The Legend of Kamandaka in Goa Jatijajar

The Legend of Kamandaka (Javan Kasarung) in Goa Jatijajar
 

In West Java in ancient times there was a great Hindu kingdom and strong enough, which is based in the city of Bogor. Kingdom is the Kingdom "Pajajaran", at that time the reigning king of King Siliwangi. He is old and was intended to lift his oldest son as his successor.
Prabu Siliwangi have three sons and one daughter from two Empress, consort of the first, had two sons ie: Lots and Lots Cotro Ngampar. But when Cotro and Much Much Ngampar young mother has died.
Then Prabu Siliwangi eventually married again with a second consort, namely Kumudaningsih. At the time taken to become Empress Goddess Kumuudangingsih by King Siliwangi, he entered into an agreement, that if one day he had a son of man, then that must meggantikan putranyalah became king in Pajajaran.

From his marriage with Goddess Kumudaningsih, King Silliwangi have a son and a daughter, namely: Many Blabur and Goddess Pamungkas.

One day King Siliwangi called his oldest son, and Much Much Cotro Blabur to face, the point is Siliwangi King shall appoint his son to replace a prince because he had lajut Pajajaran age.

But from the second crown prince no one would be appointed to be king in Pajajaran. As his eldest son Many Clark filed a number of reasons, among others, the reason is:
• To order the Kingdom he's not ready, because not enough science.
• To order the kingdom of a king should be there with her Consort who, while Many Cotro unmarried.

Many Cotro said that he had just married when he met with a daughter who was her face like her mother. Therefore Cotro Many requested permission to leave the kingdom Pajajaran mencaari daughter who became his dreams ..
Many Cotro departure from the Kingdom Pajajaran through thermodynamics Boat, to appear before a priest and held there. The priest is Ki Subjects Winarong, magic and know a pastor to marry the daughter of the craving-idamkannya can be achieved.
However there are several requirements that must be performed and fulfilled by many Cotro, which should remove all clothing and menaggalkan greatness of the kingdom with the only wear ordinary clothes. And he must be disguised under the pseudonym "Raden Kamandaka"
Raden Kamandaka After walking for days from Tangkuban boat toward the East, so I will Raden Kamandaka kewilayah Sand Luhur Duchy.

Coincidentally Raden Kamandaka until Luhur Sand, Sand betemu with Patih Duchy of Patih Reksonoto Luhur. Because the old Reksonoto Patih not mempuunyai children, then finally made Radenn Kamandaka foster child Patih Reksonoto feel very proud and happy to have her son Prince Kamandaka Lift the gallant and handsome, then Patih Reksonoto saangat loved him.
As for who ordered the Duchy of Sand Luhur was "Adi Pati Kanandoho". He has a daughter and a few people already married except the youngest who is a virgin goddess Ciptoroso. Ciptoroso Goddess is a daughter who has a similar face raden Kamandaka Mother, and Princess is being searched for yng oeh Kamandaka Raden.
A habit of the Duchy of Sand Luhur that every year held a ceremony to catch fish at times Logawa. At this ceremony all the family and the Duchy of Sand Luhur pejabatan government authorities and also catch fish at times Logawa.
In the time following the ceremony Patih Reksonoto go fishing at times Logawa, without knowing Raden Kamandaka secretly had followed her from behind. On this occasion Raden Kamandaka can meet with Dewi Ciptoroso, and they both fell in love.
At the request of the Goddess Ciptoroso to Raden Kamandaka at night to come see the goddess in the park Kaputren Ciptoroso Duchy Sand Goddess Ciptoroso Luhur place is located. It is true that evening Raden Kamandaka quietly without permission Resonoto governor, he went to meet Goddess Ciptoroso already miss waiting for the arrival of Raden Kamandaka.
But the existence in the Garden of Raden Kamandaka Kaputren Joint Goddess Ciptoroso not last long. Because suddenly the guardian soldiers know that in daalam Kaputren adaa thief entering the park. This was then later reported by Adipatih Kandandoho.

Responding to the report, then Adipatih very angry and ordered peencuri praajuritnya to catch them. Because the miracle of science dexterity distinction owned by Raden Kamandaka, then Raden Kamandaka can escape from the cordon of soldiers Sand Luhur.

Before Raden Kamandaka escaped daari Kaputren Park, he could say his identity. That he named the son of Raden Kamandaka Patih Reksonoto.
Case in hearing olehh inii soldiers, and to report to Adipatih Kandandoohho. Hearing this Patih Reksonoto innii then was summoned, and must surrender his son. Was conducted by Patih Perintaah Reksonoto, although in his heart is very heavy. Sehimgga with daari Patih Reksonoto ploy, it can run difference Kamandaka Raden daaripengejaran the soldiers survived.
Raden Kamandaka waterfall dive into the river and follow the flow of river water. By Patih Reksonoto, and the soldiers who pursue,, dilapoprkan that Raden Kamandaka dead inside sugai said. Hearing this news Adipatih Kandandoho felt relieved and satisfied. Nmun contrary Ciptoroso Goddess who, after hearing the news was very grim and sad.
Raden Kamandaka dive along with the flow of the river to face with a man fishing in a river. The person named Rekajaya, Raden Kamandaka Rekajaya difference then good friends and settled in the village Panagih. In this village adopted by Raden Kamandaka Kektosuro Mbok, a poor widow in the village tersebbut.

Raden Kamandaka a cockfighting enthusiast. Incidentally Mbok Reksonoto have a rooster named "Light". On each chicken Raden penyabungan Kamandaka always win in the match, then Raden Kamandaka became very famous as botoh chicken.
This empire spread saampai Sand Luhur, hear this Adipatih Kandadoho become angry and furious. He ordered his soldiers to live or die menagkap Kamandaka Raden.
At that moment, suddenly there came a handsome young man admitted that he named "Silihwarni" who will devote themselves to the Sand Luhur, so he accepted his petition, but as long as he should be able to kill Raden Kamandaka. To prove it he must take the blood and liver Kamandaka Raden.
Actually Silihwarni is a pseudonym. The name is actually a lot of kejajaan Pajajaran Ngampar Son, namely the younger brother of Prince Kamandaka.
He by her father, King Siliwangi assigned to search for siblings who have long gone yet again. To overcome the interference in the way, he supplied heirloom kris Kujang Pamungkas as a weapon. And he also disguised with Silihwarni name, and dress like ordinary people.
Because he heard the news that the brother was in the Duchy Luhur Sand, so he went there. After receiving the order daari Silihwarni Adipatih, he went with some soldiers and followed dogs to the village of Karang Luas, where penyabungan chicken.
This is the place they met. However, both of whom are not familiar anymore. Silihwari raknyat dressed as usual while Raden Kamandaka botoh dressed as chickens, and his face pale with suppressed kernduan to her lover.
Tempers persabungan Raden Kamandaka and Silihwarni epilepsy, with the unwitting by raden kamandaka Silihwrni suddenly stabbed with a dagger waist Raden Kamandaka Pamungkasnya Kujang. Because these cuts keris darahpun out by torrential. However, due to Raden Kamandaka dexterity, can escape the danger he himself is and where he can escape the village was named Brobosan, which means he can escape from danger.
Because the wound bleed more profusely, they also rest a little land somewhere, then it is called Bancran. Raden flight Kamandaka Silihwarni and continue to be pursued by soldiers. At one place a dog can catch Raden Kamandaka tracer and then place it on him the name of the village of Karang Dogs.
Raden Kamandaka kept running towards the east and arrived at an impasse, and this place he gave the village a dead end. Raden Kamandaka eventually came disebuah Goa. In this cave he was hiding from the pursuit of rest and Silihwarni. Silihwarni are constantly chasing after the cave until he lost track. Then Silihwarnipun from the mouth of the cave called Raden Kamandaka challenging.
After hearing tantagan Silihwarni, Raden Kamandaka replied he says his identity, that he was the son of the royal Cotro Many Pajajaran name.
After her identity was Silihwarnipun said that he was also the son of the Kingdom of Pajajaran, named Many Ngampar. Thus the words of recognition between Raden Kamandaka Ayang and Silihwarni that they are purta Pajajaran, then the person who hears the name of the second version, for those jatijajar cave. Then they both berpeluka and forgive each other.
However, because Silihwarni should bring proof of Raden Kamandaka liver and blood, hence the cut at last taken the dog tracking blood and heart. It is said that it was the heart and blood Kamandaka Raden had killed.
Raden Kamandaka then meditated in the cave and got a clue, that his intention to marry Dewi Ciptoroso would be achieved if he had received clothing "monkey" and he was told to get closer to the Duchy of Sand Luhur, That Agung Batur settled in the forest, southwest of the rock Raden.
A favorite of Sand Adipatih Luhur is hunting. On a day of hunting Adipatih and all his family, suddenly come face to face with a huge monkey and tame. The monkey is finally on the catch alive.

