Showing posts with label folktales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label folktales. Show all posts

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
READ MORE » The Legend of Kamandaka in Goa Jatijajar

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.
READ MORE » The Story of How the Tiger Got His Stripes

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."
READ MORE » The Story of the Disobedient Son

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”.
READ MORE » The Story of the Monk and the Student

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."
READ MORE » The Origin of Fire

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.
READ MORE » The Story of the Grasshopper and the Toad

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!
READ MORE » The Story of Clever Jackal gets away

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.
READ MORE » The origin of the Cheetah's cheeks are stained

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.
READ MORE » The Origin of the sun and the moon live in the sky

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.
READ MORE » The Story of The four dragons

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.
READ MORE » The Story of The Man who Never Lied

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!"
READ MORE » Sufi Stories - The Banquet - Cooking by Candle

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."
READ MORE » Sufi Stories - The Sack - The Boatman

The Story of A Farmer and His Three Cats

The Story of A Farmer and His Three Cats
Folklore From East Java, Indonesia


THERE was a poor farmer in Madura. He lived with his wife and his children. The farmer did not have his own rice field. He worked for his neighbors' rice field. He only got small amount of money when harvest came.

The farmer really wanted to have his own rice field. However, he did not have enough money to buy a piece of land. The farmer told his wife that he wanted to go to Java. He wanted to work there and got a lot of money.

The farmer left his house with a little money. On the way of the harbor, he met an old woman. She brought three cats.

"Please help me, Sir. I'm so hungry and I don't have any money. Please buy my cats," said the old woman.

The farmer was confused. he wanted to help the woman, but if he bought her cats, he would not bring any money.

Finally, he decided to buy the cats. The woman was very happy. she gave him a small cage so the farmer could put the cats in it.

Later the farmer was on the ship. At first the cruise was good, but suddenly there was a heavy storm. The ship could not continue the cruise to Java. It harbored in Mice Island. People named it Mice Island because there were so many mice lived in the island. The nice attacked people's barn and ate their supplies. The people were hopeless. They did not know how to combat the mice.

The farmer heard about the people's problem with the mice. He remembered about his three cats. he wanted to help the people by giving them his three cats.
The people really welcomed the farmer's help. And soon the farmer released his three cats. The cats had not eaten for a long time. they were very hungry. And when the cats saw the mice, they immediately chased and ate the mice.

Slowly the number of the mice decreased. the people were very happy. They wanted to repay the farmer's kindness. They all gave him a lot of money. The farmer was extremely happy. he went back to his home in Madura.

The farmer was not poor anymore. he bought land and his own rice field. He lived happily with his family.

His neighbor was jealous with the farmer. He also wanted to have a lot of money. He heard about the Mice island. So he collected many cats and joined a ship.

Finally he arrived in Mice Island. However, the name of the island was not Mice Island anymore. Its name changed into Cat island. The three cats that the farmer brought had bred. It made the island full of cats.

And so when he offered his cats to the people, they all were laughing at him.

 "What? Are you kidding?! We have too many cats here. we don't need your cats!"

He was so embarrassed. Finally he went home to Madura and brought his cats back to him.
READ MORE » The Story of A Farmer and His Three Cats

The Legend of Nyi Banjarsari

The Legend of Nyi Banjarsari
A Folklore from Banten, Indonesia

Long time ago, there was a family, Pak Bong, his wife and his doughter named Nyi Banjarsari. They were farmers. They lived in a village.

One day, It was a rainy season. The villagers were happy, most of them were farmers. Rain would water their rice field and soon they would harvest their rice. Pak Bong was one of the farmers. He was also very happy.

He wanted to buy some clothes for himself, his wife, and his beloved daughter, Nyi Banjarsari. She was a very beautiful girl. Her parents loved her because she was very obedient. One night, Pak Bong had a terrible dream. An old man came to him and said the rain would never stop. There would be a great flood.

At first Pak Bong thought it was just a dream but he had the same dream in the following nights. He decided to tell all the villagers about his dream and asked them to evacuate on a hill not far from their village.

