was in the garden.

Fifit, I am not accusing you hurting the butter-flies. Maybe there was

somebody who had come to your garden and disturbed the butterflies. If you want to

speak to butterflies, it's easy. The most important thing is never having intention to

harm them. Give some friendly signs that you want to play with them. I'm sure they

will do it for you. Hope many butterflies will come to your garden soon.

Your best friend,

Niken ………

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2. Kiki and Kiku

Once lived two little birds in a branch of a tree. Their names were Kiki and

Kiku. They were friends but they had different characters. Kiki woke up before

sunrise, always. He then would jump from one branch to another, exercising. Then he

flied over the trees and sang. Kiki would feel happy if he could see the sunrise.

"Good morning, dearest Sun," greeted Kiki friendly. "Good morning, Kiki!

Ho, ho, ho, this morning you woke up earlier than me again," answered the Sun. Kiki

and the Sun chatted everyday.

If Kiki always woke up early, Kiku never did that. He always woke up when

the Sun was at the top of the tree. Everyday he slept too long and he was lazy to

exercise. Kiku often fell ill. Kiki was upset to see Kiku's laziness. He couldn't clean

his bedroom every morning because Kiku was still sleeping. Kiki thought and

thought.

He wanted to make Kiku dilligent and woke up early in the morning like he

did. "Kiku, have you eaten some worms?" asked Kiki one day. "No, I haven't. How

does it taste?" Kiku seemed interested. "You've never eaten worms? Well, don't call

yourself a bird, then. A true bird eats worms everyday," said Kiki proudly.

"Oh. If that is so, I'm going to look for a worm," said Kiku. "Where are you

going to find the worm?" mocked Kiki. "Where? Mmm, I don't know," said Kiku

shyly. "Well, I'll tell you. But you have to make a promise." "What is that?" "You

must wake up early every morning, starting tomorrow." “Agree.”

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Next morning, Kiki woke up early as usual. Wow, it's very difficult to make

Kiku wake up. Kiku was still sleepy and closed his eyes. "Look, Kiku! Mrs Chicken

is scratching the ground. There are a lot of worms there. Do you want to eat some?"

asked Kiki. Kiku woke up in a second. "Cluck...cluck...! Come, Kiki, tell your friend

to have breakfast together," said Mrs Chicken. Then they breakfasted happily. "Kiki,

now that I have eaten a worm, then I am a true bird now, aren't I?" asked Kiku. "But a

true bird always wakes up early," said Kiki. "Well, I'll try to wake up early everyday

now. Waking up early makes me healthy, right?" "Right! Now we can have some

exercises together," said Kiki. "Of course!" So, the two birds flew high up in the fresh

blue sky and among the branches of the trees.

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3. The Kind Hearted Becak Driver

Andini's mother was sick. His father went to another town. So, Andini had to take

care her mother. She had to prepare the meal, accompanied her mother to the doctor,

and buy her mother some medicine.

"Please take that wallet, Andini," asked her mother in a soft voice.

"In that wallet there are some money and a prescription doctor."

"Yes, Mom," answered Andini. She's so worried about her mother's illness. Andini

wanted her mother to get well soon. So, she went to the drugstore.

"Pedicab!" shouted Andini to a pedicab driver.

"Where are you going, young lady?" ask the pedicab driver

"Please take me to Sehat Pharmacy," said Andini.

"Of course."

Then pedicab driver asked Andini to get on pedicab. Andini sat down on the pedicab's

chair. The pedicab rode on slowly on the street. Andini opened the wallet. She took

the recipe and a thoushand Rupiahs to pay the pedicab driver.

A few minuter later, they arrived at Sehat Pharmacy. Andini jumped from the

pedicab. Then she paid the pedicab driver.

"Thank you," said the pedicab driver.

Andini ran to the pharmacy, then she gave the prescription to pharmacy assistant.

"Please wait," she said friendly.

Andini sat down. She thought about her ill mother. Moreover, about the medicines

which very very expensive that time. Expensive? Suddnly she remembered about her

wallet. She didn't carry the wallet anymore. She was very panic. She thought the

wallet might be in the pedicab. So, she ran outside to find the pedicab. She almost hit

some one.

"Young Lady," someone called her. Oh, he's the pedicab driver. She was relieved.

"You left your wallet at my pedicab chair. I hope next time you will be more

carefull," said the pedicab driver. He gave the wallet to Andini.

"Good bye," said the pedicab driver. Andini froze. She wasn't aware that the man

disappeared.

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"Oh, I haven't said thank you to him," she whispered.

Andini opened the wallet. There were 150 thousand Rupiahs in her wallet. It's content

was still the same.

Andini felt thouched. She never thought that she would meet a very kind hearted man.

Actually, condition in this country was not so good. There were many unemployment.

The price of things, including the food were very expensive.

Andini knew precisely the income of the pedicab drivers weren't high. Only a few

thousands a day. That man wa an honest man.

"God, please help that kind old man. Please give him and his family the useful

fortune, Amen."

Andini prayed with all her heart.

Becak is pedicab in Indonesian language

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4. A Bunch of Flowers on the Cliff’s Edge

Amelia's house was in a quiet place. It was in a hilly village. The garden of that house was very beautiful. Flowers with various colours grew there. Amelia grew some roses. She's a nature lover. One day Amelia closed her book. She felt tired after studying hard. She stood by the window. She could see the mountain from there. It's beautiful bluish green.

"How beautiful. How wonderful if I can reach the top of that mountain without climbing.

"If you want to fly there, follow me," said a soft voice. Amelia

was surprised.

"Who are you? Why did you come in without permission?"

"My name is Yuli. My home is a bit far from here. I want to be your friend, Amelia,"

said that girl.

"You knew my name," said Amelia.

"I often heard your mother calling you," Yuli answered. She reached out her hand to

Amelia. Amelia shook Yuli's hand.

