This is a fairy tale of Timun Mas, an Indonesian folk legend from Central Java. A fairly interesting and very famous story, presented in a simple script that is easy for children to understand. Because when I was in elementary school, this story was in my Indonesian language textbook. So here, I will try to write this story again. Of course with my own way and characteristic of storytelling.
Once upon a time, there was a poor widow who lived alone on the edge of the forest. Because of her increasing age, the widow found it increasingly difficult to do her work. Because she had to do it herself. From farming and looking for firewood in the forest to sell. The widow often pondered her fate every night. Complaining about the life she lived.
One night, the poor widow reflected again as usual. "If only I had a child, my life would not be this difficult. There would be someone to help with all my work, and take care of me when I am old later". The widow complained.
It turned out that all her complaints were heard by the green giant who ruled the forest named Buto Ijo. Buto Ijo accidentally passed the poor widow's house while hunting deer for his prey.
"Hahaha.. Maybe I can help to make your wish come true..". Buto Ijo said while looking out the window.
Hearing a thunderous voice made the widow shocked and awake from her daydream. What's more after she saw a scary figure peeking out the window, making the widow almost faint from fear.
"Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you. So far I have often watched you, I often hear all your complaints. And this time I have come to make your wish come true.. I can give you a child". Buto Ijo said.
"Is that true..?". The widow's face was now shining with joy. Her fear had now disappeared, swallowed by her happiness.
"Of course it's true.. I am the king of the giants who rule this forest, I can't possibly lie to you". Buto Ijo said convincingly.
"Then.. How can I have a child?". Asked the widow.
"A long time ago before I and my people were expelled from the kingdom of heaven, I had time to steal a magical cucumber seed. If you plant this seed and take care of it, then it will grow and can make what you ask for come true. If you ask for gold, then it will bear golden fruit. If you ask for wealth, then the fruit will contain diamonds and gems. And likewise if you ask for a child, then the fruit will contain a baby". Buto Ijo explained.
"Then, quickly give me the seed. I will plant it immediately..!!". The widow asked enthusiastically.
"But there is a condition..".
"What is the condition? I will definitely fulfill everything". The widow was getting impatient.
"If the child who is born is a boy, then he will be completely yours. But when the child who is born is a girl, then you must give her to me to eat. Do you agree? Hahaha..". Buto Ijo's laughter boomed throughout the forest. Hearing the conditions proposed by Buto Ijo, the widow pondered for a moment. But because her desire to have a child was very strong, she finally agreed.
Finally, the magical Golden Cucumber seeds were given. And the next day, the widow immediately planted them. She took care of the plant every day, until finally the plant bore fruit. But how surprised she was, when a baby girl was born. She became very sad because she remembered her promise to the giant Buto Ijo. That night Buto Ijo came to see the widow, after he found out that a daughter was born, Buto Ijo intended to take the baby. But the widow asked for a few years' grace so that she could take care of the baby. She argued that the baby was still too small, and would not be satisfying to eat. So when she had grown bigger, she would be handed over to Buto Ijo.
Buto Ijo accepted the woman's offer. And time continued to pass after the incident that night. Every five years, Buto Ijo came to ask for the girl. But the widow always asked for a grace period with the same reason. Without realizing it, 20 years had passed. Timun Mas grew into a beautiful, diligent, kind and cheerful girl. So that the presence of the golden cucumber filled the widow's life with happiness. Until one day, Buto Ijo came back to collect on his promise.
"Hey human.. Now I come here again to collect on your promise. Quickly hand over the child to me..!! My patience is running out..!!". Buto Ijo said angrily.
"Give me a little more time. He is still thin. Wait until he is fat". The widow asked.
"I can't.. My patience is running out. I will come in a week, and he must be ready". Buto Ijo said as he left holding back his anger.
Meanwhile, Timun Mas was in the forest to pick her favorite jasmine flowers. When she was busy picking flowers, suddenly an old grandfather in a white robe met her. It turned out that the grandfather was the King of the sky country. He told all the stories of Timun Emas to Timun Emas. And also told the sadness experienced by his mother because of her promise to the Giant Buto Ijo. And finally the old grandfather gave a small package to Timun Emas.
"Inside contains a thorn, a handful of salt, and shrimp paste. Use it wisely to save yourself when Buto Ijo chases you". The grandfather's message then disappeared. Timun Mas remembered all the messages from the grandfather well. And after arriving home, she told her mother all the events that happened to her. Of course the mother was shocked. But Timun Emas calmed her mother's heart, and she was sure that she would be fine. (read children's fairy tales only at ceritaterbaru.blogspot.com)
And the one week was finally over. The Giant Buto Ijo came back to collect on his promise. But how angry he was when he found the widow's hut empty and uninhabited. Because Timun Mas had taken her mother to hide in a cave and he himself ran towards the mountain to keep Buto Ijo away from his mother. Seeing the empty hut, Buto Ijo used his supernatural powers to find out where Timun Emas was. And finally he found her. Buto Ijo immediately used all his supernatural powers to chase Timun Emas.
