Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih

In the ancient time, lived a little family. The family consists of father, mother, and a
beautiful girl named Bawang Putih. They are a harmonious and happy family despite his
father worked as an ordinary merchant. One day, the happiness in this family was lost
because the mother died. Bawang Putih was very sad because she was very fond of her
mother. Her father was also so sad because he loved his wife so much.

After Bawang Putih’s mother died, her house was visited frequently by a widow who had a
daughter named Bawang Merah. The widow often came with Bawang Merah to the Bawang
Putih’s home by bringing food, helping to clean the house, and chatting with Bawang
Putih’s father. Finally, the father thinks that he should marry the widow and made the widow
as a new mother for Bawang Putih.

He asked for consideration of the proposal to Bawang Putih. After being allowed to get
married by Bawang Putih, then her father immediately carried out the marriage. They
become a new family and lived in a house. At first, the mother and Bawang Merah’s
behaved Bawang Putih very well. However, the good behavior did not to be last long. Soon,
the Bawang Merah and her mother began to show their bad attitude. Bawang Putih was
often scolded and given heavy works when the father went to trade. She had to do a lot of
housework while the Bawang Merahs just sit and did not work at all. However, the situation
was never told by her to his father, so the Bawang Putih continued to be treated badly by
Bawang Merah’s and her mother.

One day, his father was sick and passed away. Since then, Bawang Putih was treated worse
than before. Bawang Putih almost never had a break every day. In the morning, she had to
get up in order to prepare breakfast and the water for Bawang Merah and her mother. Later,
she also gave eating to the livestock, washing clothes, and even watering the entire garden.
Although she should do so many works, she always did it happily. She hoped, with such
sincerity, her mother would love her sincerely someday.

On the morning, Bawang Putih went to the river to wash the clothes. She was so excited and
washed vigorously. Because of getting too excited, she was not aware that there was a shirt
that washed away. She realized that the shirt had been washed away when the flow carried it
far enough. Later, she pursued but did not get the shirt. She felt hopeless and immediately
went home.

The shirt was her mother's favorite. Of course, the mother was angry and told her to look for
the shirt until she could found it. Bawang Putih came back to the river and walked to the
west to seek her mother's favorite shirt. She walked along the river up to tens of kilometers.
After that, Bawang Putih suddenly saw someone who was bathing the buffalo in the river.
She asked the man about the clothes were washed away. Later, she was informed that the
shirt drifting and it was not far from where she was standing. At that moment, Bawang Putih
immediately ran down the river to find the shirt.

It was getting dark and the Bawang Putih found a home. Because of completely exhausted,
she decided to take a break in the house. Apparently, it housed an old lady who had
previously found the shirt. The old lady wanted to return the shirt to her, but she should
accompany the old lady during a week. She agreed to stay with the lady for a week. Within
a week, she made the old lady to be so happy because she was diligent and never
complained even though felt so tired.

After accompanying for a week, she was given a pumpkin as the gift. When opening it, she
was very surprised because there were so much gold and gems. She immediately went home
and told the happening to her mother and also Bawang Merah. However, the gold and
jewels that she got immediately seized and she was forced to tell where the jewelry could be
obtained. Bawang Putih immediately said that she got it from an old lady who lived near the
river.

In the next day, Bawang Merah came to that house and stayed for a week like what Bawang
Putih did. However, because Bawang Merah was a lazy girl, the old lady gave a different
pumpkin from Bawang Putih. Bawang Merah did not care and Bawang Merah immediately
went home to open the pumpkin with her mother. Apparently, the content was not gems or
gold, but the venomous snake that bit of Bawang Merah and the mother. Both of them died
because of their greed.

After the happening, Bawang Putih was living alone, but she was more calm and lived
happily with its gold and gems.
 Lutung Kasarung
Cerita rakyat from West Java

Prabu Tapa Agung had led a kingdom in West Java for a long time. He was getting old and
therefore wanted to choose a successor. But unfortunately, he had no son. He thought of
choosing one of his daughters, Purbararang and Purbasari. But it wasn’t an easy choice.
They were both very pretty and smart. The only difference was their temperament.
Purbararang was rude and dishonest, while Purbasari was kind and caring. With those
considerations, Prabu Tapa Agung finally chose Purbasari to be his successor.

Purbararang didn’t agree with her father’s decision. “It’s supposed to be me, Father. I’m the
eldest daughter!” Purbararang said. Prabu Tapa Agung smiled. “Purbararang, to be a queen
takes more than age. There are many other qualities that one must possess,” explained Prabu
Tapa Agung wisely. “What does Purbasari have that I don’t?” Purbararang pouted. “You’ll
find out when Purbasari has replaced me,” Prabu Tapa Agung answered.

After the discussion, Purbararang went back to her room. “Is there something wrong?”
asked Indrajaya. Indrajaya is Purbararang’s future husband. “I’m upset! Father chose
Purbasari as his successor and not me! I have to do something!” Purbararang said. Driven
mad by her anger, she came to a witch and asked her to send rash all over Purbasari’s body.
Before going to bed, Purbasari started to feel itch all over her body. She tried applying
powder to her body, but it’s no use. Instead, the itching grew even worse. She didn’t want to
scratch it, but she just couldn’t help it. In the next morning, there were scratch mark all over
Purbasari’s body. “What happened to you?” asked Purbararang, pretending to be concerned.
“I don’t know, sis. Last night, my body suddenly felt very itchy. I scratched and scratched,
and this is what happened,” Purbasari answered. Purbararang shook her head. “You must
have done something really awful. You’ve been punished by the gods!”
That day, the whole kingdom was scandalized. “What have you done, Purbasari?”
demanded Prabu Tapa Agung. Purbasari shook her head. “I didn’t do anything that would
upset the gods, Father,” she answered. “Then how can you explain what happened to your
body?” Prabu Tapa Agung asked again. “If you don’t confess, I’ll banish you to the woods.”
Purbasari took a deep breath. “Like I said before, I didn’t do anything wrong. And I’d rather
be thrown into the woods than to confess to a deed I didn’t commit.”