"Why is your hand so cold? Are you ill?" ask Amelia worried.

"I haven’t been to school for few days," said Yuli.

"If you were sick, why aren’t you in bed now?" asked Amelia.

"Outdoor atmosphere will make me better, Amelia," said Yuli. Yuli pulled Amelia's

hand. She wanted Amelia to follow her.

"Oh, no. I can not go now. I must do my homework."

"Okay. How about tomorrow?" asked Yuli.

"You are welcome. My mother will make some delicious cakes for me. You must

taste it, Yuli," said Amelia.

"Thanks Amelia. You are so kind." Yuli waved to Amelia and then she’s gone.

Amelia’s mother was puzzled to see her daughter talking alone.

"Who talked to you, Amelia?" asked her.

"Oh, I talked to Yuli, my new friend," Amelia answered.

"But I didn’t see anybody near," said Amelia’s mother worried.

"This wasn’t my fantasy, Mom. Yuli is my real friend. Her house is a bit far from

here. She’ll come again tomorrow. I had promised to give her the cake you make,"

told Amelia.

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"You are a little bit strange," mumbled Amelia’s mother. She shook her head.

The next day, the sun shone lightly. It was still seven in the morning. Amelia looked

outside the window. She saw Yuli behind the fence.

"Oh, you are coming. But why do you look sad?" asked Amelia. Yuli didn’t speak.

There were tears in her eyes, falling down her cheeks.

"Are you crying?" asked Amelia. Yuli nodded.

"Amelia, please come with me. It’ll only take a minute. I’ll show you something. It’s

beautiful but sad," said Yuli. Amelia felt sorry for her. She agreed to accompany Yuli.

"Hold my hand," Yuli said. Soon they arrived in a place.

"Well, look at those flowers, Amelia. Beautiful, aren’t they? I want to pick them,"

Yuli pointed at a bunch of flowers which grew on the cliff’s edge. Those were

beautiful flowers indeed. But they grew in a dangerous place.

"No! Yuli! Please don’t go there. It’s very dangerous!" Amelia shouted. She tried to

stop her. But Yuli had walked toward the cliff’s edge. Yuli were trying to reach for

the flowers. Suddenly, the ground she stepped in cracked. Instantly Yuli fell into the

bottom of the cliff. An old man heard Amelia screaming. He was cutting bushes. He

came to her but she couldn’t speak a word. She only pointed at the deep cliff. The

man went down the cliff very carefully. He saw Yuli lying there.

"Oh, my God. I think this is the lost child. Her parents have searched for her

everywhere," he mumbled sadly and scared. Amelia was very sad when she knew

about Yuli. The man accompany her to her home. He then told Yuli’s parents that

Yuli had passed away. She had fallen down the cliff. Amelia’s father remembered

something. He took a paper under the table. He had read some news about the lost girl

named Yuli. Actually, Yuli had been lost for a week. She had fallen down the cliff.

Nobody knew about it. Amelia knew Yuli had wanted Amelia to help her, so that her

body would be found.

"So, it’s Yuli’s soul who came to me, Father?" asked Amelia. Her father nodded.

"That’s why her hand was so cold. But I needn’t be afraid. I will always pray for her,"

she whispered. The next morning, Amelia opened the window. She was so surprised

to find a bunch of flowers near outside the window. Some pink flowers. Wet with

dews and so fresh. Amelia remembered that Yuli loved these flowers.

"My God, I hope you give Yuli the nicest place beside You, Amen," she whispered.

Tears were running down her cheeks.

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5. Talaga Warna

Long long ago there was a kingdom in West Java. The kingdom was ruled by

a king. People called their king His Majesty Prabu. Prabu was a kind and wise king.

No wonder if that country was prosperous. There's no hunger in this kingdom.

It was a very happy condition. But it was a pity that Prabu and his queen

hadn't got any children. It made the royal couple very very sad. Some old men and

women who was respected by Prabu suggested the king to adopt a child. But Prabu

and the queen didn't agree. "No, thank you. But for us, our own daughter or son is

better than adopted children."

The queen was very sad. She often cried. That was why Prabu decided to go.

He went to the jungle. There he prayed to God. Everyday he begged for a child. His

dream come true. A few months later, the queen got fregnant. All people in the

kingdom felt happy. They sent many presents to the palace to express their happiness.

Nine months later a princess was born. People sent their presents again as a

gift to a little princess. This baby grew as a beautiful teenager then.

Prabu and Queen loved their daughter so much. They gave what ever she

wanted. It made Princess a very spoiled girl. When her wish couldn't be realized, she

became very angry. She even said bad things often. A true princess wouldn't do that.

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Eventhough the princess behaved badly, her parents loved her, so did the people in

that kingdom.

Day by day, the princess grew more beautiful. No girls couldn't compare with

her. In a few days, Princess would be 17 years old. So, people of that kingdom went

to palace. They brought many presents for her. Their presents gift were very beautiful.

Prabu collected the presents. There were really many presents. Then Prabu stored

them in a building. Some times he could take them to give to his people.

Prabu only took some gold and jewels. Then she brought them to the

goldsmith. "Please make a beautiful necklace for my daughter," said Prabu. "My

pleasure, Your Majesty," the goldsmith replied. The goldsmith worked with all his

heart and his ability. He wanted to create the most beautiful necklace in the world

because he loved his princess.

The birthday came. People gathered in the palace field. When Prabu and queen

appeared, people welcomed them happily. Prabu and his wife waved to their beloved

people.

Cheers were louder and louder when the princess appeared with her fabulous

pretty face. Everybody admired her beauty. Prabu got up from his chair. A lady gave

him a small and glamourous pillow. A wonderful necklace was on it. Prabu took that

necklace. "My beloved daughter, today I give this necklace to you. This necklace is a

gift from people in this country. They love you so much. They presented it for you to

express their happiness, because you have growing to a woman. Please, wear this

necklace," said Prabu.