In a short time, he could see Timun Mas running in the distance. Seeing the giant Buto Ijo who was suddenly behind him in the distance, Timun Emas was shocked. He panicked and a feeling of fear began to come over him. However, he began to remember the message from the old grandfather he met in the forest. Timun Emas immediately opened the package he was carrying. He took a thorn and threw it towards Buto Ijo. It was truly magical..!! When the thorn touched the ground, the surrounding area immediately turned into a forest full of thorny trees and plants. Of course this made it difficult for Buto Ijo. Because he was hampered by sharp thorns that made his whole body injured.
But Buto Ijo was not just any giant. He had high magical powers so that he was appointed as the king of the giants. And with the knowledge he had, finally Buto Ijo was able to pass through the thorn forest. Even though his body was full of wounds and scratches, he remained determined to chase Timun Mas.
"Timun Mas, you won't be able to run away from me.. Grrrr.. !!". Buto Ijo shouted while growling.
Seeing that his first attempt failed, Timun Emas opened the package he was carrying again. This time he took a handful of salt and threw it. And the miracle happened again, the area turned into a vast sea. So now the distance between Timun Emas and Buto Ijo was separated by the ocean. Of course that confused Buto Ijo. And Timun Emas did not waste that opportunity to run again.
But Buto Ijo did not give up. He read the spell again and took out his magical powers. He then swam across the magical sea. His wound was now even more sore from being exposed to the salty seawater. But it turned out that this did not dampen his determination, instead his emotions and anger grew. And finally with great difficulty, Buto Ijo managed to cross the magical sea. And after Buto Ijo crossed it, the sea disappeared without a trace.
"You make me even angrier.. Just see if you get caught later, I will crush you until nothing is left.. Aaaarrrggg.. !!". Buto Ijo's anger was increasingly overflowing uncontrollably. Seeing his second attempt fail again, Timun Mas was a little worried. Because now he only had one thing left, namely shrimp paste. If it turned out that this last attempt also failed, then he had resigned himself to his fate.
But again Timun Mas strengthened his heart. He was sure that God would definitely provide a way out and help him. With full confidence he threw the shrimp paste, and again a miraculous thing happened. The entire area turned into a sea of mud. Which could suck and drown anything on top of it. This time Buto Ijo was not too surprised by the incident. Because it was the third miracle he had seen in one day, he was no longer surprised. He had been able to get through two obstacles with his supernatural powers. And that made Buto Ijo confident in his supernatural powers and abilities. He was sure that with the supernatural powers he had, he could get through this third obstacle easily.
But all beyond his expectations, he had made a fatal mistake. It turned out that the sea of mud had a very strong suction power. When Buto Ijo reached the middle of the sea of mud, he could no longer survive and finally drowned in the sea of mud. So Buto Ijo died in that place.
After the death of Buto Ijo, Timun Mas returned to his home with his mother. Now their lives are more peaceful. Until one day, there was a prince hunting in the forest. Accidentally he met Timun Emas who was picking jasmine flowers. Seeing her beauty and kindness, the prince fell in love. Until finally Timun Emas was made his wife and taken to the palace with her mother, and they lived happily until the end of their lives.
Direction: Fill in the blanks with the correct answer!
- The story of Timun Mas originates from __________, Indonesia.
- The widow who longed for a child was named __________.
- Mbok Srini's wish for a child was granted by a giant named __________.
- The giant gave Mbok Srini a __________ seed to plant.
- The condition set by the giant was that if the child was a girl, she must be __________ to him.
- From the golden cucumber, Mbok Srini found a baby girl whom she named __________.
- Timun Mas grew up to be a __________, kind, and diligent girl.
- As Timun Mas matured, the giant returned to __________ her.
- To protect her daughter, Mbok Srini sought help from a __________.
- The rishi provided Mbok Srini with four magical items: cucumber seeds, needles, salt, and __________.
- When the giant chased Timun Mas, she first threw __________ seeds behind her.
- The cucumber seeds grew into vines that __________ the giant.
- Next, Timun Mas threw needles, which transformed into a __________ forest.
- The sharp bamboo forest __________ the giant, slowing him down.
- Timun Mas then used salt, which created a vast __________.
- The giant swam across the sea but continued to __________ Timun Mas.
- As a final measure, Timun Mas threw __________, which became a swamp.
- The swamp of boiling mud caused the giant to __________.
- After defeating the giant, Timun Mas returned to __________.
- The story teaches the value of __________ and cleverness in overcoming challenges.
- Mbok Srini's deep desire for a child led her to make a deal with a __________.
- Timun Mas's journey symbolizes the struggle between good and __________.
- The magical items given by the rishi were meant to be used when Timun Mas was being __________.
- The legend of Timun Mas is often told to emphasize the importance of __________.
- In the end, Timun Mas and Mbok Srini lived __________ ever after.
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