As will be brought home, it suddenly came Rekajaya admitted that it was a pet monkey, and told beredia help care for her if the monkeys would be maintained in the Duchy. And the request was granted.
Having reached the duchy the daughter fought to maintain these monkeys. During the Duchy of these monkeys will not be given to eat. Therefore ultimately by the langur Adipatih disayembarakan seoraang ie if there is one from his daughter can feed the monkeys and accepted by then he was the one who will maintain these monkeys.
It turns out the food received by the monkeys are only food of the goddess Ciporoso, the "monkey Kasarung" became domesticated goddess Ciptoroso. At night it transformed into a monkey Kamandaka Raden. So that only the Goddess Ciptoroso who know about it. By day she changed into monkeys anymore. So the situation is now very happy Goddess and happy, which is always accompanied Kasarung langur.

Once on a day of Nusa Kambangan raden Discuss King Pule told patih to woo Duchy Youngest Daughter Goddess Sand Luhur pinangannya Ciptoroso and threatened when he refused to destroy the Duchy of Sand Luhur.

At the suggestion and request of the monkey king Pule Kasarung Discuss the proposal in order to receive it. But there are some requirements that haarus Discuss Pule met by the king. One is a wedding later in the meeting should also accompany the Javan Kasarung Ciporoso Goddess.

At the time the meeting lasted bride, King Pule Discuss Kasarung always disturbed by the monkey who always accompany the Goddess Ciptoroso. Therefore the king was angry and beat Pule Discuss Kasarung monkey. However Lutung Kasarung been ready to fight against King Pule Discuss.
Discuss with the battle of King Javan Kasarung Pule happen very exciting. But because of his supernatural powers of Luung Kasarung, eventually King Pule Discuss fall strangled and bitten by a monkey Kasarung.

When King Pule Discuss the Javan Kasarung fall instantly transformed into Raden Kamandaka, and oversized clothes directly mengenkan Kejajaan Pajajaran and confess his name Many Cotro. Now Adipatih Sand Luhur knows the truth is Kamandaka and Raden Raden Kamandaka is Cotro and Much Much Lutung Kasarung Cotro is the crown prince of the kingdom Pajajaran. And finally she mated with the Goddess Ciptoroso.

But because Raden Kamandaka already disabled at the time of cockfighting with taxable Silihwarni kris Kujang Pamungkas then Raden Kamandaka can not substitute for a prince Pajajaran.

Because Pajajaran royal tradition, that will replace the crown prince who became king should not be handicapped because Kujang Pamungkas heritage. So after he was married to the Goddess Ciptoroso, Raden Kamandaka can only be in the Sand Luhur Adipatih Replacing in-law. While those who became king in Pajajaran is a lot Blabur

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The Little Red Hen

THE LITTLE RED HEN

Following is the story telling for your little brother or your children.
   The little Red Hen was in the farmyard with her chickens, when she found a grain of wheat.

   ``Who will plant this wheat?'' she said.

   ``Not I,'' said the Goose.

   ``Not I,'' said the Duck.

   ``I will, then,'' said the little Red Hen, and she planted the grain of wheat.

   When the wheat was ripe she said, ``Who will take this wheat to the mill?''

   ``Not I,'' said the Goose.

   ``Not I,'' said the Duck.

   ``I will, then,'' said the little Red Hen, and she took the wheat to the mill.

   When she brought the flour home she said, ``Who will make some bread with this flour?''

   ``Not I,'' said the Goose.

   ``Not I,'' said the Duck.

   ``I will, then,'' said the little Red Hen

   When the bread was baked, she said, ``Who will eat this bread?''

   ``I will,'' said the Goose

   ``I will,'' said the Duck

   ``No, you won't,'' said the little Red Hen. ``I shall eat it myself. Cluck! cluck!'' And she called her chickens to help her.

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The Cloud

THE CLOUD

Adapted from the German of Robert Reinick's Mäarchen, Lieder-und Geschichtenbuch 

(Velhagen und Klasing, Bielefeld and Leipsic).

Here is the story for your children or your little brother or sister.

   One hot summer morning a little Cloud rose out of the sea and floated lightly and happily across the blue sky. Far below lay the earth, brown, dry, and desolate, from drouth. The little Cloud could see the poor people of the earth working and suffering in the hot fields, while she herself floated on the morning breeze, hither and thither, without a care.

   ``Oh, if I could only help the poor people down there!'' she thought. ``If I could but make their work easier, or give the hungry ones food, or the thirsty a drink!''

   And as the day passed, and the Cloud became larger, this wish to do something for the people of earth was ever greater in her heart.

   On earth it grew hotter and hotter; the sun burned down so fiercely that the people were fainting in its rays; it seemed as if they must die of heat, and yet they were obliged to go on with their work, for they were very poor. Sometimes they stood and looked up at the Cloud, as if they were praying, and saying,

   ``Ah, if you could help us!''

   ``I will help you; I will!'' said the Cloud. And she began to sink softly down toward the earth.

   But suddenly, as she floated down, she remembered something which had been told her when she was a tiny Cloud-child, in the lap of Mother Ocean: it had been whispered that if the Clouds go too near the earth they die.

When she remembered this she held herself from sinking, and swayed here and there on the breeze, thinking, -- thinking. But at last she stood quite still, and spoke boldly and proudly. She said,

   ``Men of earth, I will help you, come what may!''

   The thought made her suddenly marvelously big and strong and powerful. Never had she dreamed that she could be so big. Like a mighty angel of blessing she stood above the earth, and lifted her head and spread her wings far over the fields and woods. She was so great, so majestic, that men and animals were awe-struck at the sight; the trees and the grasses bowed before her; yet all the earth-creatures felt that she meant them well.

   ``Yes, I will help you,'' cried the Cloud once more. ``Take me to yourselves; I will give my life for you!''

   As she said the words a wonderful light glowed from her heart, the sound of thunder rolled through the sky, and a love greater than words can tell filled the Cloud; down, down, close to the earth she swept, and gave up her life in a blessed, healing shower of rain.

   That rain was the Cloud's great deed; it was her death, too; but it was also her glory. Over the whole country-side, as far as the rain fell, a lovely rainbow sprang its arch, and all the brightest rays of heaven made its colors; it was the last greeting of a love so great that it sacrificed itself.