Princess accepted the necklace. She looked at the necklace in a glance. "I don't

want to accepted it! It's ugly!" shouted the princess. Then she threw the necklace. The

beautiful necklace was broken. The gold and jewels were spread out on the floor

Everybody couldn't say anything. They never thought that their beloved princess

would did that cruel thing. Nobody spoke. In their silence people heard the queen

crying. Every woman felt sad and began crying too. Then everybody was crying.

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Then there was a miracle. Earth was crying. Suddenly, from the under ground,

a spring emerged. It made a pool of water. The palce was getting full. Soon the place

became a big lake. The lake sank all of the kingdom.

Nowadays the water on that lake is not as full as before. There is only a small

lake now. People called the lake "Talaga Warna". It is mean "Lake of Colour". It's

located in Puncak, West Java. On a bright day, the lake is full of colour. So beautiful

and amazing. These colors come from shadows of forest, plants, flowers, and sky

arround the lake. But some people said that the colours are from the princess's

necklace, which spreads at the bottom of the lake.

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6. The Jealous Moon

Sky was decorated with moon and stars. They shone beautifully. It’s very nice they

could see the beautiful nature from the high place. Earth looked so quiet.

Almost in every houses’s terrace people sat and chatted. They looked at the night sky.

The Moon was very happy. Then she said to the stars. “Look, they are admiring me.”

“Admiring you? Don’t be so sure. Maybe they are admiring us,” said a little star.

“But from the earth, I looked bigger and beautiful than you!” said the Moon. “Huh,

you are so arrogant,” grumbled a star to his friend.

“It is okay if she is arrogant. But note this, she cannot defeat the Sun,” said another

star. “What?” The Moon shocked.

“Yes. You cannot defeat the Sun. Why? Because the Sun has more fans than you. In

the morning when Sun rises, people want to see that. When the Sun’s going up the

sky, people are sunbathing to make their body healthy. People love the Sun. But

besides that, people respect her. Eventhough she shines strongly, people never

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grumble. They only have to find the shady place. The Sun gives dries million wet

clothes a day. Actually we like the Sun. Because she’s very wonderful,” told the star.

“She isn’t arrogant too!” continued a star. Moon didn’t talk anymore. She’s very

upset. Is it right that the Sun is as great as they said? All night long she could not rest.

She kept on thinking how to defeat the Sun.

Finally, the Moon had an idea. Morning Came. The Sun walked to the Moon. “Good

morning, Moon. It is time to me to work. Now you can take a rest.” “No!” “Why?”

asked the Sun amazed. “I want to work in a day time too.”

“Moon, daytime is my worktime. You must take some rest. So you can work to night

freshly,” said the Sun. “No! Actually I want to compete with you,” said the Moon.

“Compete me? How?” the Sun was confused.

“The stars said that you were greater than me. I wonder if is it true that you are the

greatest?” “But how do we know that?” ask the Sun. “I will keep staying here with

you. Then we’ll see who is the greatest. We’ll see you or me who is liked by people,”

told the Moon.

“Ha ha ha,” Sun laughed. She felt it was funny. “Moon, in the morning time people

cannot see you. Because my light is stronger than you. So what the use of it?” Moon

didn’t care. She kept staying with the sun.

But then she felt disappointed. All day long she was there. Nobody greeted her. They

only greeted the sun. “Hu hu hu, nobody likes me. The stars were right. Sun was

greater than me,” Moon cried sadly. “Mmm you know now, that Sun is very great,”

said some stars which circled her. “Now, take some rest, Moon. Night will come.”

“No! I don’t want that! Nobody likes me. There is no use I am there,” replied Moon

sadly. “Moon, listen to us. Sun is not as great as you thought. But we love the sun

because she isn’t arrogant. I like you too if you aren’t arrogant. Actually between you

and the sun, you aren’t comparable. Why? Because you have own speciality. Please,

don’t cry again,” one star cheered up Moon.

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Moon stopped crying. What the star said was right. She musn’t be arrogant. “Moon,

look!” said a star. On the earth some kids waved. “Yes, they want you to light their

place. They are going to play,” said another star.

“But uaaaah….” Moon yawned. “Moon is sleepy because all day long she didn’t

sleep. Never mind. To night she can take some rest,” said a star.

That night Moon didn’t work. She was sleeping soundly. Never mind, that night sky

wasn’t decorated with tne moon. The most important was that the Moon had realized

her fault. She wasn’t arrogant anymore. And she were always there every night then.

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7. Tangkuban Parahu (Downside Boat)

Long time ago in the West Java, lived a woman named Dayang Sumbi. She lived

alone and she was thirsting for a husband or a live-friend.

One day when quilting, her quilt fell off from her house. Then she prayed to gods "If a

man picks up my quilt, he will be my husband. If a woman, she will be my sister."

Then, a male dog picked it up. So Dayang Sumbi got married to the dog, and called

him Tumang.

Dayang Sumbi gave a birth to a baby, named him Sangkuriang, but never tell him

who is his father.

One day, Sangkuriang was hunting with Tumang in the forest and he found nothing.

He blamed Tumang for the failure and killed Tumang. When Dayang Sumbi knew

that, she hit Sangkuriang's head with a big spoon and expelled him.

Many years later, the wandering Sangkuriang found a house in the forest, and an old

beautiful woman was in the house. The woman, Dayang Sumbi, recognized the

adventurer as Sangkuriang.

Sangkuriang forced her to marry him and she told that Sangkuriang had to build a vast

boat for their honeymoon, just in one night.

In the night, Sangkuriang called his friends, ghosts and forest fairies to help him.

Feared the boat to complete, Dayang Sumbi asked another women in the nearby forest

to help her. So the women punched the grains with grains puncher to make noise

which disturbed the ghosts and fairies.