After a short discussion with his advisor, Prabu Tapa Agung ordered Purbasari to be moved
to the woods. Purbasari was very sad, but she couldn’t do anything to defy her father’s
order. She was accompanied to the woods by a messenger. He built a simple hut for
Purbasari. After the messenger left, suddenly a black monkey came to Purbasari’s hut. He
carried a bunch of bananas. From behind him, some animals looked on. “Are the bananas
for me?’ Purbasari asked. The black monkey nodded, as if he understood what Purbasari
said. Purbasari took the bananas with pleasure. She also said thanks. The other animals that
were looking on also seemed to smile. “Are you willing to be my friend?” Purbasari asked
them. All the animals nodded happily. Although she was living by herself in the woods,
Purbasari never lacked of supplies. Everyday, there were always animals bringing her fruits
and fish to eat.

A long time had passed since Purbasari was banished to the woods, but her body still itched.
At some places, her skin was even ulcerating. What am I supposed to do?” Purbasari sighed.
The monkey who was sitting next to her stayed still, there were tears in his eyes. He hoped
Purbasari would remain patient and strong.

One night, on a full moon, the monkey took Purbasari to a valley. There is a pond with hot
spring water. The monkey suddenly spoke, “The water of this pond will heal your skin,” he
said. Purbasari was surprised, ”You can talk? Who are you?” she asked. “You’ll find out, in
time,” the monkey said. Purbasari didn’t want to force the monkey. She then walked to the
pond. She bathed there. After a few hours, Purbasari walked out of the pond. She was
shocked to see her face reflected on the clear pond water. Her face was beautiful again, with
smooth and clean skin. Purbasari observed her entire body. There were no traces of any skin
ailments. “I’m cured! I’m cured!” Purbasari shouted in joy. She quickly offered thanks to
the gods and also to the monkey.

The news of Purbasari’s condition quickly spread to the kingdom, irritating Purbararang.
She then accompanied by Indrajaya go to the woods to see Purbasari. Purbasari asked if she
would be allowed to go home. Purbararang said she would let Purbasari return to the palace
if Purbasari’s hair were longer than hers. Purbararang then let her hair down. It was so long,
it almost touched the ground. But it turned out that Purbasari’s hair was twice longer than
Purbararang’s hair.
“Fine, so your hair is longer than mine.” Purbararang admitted. “But there is one more
condition you must fulfill, do you have a future husband who is handsomer than mine?” said
Purbararang as she walked toward Indrajaya. Purbasari felt miserable. She didn’t have a
future husband yet. So, without much thought, she pulled the black monkey beside her.

Purbararang and Indrajaya burst out, but their laughter didn’t last long. The monkey
meditates and suddenly transformed into a very handsome young man, a lot more handsome
than Indrajaya. “I’m a prince from a kingdom far away. I was cursed to be a monkey
because of a mistake I committed. I could regain my true form only if there’s a girl who
would be willing to be my wife,” said the young man.

Finally, Purbararang gave up. She accepted Purbasari as the queen, and also confessed
everything she had done. “Please forgive me. Please don’t punish me,” Purbararang said,
asking for forgiveness. Instead of being angry, Purbasari smiled. “I forgive you, sis,” she
said. Soon after, Purbasari become queen. Beside her was the handsome prince, the former
monkey known as Lutung Kasarung.
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.

\
The Legend of Malin Kundang

A long time ago, in a small village near the beach in West Sumatra, a woman and her son
lived. They were Malin Kundang and her mother. Her mother was a single parent because
Malin Kundang's father had passed away when he was a baby. Malin Kundang had to live
hard with his mother.

Malin Kundang was a healthy, dilligent, and strong boy. He usually went to sea to catch
fish. After getting fish he would bring it to his mother, or sold the caught fish in the town.
One day, when Malin Kundang was sailing, he saw a merchant's ship which was being
raided by a small band of pirates. He helped the merchant. With his brave and power, Malin
Kundang defeated the pirates.

The merchant was so happy and thanked to him. In return the merchant asked Malin
Kundang to sail with him. To get a better life, Malin Kundang agreed. He left his mother
alone. Many years later, Malin Kundang became wealthy. He had a huge ship and was
helped by many ship crews loading trading goods. Perfectly he had a beautiful wife too.
When he was sailing his trading journey, his ship landed on a beach near a small village.
The villagers recognized him. The news ran fast in the town; “Malin Kundang has become
rich and now he is here”. An old woman ran to the beach to meet the new rich merchant.
She was Malin Kundang’s mother.

She wanted to hug him, released her sadness of being lonely after so long time.
Unfortunately, when the mother came, Malin Kundang who was in front of his well dressed
wife and his ship crews denied meeting that old lonely woman. For three times her mother
begged Malin Kundang and for three times he yelled at her. At last Malin Kundang said to
her "Enough, old woman! I have never had a mother like you, a dirty and ugly woman!"
After that he ordered his crews to set sail. He would leave the old mother again but in that
time she was full of both sadness and angriness. Finally, enraged, she cursed Malin
Kundang that he would turn into a stone if he didn't apologize. Malin Kundang just laughed
and really set sail.

In the quiet sea, suddenly a thunderstorm came. His huge ship was wrecked and it was too
late for Malin Kundang to apologize. He was thrown by the wave out of his ship. He fell on
a small island. It was really too late for him to avoid his curse. Suddenly,
he turned into a stone.
Cindelaras
Cerita rakyat from East Java
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.