   Soon that, too, was gone, but long, long afterward the men and animals who were saved by the Cloud kept her blessing in their hearts.

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The Little Pink Rose

The Story of The Little Pink Rose

   Once upon a time, there was a little pink Rosebud, and she lived down in a little dark house under the ground. One day she was sitting there, all by herself, and it was very still. Suddenly, she heard a little tap, tap, tap, at the door.

   ``Who is that?'' she said.

   ``It's the Rain, and I want to come in;'' said a soft, sad, little voice.

   ``No, you can't come in,'' the little Rosebud said.

   By and by she heard another little tap, tap, tap on the window pane.

   ``Who is there?'' she said.

   The same soft little voice answered, ``It's the Rain, and I want to come in!''

   ``No, you can't come in,'' said the little Rosebud.

   Then it was very still for a long time. At last, there came a little rustling, whispering sound, all round the window: rustle, whisper, whisper.

   ``Who is there?'' said the little Rosebud.

   ``It's the Sunshine,'' said a little, soft, cheery voice, ``and I want to come in!''

   ``N -- no,'' said the little pink rose, ``you can't come in.'' And she sat still again.

   Pretty soon she heard the sweet little rustling noise at the key-hole.

   ``Who is there?'' she said.

   ``It's the Sunshine,'' said the cheery little voice, ``and I want to come in, I want to come in!''

   ``No, no,'' said the little pink rose, ``you cannot come in.''

   By and by, as she sat so still, she heard tap, tap, tap, and rustle, whisper, rustle, all up and down the window pane, and on the door, and at the key-hole.

   ``Who is there?'' she said.

   ``It's the Rain and the Sun, the Rain and the Sun,'' said two little voices, together, ``and we want to come in! We want to come in! We want to come in!''

   ``Dear, dear!'' said the little Rosebud, ``if there are two of you, I s'pose I shall have to let you in.''

   So she opened the door a little wee crack, and in they came. And one took one of her little hands, and the other took her other little hand, and they ran, ran, ran with her, right up to the top of the ground. Then they said, --

   ``Poke your head through!''

   So she poked her head through; and she was in the midst of a beautiful garden.

It was springtime, and all the other flowers had their heads poked through; and she was the prettiest little pink rose in the whole garden!

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The Story of How the Tiger Got His Stripes

The Story of How the Tiger Got His Stripes
A Folktale from America

Once upon a time, ages and ages ago, so long ago that the tiger had no stripes upon his back and the rabbit still had his tail, there was a tiger who had a farm. The farm was very much overgrown with underbrush and the owner sought a workman to clear the ground for him to plant.

The tiger called all the beasts together and said to them when they had assembled,

"I need a good workman at once to clear my farm of the underbrush. To the one of you who will do this work I offer an ox in payment."

The monkey was the first one to step forward and apply for the position. The tiger tried him for a little while but he was not a good workman at all. He did not work steadily enough to accomplish anything. The tiger discharged him very soon and he did not pay him.

Then the tiger hired the goat to do the work. The goat worked faithfully enough but he did not have the brains to do the work well. He would clear a little of the farm in one place and then he would go away and work on another part of it. He never finished anything neatly. The tiger discharged him very soon without paying him.

Next the tiger tried the armadillo. The armadillo was very strong and he did the work well. The trouble with him was that he had such an appetite. There were a great many ants about the place and the armadillo could never pass by a sweet tender juicy ant without stopping to eat it. It was lunch time all day long with him. The tiger discharged him and sent him away without paying him anything.

At last the rabbit applied for the position. The tiger laughed at him and said,

"Why, little rabbit, you are too small to do the work. The monkey, the goat, and the armadillo have all failed to give satisfaction. Of course a little beast like you will fail too."

However, there were no other beasts who applied for the position so the tiger sent for the rabbit and told him that he would try him for a little while.

The rabbit worked faithfully and well, and soon he had cleared a large portion of the ground. The next day he worked just as well. The tiger thought that he had been very lucky to hire the rabbit. He got tired staying around to watch the rabbit work. The rabbit seemed to know just how to do the work anyway, without orders, so the tiger decided to go away on a hunting trip. He left his son to watch the rabbit.

After the tiger had gone away the rabbit said to the tiger's son,

"The ox which your father is going to give me is marked with a white spot on his left ear and another on his right side, isn't he?"

"O, no," replied the tiger's son. "He is red all over with just a tiny white spot on his right ear."

The rabbit worked for a while longer and then he said,

"The ox which your father is going to give me is kept by the river, isn't he?"

"Yes," replied the tiger's son.

The rabbit had made a plan to go and get the ox without waiting to finish his work. Just as he started off he saw the tiger returning. The tiger noticed that the rabbit had not worked so well when he was away. After that he stayed and watched the rabbit until the whole farm was cleared. Then the tiger gave the rabbit the ox as he had promised.

"You must kill this ox," he said to the rabbit, "in a place where there are neither flies nor mosquitoes."

The rabbit went away with the ox. After he had gone for some distance he thought he would kill him. He heard a cock, however, crowing in the distance and he knew that there must be a farm yard near. There would be flies of course. He went on farther and again he thought that he would kill the ox. The ground looked moist and damp and so did the leaves on the bushes.

Since the rabbit thought there would be mosquitoes there he decided not to kill the ox. He went on and on and finally he came to a high place where there was a strong breeze blowing.

"There are no mosquitoes here," he said to himself.

"The place is so far removed from any habitation that there are no flies, either." He decided to kill the ox.

Just as he was ready to eat the ox, along came the tiger.

"O, rabbit, you have been such a good friend of mine," said the tiger, "and now I am so very, very hungry that all my ribs show, as you yourself can see. Will you not be a good kind rabbit and give me a piece of your ox?"

The rabbit gave the tiger a piece of the ox. The tiger devoured it in the twinkling of an eye. Then he leaned back and said,

"Is that all you are going to give me to eat?"

The tiger looked so big and savage that the rabbit did not dare refuse to give him any more of the ox. The tiger ate and ate and ate until he had devoured that entire ox. The rabbit had been able to get only a tiny morsel of it. He was very, very angry at the tiger.

One day not long after the rabbit went to a place not far from the tiger's house and began cutting down big staves of wood. The tiger soon happened along and asked him what he was doing.

"I'm getting ready to build a stockade around myself," replied the rabbit. "Haven't you heard the orders?" The tiger said that he hadn't heard any orders.

"That is very strange," said the rabbit. "The order has gone forth that every beast shall fortify himself by building a stockade around himself. All the beasts are doing it."

The tiger became very much alarmed.

"O, dear! O, dear! What shall I do," he cried. "I don't know how to build a stockade. I never could do it in the world. O, good rabbit! O, kind rabbit! You are such, a very good friend of mine. Couldn't you, as a great favour, because of our long friendship, build a stockade about me before you build one around yourself?"

The rabbit replied that he could not think of risking his own life by building the tiger's fortifications first. Finally, however, he consented to do it.

The rabbit cut down great quantities of long sharp sticks. He set them firmly in the ground about the tiger. He fastened others securely over the top until the tiger was completely shut in by strong bars. Then he went away and left the tiger.

The tiger waited and waited for something to happen to show him the need of the fortifications. Nothing at all happened.

He got very hungry and thirsty. After a while the monkey passed that way.

The tiger called out,

"O, monkey, has the danger passed?"

The monkey did not know what danger the tiger meant, but he replied,

"Yes."