The morning came before they completed the boat,  and the ghosts and the fairies ran

away, leaving Sangkuriang. Enraged, Sangkuriang kicked away the boat to the

downside, and it turned into a mountain, called Tangkuban Parahu, which stood in the

north of my city Bandung, until now.

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A baby between a woman and an animal

This kind of story appears in various myth around the world. Famous example is

Minotaur in Greece who was born from the queen of Crete and a cow. It's said that

human beings wanted to get the force of animals.

Marrying to mother

A famous example is Oedipus. He actually got married and had babies with his

mother but in this Indonesian story, the mother stayed away from it.

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8. Malin Kundang

Long time ago, in a small village near the beach in West Sumatera, lived a woman

and her son, Malin Kundang. Malin Kundang's father had passed away when he was a

baby, and he had to live hard with his mother.

Malin Kundang was a healthy, dilligent, and strong child. He usually went to the sea

to catch fish, and brought it to his mother, or sold it in the town.

One day, when Malin Kundang was sailing as usual, he saw a merchant's ship which

was being raided by a small band of pirates. With his brave and power, Malin

Kundang defeated the pirates. The merchant was so happy and asked Malin Kundang

to sail with him. Malin Kundang agreed.

Many years later, Malin Kundang became a wealthty merchant, with a huge ship,

loads of trading goods, many ship crews, and a beautiful wife. In his journey, his ship

landed on a beach. The villagers reconigzed him, and the news ran fast in the town:

Malin Kundang became a rich man and now he is here. His mother, in deepful

sadnees after years of loneliness, ran to the beach to meet her beloved son again.

When the mother came, Malin Kundang, in front of his well dressed wife, his crews

and his own gloriness, denied to meet that old, poor and dirty woman. For three times

she begged Malin Kundang and for three times yelled at him. At last Malin Kundang

said to her "Enough, old woman! I have never had a mother like you, a dirty and ugly

peasant!" Then he ordered his crews to set sail.

Enraged, she cursed Malin Kundang that he would turn into a stone if he didn't

apologize. Malin Kundang just laughed and set sail.

In the quiet sea, suddenly a thunderstorm came. His huge ship was wrecked and it was

too late for Malin Kundang to apologized. He was thrown by the wave out of his ship,

fell on a small island, and suddenly turned into stone.

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9. Landorundun

This story comes from Tana Toraja, in South Sulawesi (Celebes).

Landorundun was a young beautiful girl with long hair.

One day she took a bath in the river, and combed her hair. One of her hair was fallen,

and when she put it on a stone, the wind flew it to the river bank and it reached the

middle of sea.

Landorundun's hair was glowing in the sunlight, and an adventurer, Bendurana saw it

from his ship. He ordered his companions to take that hair, but all of them came back

wounded.

Bendurana then walked on water, took the hair himself. He rolled the hair over his

arm, and the hair turned to be very long. When he wondered the origin of the hair, a

bird said to him where it came from. He followed the flock of the birds, and finally

dropped the anchor to a stone, nowadays called Batu Sangkinan Lembang.

Then Bendurana planted a mango tree, instantly grew and had fruits.

He walked around the place and found a girl, Landorundun. Bendurana asked

Landorundun to marry him, but she said her father Solokang and mother Lambe Susu

aren't ready to be separated from her.

Then Bendurana walked away, but he kept stalking Landorundun.

When Landorundun took a bath at the river, she saw the mango tree that Bendurana

had planted and picked fruits.

After she ate it, Bendurana asked her who ate his mango, and Landorundun said the

shepherd boys did it, but they said Landorundun did. Finally Landorundun

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surrendered and agreed to marry Bendurana.

To trick her mother Lambe Susu, Bendurana gave her a bottle with large hole on its

bottom, and ordered Lambe Susu to fill it with water. When she realized she had been

tricked, Lambe Susu just saw her daughter sailed away.

At their wedding ceremony, Landorundun wasn't happy, and kept quiet. But when a

man brought a crow with invalid leg, she laughed seeing the crow jumping in an odd

way.

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10. Mouse Deer and Otter's Child

In ancient Indonesian society, there were lots of stories involving animals, as fables written by Aesop in Western society. In Indonesia, the creators of those stories are unknown. The similarity is, the animals speak and do things as humans. The theme of the stories are giving moral lessons to children, sometimes to adults.

In ancient Malay society, mouse deer was the protagonist in almost every fables and I'll give you an example.

One day, when the mouse deer was dancing, he accidentaly stepped on the otter's child and killed him.

Why was the mouse deer dancing? Because he heard the music of war drum.

Why was the war drum played?Because the woodpecker pecked it, after he saw the gecko used his sword.

Why did the gecko use his sword?Because he saw the turtle wore his shell.

Why?Because the turtle saw the crab aimed his trident.

Why? Because the crab saw the river shrimp carried his spear.

Why?Because the river shrimp saw the otter was going to eat his children.

Then King Solomon (yes, that famous King Solomon), gave them a conclusion as a judge that the mouse deer was innocent, and the guilt was charged on otter himself.

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11. LoroJonggrang

Candi (Temple) of Prambanan stands in

Jogjakarta Special Area, has another name, Temple

of Loro Jonggrang. Actually it isn't just a

temple, it is a complex of temples, made circa 9th century.

Prambanan is a sacred temple for Shiva Hindunese, and it has about 200 temples. This

is the myth and the fact about the making of the temple.

Loro Jonggrang was a daughter of a giant king called Ratu Baka (King of Death), and

she had a propose from a young noble, Bandung Bandawasa. He was handsome,

wealth and powerful, but Loro Jonggrang didn't want to marry him.

Ratu Baka gave a task to Bandung Bandawasa. He had to make 1000 temples in one

night, to prepare his marriage to Loro Jonggrang. Bandung Bandawasa used his

supernatural force to call the genies, and they made the temples in unbelieveable

speed.