"Ha ha ha! You are joking, Pak Bong? How can we leave our rice field? We are going to have great harvest, remember?" Everybody was laughing at Pak Bong.

Pak Bong did not give up. He kept on asking the villagers to evacuate to the hill. Finally some villagers believed him. Together with his wife, and his daughter Nyi Banjarsari, Pak Bong and his friends went to the hill.

In the meantime, heavy rain fell days and nights. It continued until water entered the houses. The villagers were sorry they did not listen to Pak Bong and ignored his advice. Soon, the village was drowned! Pak Bong and his friends could not do anything. They were sad because their village was under water.

Then they prayed to God. They asked God how the water dried up from their village. The answer came in Pak Bong's dream. In his dream, the same old man told him how to save their village.

"If you want the water to dry up, you have to sacrifice your daughter. She has to jump into the water!" said the old man.

Pak Bong was very sad. He then told his family about his dream. His wife did not agree at all. She did not want to lose her lovely daughter.

"That's OK, Mother. If this is the only way to save our village, I would jump into the water," said Nyi Banjarsari.

Her parents could not say anything. They could not prevent their daughter from jumping into the water. Slowly, water dried up. Pak Bong and his friends then returned to their village. They built their houses and had their lives back. To show their thankfulness and gratefulness to Nyi Banjarsari, the villagers named their village into Banjarsari.
READ MORE » The Legend of Nyi Banjarsari

The Story of Mundus and the Snake

The Story of Mundus and the Snake
A Folklore from East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia


Long time ago, there was a young man named Mundus. He lived alone. His parents died a long time ago. Mundus was a farmer. He worked diligently. His neighbors liked him. Mundus always helped people whenever they needed help.

Mundus and other villagers often were hunting in the jungle. They hunted the animals and shared the meat to all villagers.

It was a beautiful day. All the men were ready to go hunting. They all brought their own weapons. When they arrived in the jungle, they separated into two big teams. There was an open land and they choose that place as their base. They would meet in that place two hours later.

Mundus and his team were walking silently. Suddenly they saw a big snake. they all prepared their weapons. In just a minute, they killed the snake.

They brought the snake to the base. the other group also already arrived. Unlike Mundus' group, they were unlucky. They did not bring animals. they all were hungry. they decided to cook the snake and prepare it for their meal. After they all finished eating, they continued their hunting. This time, Mundus did not join them. He was not feeling well, so he stayed in the base.

While he was resting, suddenly a big snake came. Mundus was so scared. The snake looked the same as the snake which was killed by his friends. Mundus thought that the snake was the mate of the dead snake. Well, he was right! The snake was exactly the mate of the dead snake.

Mundus climbed a big tree. he hoped the snake would not chase him. And Mundus saw the strange thing. The snake did not chase him. The snake came to the body of the dead snake. There were not many parts left. The meat of the snake was already eaten by Mundus and his friends. There were only the skin and the head left.

Strangely, the mate was trying to rearrange the body parts of the dead snake. And after all the parts of the body were rearrange, the mate went to the bushes. Later, the snake brought some leaves in his mouth and came to the dead snake. the mate chewed the leaves then covered the skin, the head and the bones of the snake.

Amazingly, the dead snake lived! And then, the two snakes went back to the jungle. Mandus could not believe what he saw. And when his friends came back, he told them about the snakes. They also not believe him.

On the following day, Mundus came to the jungle again. He felt that that snake was giving him a lesson on how to cure the wounds. Mundus then looked for the leaves, Mundus went home.

When he arrived, his neighbor asked for his help. The neighbor fell from the tree, and broke his leg. Mundus then chewed the leaves and covered the broken leg. Amazingly, it was cured! Mundus was very grateful. Since then, every time people had problem with broken bones, Mundus always helped them. Mundus became famous. He was known as master of curing broken bones.
READ MORE » The Story of Mundus and the Snake

The Legend of Batu Hapu Cave

The Legend of Batu Hapu Cave
A Folklore from South Kalimantan, Indonesia

You know? In Tapin, South Kalimantan, Indonesia, there is a tourist destination. There is a cave and people name it Batu Hapu Cave. Local people say thet there is a legend how the cave was made. Here is the story:

Long time ago, there was an old woman who lived with his only son. The woman's name was Nini Kudampai and her son's name was Angui. They were really poor Angui was still a kid. He was kind and very helpful. His father died when he was a baby. Though he was very young, he behaved like an adult. He knew he had to help his mother to earn a living. And that made his mother loved him very much.