Then the tiger said,

"O, monkey, O, good, kind monkey, will you not please be so kind as to help me out of my stockade?"

"Let the one who got you in there help you out," replied the monkey and he went on his way.

Along came the goat and the tiger called out,

"O, goat, has the danger passed?"

The goat did not know anything about any danger, but he replied,

"Yes."

Then the tiger said,

"O, goat, O, good kind goat, please be so kind as to help me out of my stockade."

"Let the one who got you in there help you out," replied the goat as he went on his way.

Along came the armadillo and the tiger called out,

"O, armadillo, has the danger passed?"

The armadillo had not heard of any danger, but he replied that it had passed.

Then the tiger said,

"O, armadillo, O, good, kind armadillo, you have always been such a good friend and neighbour. Please help me now to get out of my stockade."

"Let the one who got you in there help you out," replied the armadillo as he went on his way.

The tiger jumped and jumped with all his force at the top of the stockade, but he could not break through. He jumped and jumped with all his might at the front side of the stockade, but he could not break through.

He thought that never in the world would he be able to break out. He rested for a little while and as he rested he thought. He thought how bright the sun was shining outside.

He thought what good hunting there was in the jungle. He thought how cool the water was at the spring. Once more he jumped and jumped with all his might at the back side of the stockade.

At last he broke through. He did not get through, however, without getting bad cuts on both his sides from the sharp edges of the staves. Until this day the tiger has stripes on both his sides.

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The Story of the Disobedient Son

The Story of the Disobedient Son
A Folktale from America

Once upon a time, There was a boy who was rude and wouldn't obey his mother. He would go out for a walk, without having eaten. He wouldn't come back until late, about ten or eleven o'clock at night. At ten o'clock his mother was still waiting up and worrying about him.

"What have you been doing, son?" his mother asked him. "I'm going to bed because it's late and I have just been waiting for you. You don't pay any attention to anything I tell you. I'm going to send you to your godfather. You don't pay any attention to what I tell you." The boy's mother went to see her compadre* the priest

"Compadre, what can be done about your godson? He is quite a scoundrel and doesn't obey me. You're a priest, and you can counsel and discipline this godson of yours; I can't do anything with him. This godson of yours is a rascal, compadre. Let him come to stay here with you to see if he will learn to behave."

"All right, comadre, have him come here. Why shouldn't he do what I tell him? I'm indeed a priest. I'll teach my godson to work. Don't worry, comadre, my godson is going to obey me."

The woman said to her son:

"Go with your godfather, my son. He'll teach you. Since you won't obey me, go and work there."

"All right, mother, I'll go to my godfather's. Since I'm not of any use to you, I'll go and work with my godfather."

"I have come, godfather. What can I do for you? 'Go stay with your godfather', my mother said. That's why I came here to you. My mother is the one who sent me. 'Go to your godfather, you're no longer of any use to me,' my mother said."

"All right, godson," the priest said to him, "You're going to work for me."

"All right, godfather, I'm going to work. I'm going to do whatever you tell me to do; everything you tell me, I will do, godfather."

"All right. Now I'm going to tell you something," said the priest. "Godson, tomorrow morning early you're going to sweep; at three o'clock in the morning. I'm not going to awaken you, I'm just telling you now."

"All right," said the boy.

At dawn he went and swept. When he was finished sweeping he went to tell his godfather the priest.

"Godfather, I've finished sweeping all of the church. So I've come to tell you."

"All right, godson, I'm glad you've finished. Now rest."

Another day passed and the godfather gave him his next task:

"Now godson, I'm going to tell you what you have to do tomorrow morning. You're going to ring the bell at six o'clock. I want you to ring three times and when you're finished, come and tell me and I'll go to say Mass."

"All right," said the boy.

When the next day was over the boy went to ring the bell. He went to tell his godfather:

"Godfather, I rang the bell three times. It's time to get up and go and say Mass," he told his godfather.

"All right," said the godfather.

Another day was over and the priest spoke once more to the godson:

"Now I'm going to tell you once more what you have to do tomorrow."

"All right," said the boy.

"Ring the bell again early at three o'clock in the morning."

"All right," said the boy.

The boy got up and remembered to ring the bell. He went to ring the bell in the belfry, but the priest, his godfather, had given the boy a test. He had left a skeleton in the belfry. The boy got there at three o'clock in the morning and found a skeleton standing in his way. He said to the skeleton:

"Get out of my way! I'm coming to ring the bell. Don't get in my way. Get out of my way, for my godfather sent me to ring the bell. Get out of my way or I'll kill you!"

He didn't get out of the way, he didn't move and he didn't answer.

"Answer, or do you want me to kill you?" the boy asked the skeleton.

"If for the third time you don't answer me, I'm going to smash you to pieces. That's what you want. That's why you got in my way, so now you're going to die. I'm going to throw you all the way down from here." And he pushed the skeleton out of the belfry.

When he had smashed the skeleton he rang the bell and came down from the belfry. He went to his godfather's bedroom and knocked on the door to awaken him. The godfather woke up and answered the door:

"What is it?" the priest asked the boy.

"Get up, I've already rung the bell," the boy told the priest. The priest heard this and was surprised.

"Oh, did you ring the bell?" asked the priest.

"Yes, I rang the bell, godfather," the boy said.

"Didn't you see anything in the belfry?" asked the priest.

"Yes, godfather," the boy answered, "I saw something."

"What did you see?" the priest asked the boy.

"I saw someone who was standing in my way who wouldn't let me get by to ring the bell," the boy answered.

"Oh, so what did you do?" asked the priest. "Weren't you afraid of him?

"No, godfather."

"So what did you do?"

"I pushed him and he fell and broke into pieces on the floor."

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The Story of the Monk and the Student

The Story of the Monk and the Student
A Folktale from Asia

Once upon a time, in one school the teacher was a monk. Most of all he loved to have a snack and a nap afterwards. Every time before the lessons he ate so much that he could barely move.

Soon after the beginning of the lessons he always took a nap and slept until the bell for the end of the lessons sounded.

The son of a poor villager was a student in the same school. His name was Lee. One time Lee asked the monk:

"Sir, may I ask you why do you sleep in all our lessons?"

"My friend," replied the monk without any embarrassment. "It just seems that way. During these minutes I meet with Buddha and listen to His wise words. That's why I try to sleep as much as I can."

One time Lee took care of his sick father during the night and fell asleep at school in the morning. He slept so deeply that he didn't hear the bell, which woke the monk.

When the monk saw the sleeping boy, he got very angry, took Lee by the ear and started screaming:

"Ah, you, little weasel! How dare you fall asleep in my class?"

"Teacher,"  said Lee "It just seemed that I slept. I was with Buddha and listened to His wise words."

"And what did the all-powerful Buddha said to you?"

"The all-powerful Buddha told me: ” Never in my life have I seen your teacher”.

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The Origin of Fire

The Origin of Fire
A Folktale from Native American

Long time ago, animals and trees talked with each other, but there was no fire at that time. Fox was most clever and he tried to think of a way to create fire for the world.

One day, he decided to visit the Geese, te-tl, whose cry he wished to learn how to imitate. They promised to teach him if he would fly with them. So they contrived a way to attach wings to Fox, but cautioned him never to open his eyes while flying.

Whenever the Geese arose in flight, Fox also flew along with them to practice their cry. On one such adventure, darkness descended suddenly as they flew over the village of the fireflies, ko-na- tcic-a.