Loro Jonggrang used the classical tactics to sweep away the genie: She ordered her

servants to help her hit the rice punchers, and made the sound of cooking, so the

genies thought morning had come and they ran away.

Bandung Bandawasa was so angry with her act. He already finished 999 temples and

when he built the 1000th, he cursed Loro Jonggrang into it.

The largest temple in Prambanan complex is the Shiva temple, and inside the temple,

there is a Durga (Goddess of Darkness, wife of Shiva, God of Destruction) believed as

the body of Loro Jonggrang.

Historians said the myth is based on the true story.

In 9th century, Rakai Patapan Pu Palar, a member of Sanjaya Dynasty in Central Java,

started a rebellion againts the ruling Syailendra Dynasty. Scared by his threat, King

Samaratungga had his daughter Pramodawarddhani married to Rakai Patapan's son,

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Rakai Pitapan. Rakai Pitapan then became the King of Central and East Java and

started making Prambanan complex, which completed at 915 AD.

12. Wanebaka, Son of Tunde

In Bali, there was a man called Tunde. He had been married for 10 years but

had no child. So he was happy when his wife got pregnant. But after a few months,

his wife's belly returned to its normal size. It happened many times and he asked a

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shaman for a help but the shaman could not do anything about it.

One day, when Tunde's pregnant wife was washing at the river, she felt

something falling down from her body to the river, but she ignored it and kept

washing. After that, her belly resized to the normal size.

At home, she told it to her husband. "Maybe gods don't want us to have a

child," Tunde said. As usual, they let it pass, and for the next 10 years Tunde's wife

didn't get pregnant anymore.

10 years later, women who were washing at the river heard somebody's singing

but they didn't look anyone around.

O washing women

Tell my father Tunde

That Wanebaka has grown up

And want to be circumcised soon

The scared women told Tunde what they had experienced. First Tunde ignored

it. It occurred again and finally he attended a simple circumcising ritual, with no boy

is actually circumcised.

15 years later, the washing women heard somebody's singing again. This time

they didn't get afraid.

O washing women

Tell my father Tunde

That Wanebaka has grown up

And want to be married

Tunde then looked for a girl who would be a bride for his unexisting son. He

paid for the bride and arranged the marriage. He came to the river and said, "Whoever

you are, if you're really my son, come on the day of your wedding."

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At the wedding ceremony, a guest saw a snake crawling to Tunde's house and

everyone ran away in a panic. The snake got so disappointed and disappeared in the

bush.

A few years later, the song was heard again at the river and Tunde did the same

thing as before but this time he threatened the bride that he would kill her if she ran

away.

At the ceremony, the snake appeared again and everyone ran away including

Tunde and his wife. The bride stood where she was, waiting for her death. The snake's

tail touch her toe, and it went to a room. The bride followed the snake. The snake

drank a bottle of tuak and got drunk. While it was sleeping, its skin removed from the

body. The bride gathered it and burned it outside the house. The ash was buried.

When she returned to the room she found a handsome man sleeping in the bed. "Now

you won't become a snake anymore, and I'll be your loyal wife," she said.

PREGNANCY IN BALI

Perhaps, the basis of Wanebaka myth is a Balinese interpratition of toxoplasma

disease. Well, I'm not so good in biology but I heard that toxoplasma virus "eats" the

womb, so the womb suddenly returns to the normal size. The virus jumped into a

pregnant woman through cat and/or bird.

CIRCUMCISION

I'm kind of confused with this circumcise part. I don't know if it's a Balinese

traditional ritual, or influence from any religion. From what I know, Hindu doesn't

have circumcising ritual, and Islamic influence is so small in the island. BACK

TUAK

Tuak is a common alcohol drink in Indonesia, perhaps in South East Asia too. It's

made from fermented palm or coconut palm.

13. Queen Aji Bidara Putih

Muara Kaman county lies along the Mahakam River, in eastern Borneo. In the

past the county was a kingdom, ruled by Queen Aji Bidara Putih. She was a typical

queen of myths: beautiful, wise, and sensitive. Many princes and kings proposed her

but she always refused them because she concerned more about ruling her country

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and guarding her people.

One day, a Chinese junk came to eastern Borneo. First the people thought it

was a merchant ship but the ship was loaded with trade goods and highly trained

soldiers.

Their envoys brought gold antiques and porcelains to announce the proposal

from Prince of China. The queen didn't refuse instantly and replied that she had to

ponder first. After the envoys left the palace, the queen called a court officer and

ordered him to infiltrate the Chinese junk to gather information on the prince.

When the night fell, the officer sneaked into the junk, got through behind every

guards, and finally found the prince's room. The large door was opened and he

couldn't find any peek hole. So the officer put his ear to the wall, trying to catch

sounds from inside. He heard that the prince was having his dinner and the noise of

his chewing and slurping surprised the officer. It was like a boar which once he heard

when he was hunting.

He quickly left the boat and returned to the palace. He reported that the prince

must have been a phantom, not a human. He believed that the phantom could be in a

human's form only during the daytime. The queen was so surprised and got angry. On

the next day, she refused his proposal.

The enraged prince ordered his troops to raid Muara Kaman. The battle was

won by the huge troops of China, and they got close to the palace. Queen Aji Bidara

Putih chewed a leaf of betel vine and sang a mantra (spell) while holding it. When she

threw it to the Chinese troops, it turned to giant centipedes. The Chinese troops started

to retreat but three centipedes chased them and sank the junks.

The site of the sunk ship is now known as Danau Lipan, Lake of Centipede,

with Chinese treasures hidden on the lake's bed.

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A LEAF OF BETEL VINE

14. Nyi Roro Kidul

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This is the pricise story of "The Queen in Southern Sea."

Pajajaran kingdom lied in West Java from 1333 AD to 1630 AD and it was conquered

by the Islamic kingdom of Mataram from Central Java.

Pajajaran's greatest ruler was Prabu (King) Siliwangi. He had a bride in his harems

and a very beautiful daughter was born between he and the bride. The girl was called

Dewi Kadita and the beauties of Dewi Kadita and her mother made other harems

jealous, and they had a conspiracy against them.

The harems used some kind of black magic to make the bodies of Dewi Kadita and

her mother to be filthy and they turn to be so ugly and disgusting. Prabu Siliwangi got

angry against the mother and the daughter and forced them to get out of the palace, as

they were thought to be bad luck for the kingdom.

They were wandering around the country and one day the mother died. Dewi Kadita

was walking in deep sadness, until she reached the Southern Shore (the shore of

Indian Ocean) .

She sat above a rock in a stove shape and when she was sleeping, she had a vision that

she must have to jump into the water to help herself out of the curse.

When she woke up, with no second thought, Dewi Kadita jumped into the sea. She

returned to a beautiful lady as she was but then she realized that she was not a human

anymore. She turned into a supernatural form of life. Since then, she ruled all

creatures in the southern coast of Java Island, and she was known as Nyi Roro Kidul

(Javanese of "Lady of South Sea"). To avenge her father, she became the primary

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bride for Mataram kings , the rival of Pajajaran kingdom. It's believed for centuries,

even until now.

The river of Bengawan Solo, which started from the mystical mountain of Merapi in

Central Java and leads to Indian Ocean, is said as the tunnel used by Nyi Roro Kidul

to access Java.

And she traps males in green costume who are walking on the shore. They are

swallowed by the wave and missing or dead but he will become her guard or (maybe)

male.

This either can be the ancient Javanese explanation on the vacuum effect from

underwater canyons that lie in the southern shore of Java, where the depth of the

ocean's bed on the shore can reach more than 0-200 meters.

In psychological analysis, Nyi Roro Kidul can be a parallel of the revenge of a female

who was once rejected by a male. Once she regains her power and beauty, she takes

any man she wants.

And yet, I can't talk my point of view to Javanese elders.

The Queen in Southern Sea

"Nyi Roro Kidul" or the Queen in Southern Sea, had her palace in Indian Ocean.

It's said that she was the lover of Javanese kings.

Until now, many people believes that newly married couple or men with green shirt

are taboo to appear at Southern shores, because she will become enrage, and kidnap

the man to her kingdom.

15. Why Doesn’t a Bear Have a Long Tail?

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This is a Malay folktale, which is one of the ancient folktales that was "saved"

from extinction. A Dutch scholar, C. Hooykaas carried out his researches into Malay

culture in the end of 19th century and he contributed to protect it.

The original script is in Malay language, not in modern Indonesian language and I did

my best to translate it into English.

One afternoon, a mouse deer was sitting in a pit, eating nuts. He heard a tiger

was coming closer and he thought the tiger was going to eat him.

The mouse deer was very scared and his heart beat so hard.

Then, an idea came to his mind and he made a loud noise of chewing nuts, saying,

"Wow, how delicious is this tiger's eye!"

He repeated it for five times.

Tiger, the king of jungle, was so scared to hear that and he moved back.

Tiger met a bear on the way and he said, "Hey, Bear. Do you hear what did the

animal on the pit over there, eating tiger's eyes?"

Bear said, "I don't know, Your Majesty,"

Tiger said, "Then let's see."

Bear replied "But I'm scared, Your Majesty"

Tiger said, "Don't worry. Let's make a deal with me. We're going tostay together,

uniting our tails. If anything happens, both of us will face it."

Tiger and Bear tied their tails and moved into the pit with full cautions because

they were expecting to see a big enemy.

The mouse deer was surprised again.

He thought quickly and yelled, "Oh, that's the glutton tiger! His father owes us a white

bear, now he will pay us with a black bear. Come on black, over here."

Bear was so surprised. "Hey, it's a Tiger's trick! He wanted to use me to pay his

father's debt!"

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Bear went into a panic, which also made Tiger panic because they were tied each

other.

Accidentaly, Tiger stepped on the Bear's tail, then jumped. Bear was beaten on the

ground hard, and his tail was cut off.

That's why Bear doesn't have long tail.

Thus the mouse deer escaped from the tiger twice.

16. Mouse Deer and Otter's Child

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In ancient Indonesian society, there were lots of stories involving animals, as

fables written by Aesop in Western society.

In Indonesia, the creators of those stories are unknown. The similarity is, the animals

speak and do things as humans.

The theme of the stories are giving moral lessons to children, sometimes to adults.

In ancient Malay society, mouse deer was the protagonist in almost every fables and

I'll give you an example.

One day, when the mouse deer was dancing, he accidentaly stepped on the otter's

child and killed him.

Why was the mouse deer dancing?

Because he heard the music of war drum.

Why was the war drum played?

Because the woodpecker pecked it, after he saw the gecko used his sword.

Why did the gecko use his sword?

Because he saw the turtle wore his shell.

Why?

Because the turtle saw the crab aimed his trident.

Why?

Because the crab saw the river shrimp carried his spear.

Why?

Because the river shrimp saw the otter was going to eat his children.

Then King Solomon (yes, that famous King Solomon), gave them a conclusion as a

judge that the mouse deer was innocent, and the guilt was charged on otter himself.

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17. Jayabaya

And the other one that became a hot topic in Indonesia a few years ago, is the names of Indonesian leaders.

He said, "The upcoming kings, have name like this word, 'Notonegoro' (rule the state)."The first President of Indonesia (1945-1966) was Sukarno, NO on the last two letters. The second President of Indonesia (1967- ) is Soeharto, TO on the last two letters. That's why everyone is predicting who will be the third president.

This is the true story.