In mid-flight, the glare from the flickering fireflies caused Fox to forget and he opened his eyes--instantly his wings collapsed! His fall was uncontrollable. He landed within the walled area of the firefly village, where a fire constantly burned in the center.

Two kind fireflies came to see fallen Fox, who gave each one a necklace of juniper berries, katl-te-i-tse.
Fox hoped to persuade the two fireflies to tell him where he could find a way over the wall to the outside. They led him to a cedar tree, which they explained would bend down upon command and catapult him over the wall if he so desired.

That evening, Fox found the spring where fireflies obtained their water. There also, he discovered colored Earth, which when mixed with water made paint. He decided to give himself a coat of white. Upon returning to the village, Fox suggested to the fireflies,

"Let's have a festival where we can dance and I will produce the music."

They all agreed that would be fun and helped to gather wood to build up a greater fire. Secretly, Fox tied a piece of cedar bark to his tail. Then he made a drum, probably the first one ever constructed, and beat it vigorously with a stick for the dancing fireflies. Gradually, he moved closer and closer to the fire.

Fox pretended to tire from beating the drum. He gave it to some fireflies who wanted to help make the music. Fox quickly thrust his tail into the fire, lighting the bark, and exclaimed,

"It is too warm here for me, I must find a cooler place."

Straight to the cedar tree Fox ran, calling,

"Bend down to me, my cedar tree, bend down!"

Down bent the cedar tree for Fox to catch hold, then up it carried him far over the wall. On and on he ran, with the fireflies in pursuit.

As Fox ran along, brush and wood on either side of his path were ignited from the sparks dropping from the burning bark tied to his tail.

Fox finally tired and gave the burning bark to Hawk, i-tsarl-tsu- i, who carried it to brown Crane, tsi-nes-tso-l. He flew far southward, scattering fire sparks everywhere. This is how fire first spread over the Earth.
Fireflies continued chasing Fox all the way to his burrow and declared,

"Forever after, Wily Fox, your punishment for stealing our fire will be that you can never make use of it for yourself."

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The Story of the Grasshopper and the Toad

The Story of the Grasshopper and the Toad
A Folktale from Africa

Long time ago, there were Grasshopper and Toad. The Grasshopper and the Toad appeared to be good friends. People always saw them together. Yet they had never dined at each other's houses. One day Toad said to Grasshopper,

"Dear friend, tomorrow come and dine at my house. My wife and I will prepare a special meal. We will eat it together."

The next day Grasshopper arrived at Toad's house. Before sitting down to eat, Toad washed his forelegs, and invited Grasshopper to do the same. Grasshopper did so, and it made a loud noise.

"Friend Grasshopper, can't you leave your chirping behind. I cannot eat with such a noise," said Toad.

Grasshopper tried to eat without rubbing his forelegs together, but it was impossible. Each time he gave a chirp, Toad complained and asked him to be quiet. Grasshopper was angry and could not eat. Finally, he said to Toad:

"I invite you to my house for dinner, tomorrow."

The next day, Toad arrived at Grasshopper's home. As soon as the meal was ready, Grasshopper washed his forelegs, and invited Toad to do the same. Toad did so, and then hopped toward the food.

"You had better go back and wash again," said Grasshopper. "All that hopping in the dirt has made your forelegs dirty again."

Toad hopped back to the water jar, washed again, then hopped back to the table, and was ready to reach out for some food from one of the platters when Grasshopper stopped him:

"Please dorit put your dirty paws into the food. Go and wash them again."

Toad was furious.

"You just don't want me to eat with you!" he cried.

"You know very well that I must use my paws and forelegs in hopping about. I cannot help it if they get a bit dirty between the water jar and the table."

Grasshopper responded,

"You are the one who started it yesterday. You know I cannot rub my forelegs together without making a noise."

From then on, they were no longer friends.

Moral (advice): If you wish to have true friendship with someone, learn to accept each other's faults, as well as each other's good qualities.

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The Story of Clever Jackal gets away

The Story of Clever Jackal gets away
A Folktale form Africa

Once upon a time, in one evening Gogo wanted to tell a story to her children.

"Hawu, hawu, hawu, my children," Gogo began "You know, cleverness is a very important thing to own! Why, cleverness has helped Nogwaja out of the cooking pot more than once!"

"The Jackal is also a clever animal, isn't he, Gogo?" asked little Sipho (see' poh), who was quite proud that his nickname was Mpungushe (mpoo-ngoo'-shay = "jackal").

Gogo, in fact, had given him that name because of the loud howl he had made as a baby. Sipho liked to think it was because he was quick and agile as the Jackal.

Gogo laughed and looked at the child at her feet.

"Yes, my boy! You are right! Jackal is a very clever animal. Sometimes too clever for his own good!"

"I remember how he helped Jabu the herdboy by tricking Bhubesi back into the snare. Tell us another tale about Jackal, Gogo!" begged Sipho.

"Yes, Gogo," her other grandchildren chorused. "Please tell us...."

"Alright, my children. But listen and learn!" Gogo settled her round self down more comfortably upon the tree stump. "Kwasuka sukela . . ."

One day long ago, Jackal was trotting through a narrow, rocky pass. As he often did, he kept his nose to the ground as he ambled along, to catch the odd scent.

 "Never know when I'll happen upon my next meal, " he thought to himself, although it was highly unlikely that he would find a rat out in the midday heat. But perhaps he could catch a lizard or two.

Suddenly he was aware of a movement ahead of him in the pass.

"Oh, no!" Jackal moaned and stopped dead-still in his tracks. Lion was coming toward him. Realising that he was too near to escape, Jackal was filled with fear. He had played so many tricks on the great Bhubesi in the past, he was sure that lion would take this opportunity to get his revenge. In a flash Jackal thought of a plan.

"Help! Help!" cried Jackal. He cowered down on the cliff path, looking above at the rocks.

Lion stopped short in surprise.

"Help!" Jackal howled, using the fear he felt in the middle of his chest to accentuate his cry.

Jackal glanced up at Bhubesi.

"Oh, great Nkosi! Help! There is no time to lose! See those great rocks above us? They are about to fall! We shall both be crushed to death!!!! Oh, mighty Lion, do something! Save us!" And Jackal cowered even lower, his paws covering his head.

Lion looked up, most alarmed. Before he even had a chance to think, Jackal was begging him to use his strength to hold up the overhanging rock. So Lion put his brawny shoulder to the rock and heaved.

"Oh, thank you, great King!" yelped Jackal.

"I will quickly fetch that log over there to prop under the rock, and we will both be saved!" With that Jackal bounded out of sight.

Lion was left all alone to struggle under the weight of the unmoving rock. How long he remained there before he realised that it was another trick, we will never know. But this much we do know: Jackal continued to live by his wits!

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The origin of the Cheetah's cheeks are stained

The Origin of the Cheetah's cheeks are stained
A Folktale from Africa

Long time ago a wicked and lazy hunter was sitting under a tree. He was thinking that it was too hot to be bothered with the arduous task of stalking prey through the bushes. Below him in the clearing on the grassy veld there were fat springbok grazing. But this hunter couldn't be bothered, so lazy was he!

He gazed at the herd, wishing that he could have the meat without the work, when suddenly he noticed a movement off to the left of the buck. It was a female cheetah seeking food. Keeping downwind of the herd, she moved closer and closer to them. She singled out a springbok who had foolishly wandered away from the rest. Suddenly she gathered her long legs under her and sprang forward. With great speed she came upon the springbok and brought it down. Startled, the rest of the herd raced away as the cheetah quickly killed her prey.

The hunter watched as the cheetah dragged her prize to some shade on the edge of the clearing. There three beautiful cheetah cubs were waiting there for her. The lazy hunter was filled with envy for the cubs and wished that he could have such a good hunter provide for him. Imagine dining on delicious meat every day without having to do the actual hunting! Then he had a wicked idea. He decided that he would steal one of the cheetah cubs and train it to hunt for him. He decided to wait until the mother cheetah went to the waterhole late in the afternoon to make his move. He smiled to himself.

When the sun began to set, the cheetah left her cubs concealed in a bush and set off to the waterhole. Quickly the hunter grabbed his spear and trotted down to the bushes where the cubs were hidden. There he found the three cubs, still to young to be frightened of him or to run away. He first chose one, then decided upon another, and then changed his mind again. Finally he stole them all, thinking to himself that three cheetahs would undoubtedly be better than one.

When their mother returned half-an-hour later and found her babies gone, she was broken-hearted. The poor mother cheetah cried and cried until her tears made dark stains down her cheeks. She wept all night and into the next day. She cried so loudly that she was heard by an old man who came to see what the noise was all about.

Now this old man was wise and knew the ways of the animals. When he discovered what the wicked hunter had done, he became very angry. The lazy hunter was not only a thief, he had broken the traditions of the tribe. Everyone knew that a hunter must use only his own strength and skill. Any other way of hunting was surely a dishonour.

The old man returned to the village and told the elders what has happened. The villagers became angry. They found the lazy hunter and drove him away from the village. The old man took the three cheetah cubs back to their grateful mother. But the long weeping of the mother cheetah stained her face forever. Today the cheetah wears the tearstains on its face as a reminder to the hunters that it is not honourable to hunt in any other way than that which is traditional.

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The Origin of the sun and the moon live in the sky

The Origin of the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky
A Folktale from Africa

Long time ago, the sun and water were great friends, and they both lived on the earth togther. The sun very often used to visit the water, but the water never returned the visits.

At last the sun asked the water why he never visited. The water replied that the sun's house was not big enough, and that if he came with all his people, he would drive the sun out of his home.

The water then said, "If you want me to visit you, you will have to build a very large house. But I warn you that it will have to be very large, as my people are numerous and take up a lot of room".

The sun promised to build a very large house, and soon afterwards, he returned home to his wife, the moon, who greeted him with a broad smile.

The sun told the moon what he had promised the water, and the next day, they began building a large house to entertain the water and all his people.

When it was completed, the sun asked the water to come and visit him.

When the water arrived, one of his people called out to the sun, and asked him whether it would be safe for the water to enter, and the sun answered,

"Yes, tell my friend to come in."

The water began to flow in, followed by the fish and all the other water animals.

Very soon, the water was knee-deep in the house, so he asked the sun if it was still safe, and the sun again said,

"Yes," so more of them came in.

When the water was at the level of a man's head, the water said to the sun,

"Do you want more of my people to come?"

Not knowing any better, the sun and the moon both said,

"Yes,". More and more of the water's people came in, until the sun and the moon had to sit on top of the roof.

The water once again asked the sun if it was still okay to keep coming in. The sun and moon answered yes, so more and more of the water's people came in.

The water soon overflowed the top of the roof, and the sun and the moon were forced to go up into the sky. And they have been there ever since.

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The Story of The four dragons

The Story of The four dragons
A Folktale from China, Asia

Once upon a time, there were no rivers and lakes on earth, but only the Eastern Sea, in which lived four dragons: the Long Dragon, the Yellow Dragon, the Black Dragon and the Pearl Dragon.

One day the four dragons flew from the sea into the sky. They soared and dived, playing at hide-and-seek in the clouds.

"Come over here quickly!" the Pearl Dragon cried out suddenly.

"What's up?" asked the other three, looking down in the direction where the Pearl Dragon pointed.

On the earth they saw many people putting out fruits and cakes, and burning incense sticks. They were praying! A white-haired woman, kneeling on the ground with a thin boy on her back, murmured,

"Please send rain quickly, God of Heaven, to give our children rice to eat."

For there had been no rain for a long time. The crops withered, the grass turned yellow and fields cracked under the scorching sun.

"How poor the people are!" said the Yellow Dragon. "And they will die if it doesn't rain soon."

The Long Dragon nodded. Then he suggested,

 "Let's go and beg the Jade Emperor for rain."

So saying, he leapt into the clouds. The others followed closely and flew towards the Heavenly Palace. Being in charge of all the affairs in heaven on earth and in the sea, the Jade Emperor was very powerful. He was not pleased to see the dragons rushing in.

"Why do you come here instead of staying in the sea and behaving yourselves?"

The Long Dragon stepped forward and said,

"The crops on earth are withering and dying, Your Majesty. I beg you to send rain down quickly!"

"All right. You go back first, I'll send some rain down tomorrow." The Jade Emperor pretended to agree while listening to the songs of the fairies.

The four dragons responded,

"Thanks, Your Majesty!"

The four dragons went happily back. But ten days passed, and not a drop of rain came down. The people suffered more, some eating bark, some grass roots, some forced to eat white clay when they ran out of bark and grass roots.

Seeing all this, the four dragons felt very sorry, for they knew the Jade Emperor only cared about pleasure, and never took the people to heart. They could only rely on themselves to relieve the people of their miseries. But how to do it? Seeing the vast sea, the Long Dragon said that he had an idea.

"What is it? Out with it, quickly!" the other three demanded.

"Look, is there not plenty of water in the sea where we live? We should scoop it up and spray it towards the sky. The water will be like rain drops and come down to save the people and their crops," said Long Dragon.

"Good idea!" said the others as they clapped their hands.

"But," said the Long Dragon after thinking a bit, "we will be blamed if the Jade Emperor learns of this."

"I will do anything to save the people," the Yellow Dragon said resolutely.

"Then let's begin. We will never regret it," said Long Dragon.

The Black Dragon and the Pearl Dragon were not to be outdone. They flew to the sea, scooped up water in their mouths, and then flew back into the sky, where they sprayed the water out over the earth. The four dragons flew back and forth, making the sky dark all around. Before long the sea water became rain pouring down from the sky.

"It's raining! It's raining! The crops will be saved!" the people cried and leaped with joy.

On the ground the wheat stalks raised their heads and the sorghum stalks straightened up. The god of the sea discovered these events and reported to the Jade Emperor.

"How dare the four dragons bring rain without my permission!" said the Jade Emperor.

The Jade Emperor was enraged, and ordered the heavenly generals and their troops to arrest the four dragons. Being far outnumbered, the four dragons could not defend themselves, and they were soon arrested and brought back to the heavenly palace.

"Go and get four mountains to lay upon them so that they can never escape!" The Jade Emperor ordered the Mountain God.

The Mountain God used his magic power to make four mountains fly there, whistling in the wind from afar, and pressed them down upon the four dragons. Imprisoned as they were, they never regretted their actions. Determined to do good for the people forever, they turned themselves into four rivers, which flowed past high mountains and deep valleys, crossing the land from the west to the east and finally emptying into the sea.

And so China's four great rivers were formed -- the Heilongjian (Black Dragon) in the far north, the Huanghe (Yellow River) in central China, the Changjiang (Yangtze, or Long River) farther south, and the Zhujiang (Pearl) in the very far south.

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The Story of The Man who Never Lied

The Story of The Man who Never Lied
A Folktale From Africa

Once upon a time there was a wise man named Mamad. He never lied. All the people in the land, even the ones who lived twenty days away, knew about him.