Jayabaya was born in 1135 in the kingdom of Kediri, East Java. He was famous as a

prophet-king. During his reign, he ordered Sedah and Panuluh, Mpu (teachers) and

writers as well in the kingdom, to write his stories. He lived only for 24 years but left

us 'Jangka Jayabaya,' a book of Jayabaya's propechy.

One of the most famous propechies is about the colonization of Indonesia and the

Second World War.

Jayabaya said, "There will be a time, the kingdom will be overtaken by strange people

coming from nowhere, with white skin, magic sticks that could kill people from the

distance. They will conquer and rule our kingdom for very long time, until a number

of short people with yellow skin come from north, drive out the whitemen. This new

foreigners also will rule our kingdom, but just as long as a corn's life (3 1/2 years)."

Indonesia had been the colony of Netherlands since 17th century and during the

Second World War, in March 1942, Japanese took over the country. Then they went

out in August 1945, just as Jayabaya said.

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18. Cursed Sword, Keris

In Indonesian people's life, keris has been a precious traditional sword. It can be

identified with its special shape.

The king of Kediri Kingdom in East Java, Kertajaya thought himself as a deity, and

he was opposed by the Brahmana (priests) caste. When he threated the Brahmanas,

they ran to Tumapel and asked the ruler, Ken Arok, for his protection. Ken Arok

thought that Kediri army would attack his territory, and ordered his troops to fortify.

Kediri army came to Tumapel as Arok was expecting. The Battle of Ganter, in 1222,

was the end of Kediri Kingdom, then Ken Arok formed his own empire, Singosari.

Ken Arok proclaimed himself as the son of Shiva.

Historians has been argued on Ken Arok's new dynasty because his origin wasn't clear

. Who is he? Why he could forma kingdom? Does he have a dark past?

After Kertajaya lost, the Kediri Kingdom was ruled by Tunggul Ametung.

He had a very beautiful wife, Ken Dedes. A statue in Leiden Museum, Netherlands,

shows Ken Dedes as Prajnaparamitha, Goddess of Wise.

One day Ken Arok accidentaly saw Ken Dedes, then a wind hiked her gown.

Suddenly Ken Arok got a vision, that he had to have Ken Dedes as his wife, at any

risk.

Ken Arok decided to kill Tunggul Ametung.

He ordered a "keris" (a sacred short sword) to a priest, Mpu Gandring. It took a long

time to make a "keris" because only englighted priest could make it, and they had to

do some rituals for that.

Ken Arok was impatient to wait the keris to be done. His lust to Ken Dedes is getting

bigger and bigger. He came up to Mpu Gandring to ask if the keris was completed.

When Mpu Gandrig said no, Ken Arok kill him with that incompleted keris.

Before he died, Mpu Gandring cursed the keris.

Later, Ken Arok lent the keris to Kebo Ijo, a petty criminal Kebo Ijo was so proud.

that he showed the keris to everyone. At night, Ken Arok stole the keris again, and he

succesfully kill Tunggul Ametung. Kebo Ijo was framed as the killer, but before he

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could talk, Ken Arok killed him with the keris.

In the 5th year of his reign, a man called Anusapati wanted the throne of Singosari

from Ken Arok. Ken Arok had abandoned Mpu Gandring's keris but Anusapati killed

him with that.

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

revenge.

At the 21th year of Anusapati's rule, Tohjaya invited Anusapati for gambling, and

when Anusapati was having fun, Tohjaya killed Anusapati, again with Mpu

Gandring's keris.

After Anusapati's death, his son Ranggawuni wanted the throne.

Tohjaya sent Lembu Ampal to attack Ranggawuni and his companion, Mahesa

Cempaka.

Lembu Ampal realized that Ranggawuni was the right person to be the king, and they

fought against Tohjaya. Tohjaya was killed with Mpu Gandring's keris.

Ranggawuni and Mahesa Cempaka realized that Mpu Gandring's keris would only

make chaos and death, so they threw the keris to the Java Sea.

Legend said that the keris turned to be a dragon.

The Battle of Ganter

It really happened between Kertajaya and Ken Arok. Kediri was also a real kingdom

and prophet Jayabaya was one of the kings of this kingdom.

Shiva

Needless to say, one of the most popular gods of India. Indonesian kingdoms at this

time were espcially influenced by Hindu.

Prajnaparamitha

She is a sacred existance in Buddhism usually represented with white and yellow

color, holding a lotus and the sacred book. Nowadays it's found in Southeast Asia,

Nepal and Tibet.

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19. Mount Bromo

This is a legend about the creation of Mount Bromo, a famous mountain in East Java,

which is so famous with the beautifulness of sun rises panorama on it's peak.

Hundred years ago, during the reign of the last king of Majapahit (13-14 century AD),

Brawijaya, one of the King's wives gave birth to a girl, Roro Anteng. Later she got

married to Joko Seger, from Brahman (priests) caste. Because of an unfortunate

situation, they were forced to leave the kingdom. They settled an area in the

mountain, named it "Tengger."

For years, they were unhappy because they didn't have a child. They climbed the peak

of the mountain, prayed to gods. Betara Bromo (God of Fire) promised them many

children, but they have to sacrifice their youngest children.

They finally got 25 children, and they had to sacrifice the youngest, Kesuma, but they

hid him. But an eruption happened and Kesuma fell into the crater. Then his voice

heard: "I have to be sacrificed so that you will all stay alive. From now on you should

arrange an annual ceremony on the 14th of Kesodo."

Kesuma's brothers and sisters held the offering ceremony every year by offering

fruits, vegetables, and rice, and meats. This has been done until today by Kejawen

sects. (The Javanese original religion that mixed with Islam.)

Child Sacrifice

As you can see in Carthage, child sacrifice was widely common in the ancient world.

Ttuth or not, it has not been reported in Japan.

Kesodo

The twelfh month of Tenggerese calendar.