The king heard about Mamad and ordered his subjects to bring him to the palace. He looked at the wise man and asked:

" Mamad, is it true, that you have never lied?"

" It's true."

"And you will never lie in your life?"

" I'm sure in that."

"Okay, tell the truth, but be careful! The lie is cunning and it gets on your tongue easily."

Several days passed and the king called Mamad once again. There was a big crowd: the king was about to go hunting. The king held his horse by the mane, his left foot was already on the stirrup. He ordered Mamad:

"Go to my summer palace and tell the queen I will be with her for lunch. Tell her to prepare a big feast. You will have lunch with me then."

Mamad bowed down and went to the queen. Then the king laughed and said:

"We won't go hunting and now Mamad will lie to the queen. Tomorrow we will laugh on his behalf."

But the wise Mamad went to the palace and said:

"Maybe you should prepare a big feast for lunch tomorrow, and maybe you shouldn't. Maybe the king will come by noon, and maybe he won't."

"Tell me will he come, or won't he?" - asked the queen.

"I don't know weather he put his right foot on the stirrup, or he put his left foot on the ground after I left."

Everybody waited for the king. He came the next day and said to the queen:

"The wise Mamad, who never lies, lied to you yesterday."

But the queen told him about the words of Mamad. And the king realized, that the wise man never lies, and says only that, which he saw with his own eyes.

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Sufi Stories - The Banquet - Cooking by Candle

The Banquet
A Sufi Story from the Middle East

Once upon a time, a poor man dressed in rags came to the palace to attend the banquet. Out of courtesy he was admitted but, because of his tattered clothing, he was seated at the very end of the banquet table. By the time the platters arrived at his seat, there was no food left on them.

So he left the banquet, returning several hours later dressed in robes and jewels he had borrowed from a wealthy friend. This time he was brought immediately to the head of the table and, with great ceremony, food was brought to his seat first.

"Oh, what delicious food I see being served upon my plate." He rubbed one spoonful into his clothes for every one he ate.

A nobleman beside him, grimacing at the mess, inquired,

"Sir, why are you rubbing food into your fine clothes?"

"Oh," he replied with a chuckle, "Pardon me if my robes now look the worst. But it was these clothes that brought me all this food. It's only fair that they be fed first!"

======================================================

Cooking by Candle
A Sufi Tale from the Middle East

Once upon a time, Mula bet some friends he could survive a night on an icy mountain with nothing to warm him. Taking only a book and a candle for some light, he sat through the frigid night. When he came down to claim his winnings, his friends asked,

"Did you take anything up there with you to keep warm?"

"No," said Mula, "just a small candle to read by."

"Aha!" they exclaimed, "Then you lose!"

A week later he invited these same friends to a feast. They waited and waited for food.

"Dinner's not ready," said Mula, "Come and see why!"

In the kitchen they saw a huge pot of water under which a small candle was burning. Mula said,

"Does this remind you of our bet? I've been trying to heat this pot of water over this candle since yesterday and it's not warm yet!"

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Sufi Stories - The Sack - The Boatman

The Sack
A Sufi Story from the Middle East

Long time ago, there was a sufi named Mula Nasruddin, usually he is called by Mula. Following is the story of Mula.

Mula came upon a frowning man walking along the road to town.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

The man held up a tattered bag and moaned,

"All that I own in this wide world barely fills this miserable, wretched sack."

"Too bad," said Mula.

And with that, he snatched the bag from the man's hands and ran down the road with it.

Having lost everything, the man burst into tears and, more miserable than before, continued walking. Meanwhile, Mula quickly ran around the bend and placed the man's sack in the middle of the road where he would have to come upon it.

When the man saw his bag sitting in the road before him, he laughed with joy, and shouted,

"My sack! I thought I'd lost you!"

Watching through the bushes, Mula chuckled.

"Well, that's one way to make someone happy!"

=========================================================

The Boatman
A Sufi Story from the Middle East

A scholar asked a boatman to row him across the river. The journey was long and slow. The scholar was bored.

"Boatman," he called out, "Let's have a conversation."

Suggesting a topic of special interest to himself, he asked,

"Have you ever studied phonetics or grammar?"

"No," said the boatman, "I've no use for those tools."

"Too bad," said the scholar, "You've wasted half your life. It's useful to know the rules."

Later, as the rickety boat crashed into a rock in the middle of the river, the boatman turned to the scholar and said,

"Pardon my humble mind that to you must seem dim, but, wise man, tell me, have you ever learned to swim?"

"No," said the scholar, "I've never learned. I've immersed myself in thinking."

"In that case," said the boatman, "you've wasted all your life. Alas, the boat is sinking."

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The Story of The Stupid Crocodile

The Story of The Stupid Crocodile
A Folklore from South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Once upon a time, It was very hot day. A crocodile was lying on the ground. He wanted to go to the river and enjoyed the water. However, he was too weak to go there. He was waiting for an animal to help him. His wish came true. A buffalo was passing by. He asked the buffalo to helped him.

"I want to go to the river. But I am too weak. May I jump on your back and take me to the river?" asked the crocodile.

"Certainly, Mr Crocodile. I'm glad to help you," said the Buffalo.

Soon the crocodile was on top of the buffalo's back. And when they arrived at the river side, the buffalo asked the crocodile to get off.

"Not now, there is not much water here. Please go farther," said the crocodile.

The buffalo continued walking. They were almost at the middle of the river. The water was on the neck of the buffalo. The crocodile get off from the buffalo's back. Instead of saying thank you, the crocodile bit the buffalo's leg.

"Hey what are you doing?" asked the buffalo.

"I'm so hungry. You have to be my lunch!" said the crocodile.

"But it is not fair! I already helped you!"

"I don't care!" said the crocodile.

A mouse deer saw their argument. He was standing at the river side. He wanted to know what happened.

"Hey, what are you arguing about?" asked the mouse deer.

"I already helped Mr. Crocodile, but now he wants to eat me."

The mouse deer knew that the crocodile was a mean animal. He wanted to help the buffalo.

"What? I cannot hear you. Both of you are too far from me. Come closer to the ground.

Slowly, the buffalo moved his body. The crocodile was still biting his leg. And when they were on the ground, the mouse deer whispered to the buffalo's ear.

"Kick the crocodile now and run. The crocodile cannot move fast to the ground."

The buffalo immediately kicked the crocodile with his other leg. The crocodile was in pain. He opened his mouth. The buffalo was free. Soon the buffalo and the mouse deer ran fast to save their lives.

"Wait for my revenge mouse deer. I will eat you alive!" the crocodile was angry.

Several days later, the crocodile met the mouse deer.

"Aha! I will eat you now!"

"No, wait! Do you know what I'm doing here?" asked the mouse deer. He continued, "Do you see that big and shining rope over there? Well, it's not a rope. It's a magic belt. The god of the jungle asked me to guard it."

"Really? What kind of magic does this belt have?" asked the crocodile.

"Anyone who wears the belt will have great power," explained the mouse deer.

The crocodile wanted to have great power. However, he did not know that the belt was actually a big snake. And the snake was sleeping.

The crocodile asked the mouse deer to go away. And when the mouse deer left. The crocodile lifted the belt and put it around his body.

The snake was angry! He squeezed the crocodile! The crocodile was in great pain. He asked for help but no one helped him. Slowly, the crocodile died.

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The Origin of The Sacred Cave

The Story of The Sacred Cave 

A Folklore from Central Java, Indonesia

Long time ago, there was long drought in Rembang, Central Java, Indonesia. Rain had not fallen in the place for a very long time. The air was very hot. All the leaves in the trees dried. The rice fields did not grow any plants. There was no source of water. Their only lake also dried.

The people were very thirsty. Children were dying. They did not get enough food and drink. Most of them were ill. Cattle also suffered from the drought season. One by one the cattle died. The villagers were very sad. For them, cattle were their precious things. They could not do anything when their cattle died.

Every day the villagers prayed to God. They wished to have rain. They really wanted to see rain fall so they and their cattle would have enough water to drink. And they also wanted to water their rice fields.

One day all the villagers had a meeting. They discussed how to stop the long drought.

"Sir, I heard there is someone who can help us. His name is Ki Mojo Agung. He has a great supernatural power. Maybe he can help us," said one of the villagers.

"Good! Do you know where he lives?"asked the head of the village.

"That's the problem, Sir. He lives very far from here."

"OK, then. I need some strong men to go to Ki Mojo Agung's house."

Soon some strong man had their journey to visit Ki Mojo Agung. They spent days and nights and finally they arrived at Ki Mojo Agung's house. They talked to him, and fortunately he agreed to help.

"I will help you. But you have to provide two things, a fish and a turtle. You can catch the fish and the turtle in the river there. Put them in this bucket. Remember, you have to keep the animals alive until we arrive in your village. No matter how thirsty you are, don't drink the water. If you do, the animal will die."

The young men agreed. While they were trying to catch the fish and the turtle, they drank some water. They were so happy. and after they caught a fish and a turtle, they went back home. Ki Mojo Agung also joined them.

On the way back home, the young men started to be thirsty. One of them tried to drink the water in he bucket. Ki Mojo Agung was angry. He asked the young man not to join them anymore.

Finally they arrived. Ki Mojo Agung went to a cave. He put the fish and the turtle on the ground in front of the cave. People were very confused. They saw the fish and the turtle moving their bodies. They thought the fish and the turtle were ding. Well, they were wrong.

It was true that the fish and the turtle were floundering. But they were not dying. An amazing thing started to happen. On the ground where the fish and the turtle were moving their bodies, water came out. The villagers were happy. They immediately drank the water. They were very thankful

Because the water came out in front of the cave, the people named the cave as the sacred cave or Gua Keramat.

READ MORE » The Origin of The Sacred Cave

The Story of Ratna Ayu Wideradin and the Monkey

The Story of Ratna Ayu Wideradin and the Monkey

A Folklore from West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Once upon a time, there was a kingdom in Lombok, nusa Tenggara Barat, Indonesia. The king had nine beautiful daughters. However, the youngest princess was the most beautiful one. Her name was Ratna Ayu Wideradin. Other princesses were jealous. They were thinking how she just stayed inside the palace and people would not able to see her anymore.

They finally had an idea. They told the king that Princess Ratna Ayu Wideradin stole her sister's jewelry. They tried hard to influence the king and sadly the king finally believed it. He punished his youngest daughter. She was not allowed to leave the palace until she returned the jewelry. Of course it made Princess Ratna Ayu Wideradin very sad. She did not steal anything, therefore she could not return it.

Everyday, the princess just stayed inside the palace.
She was not allowed to go to other places. She was so sad. She could not play or meet her friends.

The princess spent the time by writing. She expressed her feelings on the pieces of papers. She wrote how sad she was. She wrote that she did not understand why her sisters accused her of being a thief. She never stole anything. It was a windy day.

The princess was writing in the garden. Suddenly the wind blew the papers. They all were flying to the sky. The princess tried to save the papers, however she lost one. It was flying high above the sky and it went very far from Lombok. The paper landed in a kingdom in Java! A prince accidentally got the paper and he read it.

His name was Prince Witarasari. His people loved him. He was a handsome and powerful prince. He was wise and always protected his people. The prince had supernatural power.

The prince wanted to help the princess. With his power, he went to Lombok easily. The prince knew he could not enter the palace as a prince.
So he changed himself as a monkey.

The monkey looked for the princess. When he met her, the monkey asked.

“Why do you look so sad, Princess?“

The princess was so shocked. She never saw a monkey who talked like a human before. After she calmed down, then she told the monkey why she was punished. She told him that she felt very lonely. She did not have any friends in the palace.

“Don't worry, My Princess. I will be your friend,“ said the monkey.

The sisters saw the monkey. They all were also surprised that Princess Ratna Ayu Wideradin had a talking monkey. They became more jealous.

“We have to do something. Let's ask father to hold a party. All of us should dance with our beautiful clothes. If Princess Ratna Ayu Wideradin cannot wear beautiful clothes, we will take her monkey. But first, we have to hide her beautiful clothes.“ The king agreed to his daughters' request. He held a great party and asked all his daughters to dance and that included Princess Ratna Ayu Wideradin.

When she heard about the party, Princess Ratna Ayu Wideradin was so happy. The king invited many people. Finally she could meet her friends again. However, the princess was so sad when she could not find her clothes. She had looked for her clothes everywhere, but she could not find any of them.

Suddenly the monkey came and he told her that all her clothes were hidden by her sisters. The monkey told her not to worry because he already found her clothes. He asked her if she wanted to go to the party with him. The princess said yes, she was happy to go to the party with the monkey.

Later, the monkey changed himself as Prince Witarasari.

The princess was so surprised to see the monkey changed into a handsome man. Later they went to the party. People were so amazed when they saw them. They all said that the prince and the princess were a perfect match.

The king asked who the prince was. He introduced himself and he also told the king about his daughters' bad behavior to Princess Ratna Ayu Wideradin. He could prove it.

The king was surprised when he saw the proofs. He was angry and punished all Princess Ratna Ayu Wideradin's sisters. Later Princess Ratna Ayu Wideradin and Prince Witarasari got married and they lived happily ever after.

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History of Cats And Dogs Hostile

History of Cats And Dogs Hostile

Cats and dogs are two of the animals we see around us always. Both of these animals have a unique characteristic and very friendly. Easily maintained and does not provide a danger to their owners since he is well maintained. But if the two is met then the situation will be very different. Will result in a very stressful situation.

There is something unique about the history of hostile for Cats And Dogs. And this has been a long time ago, up to date among cats and dogs have never gotten along.

That in a narrated history of when it will be a big flood hit the earth, As Noah invited all the faithful followers to enter the ship that was made before. The whole of his followers entered the ship that's not even the beast come into it. All the fear of seeing the state of nature that seems unfriendly, the sky was black and the wind blows hard. So thrilling heart for anyone who saw it.

When a heavy rain soaked the earth, it appears the earth is flooded with water so that ships  rise above the water. When the ship sailed over the water then Noah prohibits any vessel for which there is no marriage. Because  ship load will be heavier if you have children onboard.

When all has been going on longer, it seems that a dog is not able to withstand the desire to marry a female. By trying to go unnoticed, they take the time and place to do it. However, the incident became known to a cat. So the cat came to Noah and to report the act to her dog. As Noah's call the dog and denounced his actions. But the dog would not recognize his actions. Then the cat says to the Prophet Noah:

"O Nabiyullah, I saw for myself that he had done this, Had you pray to God, of his mark will appears to you, and you can see with your own eyes." Noah Prophet prayed to Allah SWT.

Dogs do not seem to deter his actions. Until one day when a pair of mating dogs, then both cannot be separated.  So Noah came to meet again to report the dog's actions.

As Noah was coming to see the incident. And the dog was embarrassed over the incident had happened.

This is the effect of making dogs and cats do not get along until now.

READ MORE » History of Cats And Dogs Hostile