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20. Kyai Jegod

13th February 1755, Dutch East India Company, Paku Buwono III alliance and Prince

Mangkubumi reached agreement to cease the war between themselves by Treaty of

Gianti. Half of Mataram Empire in the Central Java was given to Mangkubumi, half

kept by Paku Buwono. Later Mangkubumi changed his hame to Sultan

Hamengkubuwono I.

When Amangkurat IV, the grandfather of Sultan was the ruler of Mataram, he often

meditated in a nearby forest, called Garjitawati. Legend told that one day, when a

gardener was gathering grass for his cattle in the forest, he looked for some water

because it was so hot. He found a small pond and when he was going to drink some

water from it, a dragon came out of the underwater, but it was so friendly to him.

The dragon said that if Sultan wanted to build his palace, it was supposed to be

located in that forest. Then it disappeared.

Then Sultan started to build the palace in the forest. He demanded strong and old

woods and the forest where those woods lied was said to be home of genies and

spirits. His lumberjacks couldn't find anything to eat and the only things they could

have were some rice and water for three days, or sometimes they couldn't have

anything.

Then Sultan ordered that the main pole in the palace's hall had to be built from special

wood, which would give strong impression. One night, a servant who was sleeping in

the forest heard loud and deep voice. The voice introduced itself as Kyai Jegod. The

servant saw that Kyai Jegod was an old, tall, and massive tree. He said that he would

voluntarily let himself be cut to make the main pole, so that he could stay inside it

forever.

The servant told it to Sultan and Sultan let Kyai Jegod stay inside it forever, while

Kyai Jegod became the protector of the palace since then.

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21. Queen Sima

Queen Sima is believed to have been the ruler of Kalingga Kingdom in the north of

Central Java. The name "Kalingga" might have a relation with India.

It is said that Queen Sima was a very fair, just, and strong queen and her people were

extremely honest.

The news about Kalingga arrived even to China, on the age of Tang Dynasty. The

Emperor of China sent his envoys to Java to see if it's true.

In front f the envoys, Queen Sima gathered jewels and golds, then put them in a pot.

The pot was put on the main street of the town and for three months, the pot stayed

there, no one touched it.

One day, the Crown Prince accidentally kicked the pot and it fell to be crushed. The

Queen said his son was guilty and he had to be punished.

It wasn't told how the Prince was punished because this is a folktale to be told to

children.

The Chinese envoys went back to China with the proof that the story about Queens

Sima and her people was true.

QUEEN SIMA

Fair, strong "Queen Sima" reminds us of the "Queen Sheba" in South Arabia. This

story went back to the age of Tang Dinasty(7C-10C) , long after the Queen Sheba's

age, but it's possible that the story of Queen Sheba went to Indonesia throught India.

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22. Timun Mas

Long long time ago, there was a farmer couple. They were staying in a village

near a forest. They lived happily. Unfortunately, they hadn’t had any children yet.

Every day they prayed to God for a child. One day a giant passed their home.

He heard what they were praying. Then the giant gave them a cucumber seed.

"Plant this seed, then you’ll get a daughter,” said the giant. “Thank you,

Giant,” said the couple. “But in one condition, in her 17-th birthday, you must give

her to me,” said the Giant. The couple wanted a child so much that they agreed

without thinking first.

Then the couple planted the cucumber seed. Each day they took care the

growing plant so carefully. Months later, a golden cucumber grew from the plant. The

cucumber was getting heavier and bigger each day. When it was ripe, they picked it.

Carefully they cut out the cucumber and how surprised were they when they found a

beautiful baby inside. They were so happy. They named the baby Timun Mas, or

Golden Cucumber.

Years were passing by and Timun Mas had grown into a beautiful girl. Her

parents were very proud of her. But their happiness turned to fear when her 17th

birthday came. The giant returned to ask for their promise. He was going to take

Timun Mas away.

The farmer tried to be calm. “Just a moment, please. Timun Mas is playing.

My wife will call her,” he said. Then the farmer came to his daughter. “My child, take

this,” as he was giving her a little bag to Timun Mas. “This will help you from the

giant. Now, run as fast as you can,” he ordered. So Timun Mas ran away.

The couple was very sad about her leaving. But they didn’t want the giant to

eat Timun Mas. Meanwhile, the giant had been waiting for too long. He became

impatient. Somehow he knew that the couple had lied to him. So he destroyed their

house and ran for Timun Mas.

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The giant was chasing Timun Mas and he was getting closer and closer.

Timun Mas then took a handful of salt from her little bag. She spread out the salt

behind her. Suddenly a wide sea appeared between them. The giant had to swim to

reach her

Timun Mas was still running, but now the giant almost caught her. Then she

took some chilly and threw them to the giant. The chilly suddenly grew into some

trees and trapped the giant. The trees grew some thorns as sharp as a knife. The giant

screamed painfully. At the mean time, Timun Mas could escape again.

But the giant was very strong. Again he almost caught Timun Mas. So Timun

Mas took the third magic stuff, the cucumber seeds. She threw the seeds and suddenly

they became a wide cucumber field. The giant was very tired and hungry so he ate

those fresh cucumbers. He ate too much that he felt sleepy and fell asleep soon.

Timun Mas kept on running as fast as she could. But soon she was very tired

herself. To make things worse, the giant had woken up! Timun Mas was so scared.

Desperately she then threw her last weapon, terasi (a kind of shrimp pasta). IT did a

miracle again. The pasta became a big swamp. The giant fell into it but his hands

almost reached Timun Mas. Suddenly the lake pulled him to the bottom. The giant

panicked and he couldn’t breathe. At last he was drown.

Timun Mas was very relieved. She was safe now. Then she returned to her

parents’ house. Her parents were of course very happy to see their daughter safe and

sound. “Thanks God. You have saved my daughter,” they cried happily. From then

on, Timun Mas lived happily with her parents with no fear anymore.

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