Angui had three pets. They were a white pig, a white dog, and a white cock. He liked playing with them after helping his mother. It was a beautiful day when Angui was playing with his three pets. A rich merchant was passing Angui's house. He stopped and paid attention to the kid. He liked Angui very much. He asked some people about Angui. And when he knew that Angui came from a poor family, he wanted to adopt Angui.

The rich merchant came to Angui's house. He talked to Nini Kudampai. He told him that he wanted to adopt Angui. He promised that he would let Angui go home and live with her after Angui was was adult. And he also promised that he would give Angui a good education.

Nini Kudampai was so touched. She was in a big dilemma. She was happy that her only would get a good education, however she was also sad that she would not see son anymore. She agreed with the merchant's plan. She let him adopt her soon.

With a big ship, the merchant and Angui sailed to the city. He raised Angui very well. He sent Angui to the best school. And he also thought him how to do business. Angui was smart. He could understand everything very fast. The merchant was very happy. He slowly gave some of his business to Angui. And Angui paid the trust by giving the merchant a lot of profit.

Angui was adult, the rich merchant planned to give all his business to Angui. However the rich merchand asked Angui to get married before he could receive the entir merchant's business. And Angui agreed.

Angui had fallen in love with a girl. He knew it was time for him to get married, especially when the merchant had promised to give him all the business. He did not waste much time. Angui proposed the girl and the girl happily accepted him.

Angui and his wife were very happy. Also, they were very rich. The merchant remembered his promise to Nini Kudampai. He told Angui to go home. But Angui refused. The merchant then reminded Angui about his promised. His wife also asked Angui to go to his hometown. Angui gave up. He asked his crew to prepare his ship. They would sail to Tapin.

The news spread very fast. People were talking that Angui would go back home. His mother finally heard the news also. She brought  Angui's pets, the white pig, the white dog, and the white cock.

Nini Kudampai was standing at the harbor. When she saw Angui, she called out his name. Angui saw his mother. She looked very old and shabby. He was ashamed. His wife asked him who the old woman was, but he said that he did not know her. He then asked his crew to continue sailing. The ship did not stop.
Nini Kudampai was so sad, and she was also very angry. She cursed Angui for ignoring her. She had been waiting for her son to come back. And when he arrived, he ignored and did not want to admit her as his mother.

God heard the old woman's pray. Suddenly rain fell down heavily. Thunder attacked the ship. It turned upside down! the ship finally stranded. Slowly the ship changed into a big stone. Later, the big stone slowly changed into a cave. People then named the cave as Batu Hapu Cave.
READ MORE » The Legend of Batu Hapu Cave

The Legend of Snake Dandaung

The Legend of Snake Dandaung


Once upon a time, there was a very big and famous kingdom in south Kalimantan. The kingdom was located between two mountains and passed by a very broad river. The natural resources of the kingdom are very plentiful. The kingdom was lead by a very just and wise king. He had a queen and seven beautiful daughters.
The natural resources owned by the kingdom are not used only for the king’s benefit, but for the people’s welfare. The process their fields in accordance to the rights they have. No dispute ever took place between the people. They live harmonious and peacefully.


One day, a giant bird that passed their village surprises the citizen of the kingdom.

“There’s a giant bird!” shouted villagers of the kingdom who saw the giant bird. They did not know where the giant bird that suddenly runs amuck came from. The bird was very scary; its peak is very big, shiny and sharp.


“We must fight the giant bird!” said the governor to the king. Then, the king sent thousands chosen soldiers to kill the giant bird. Many weapons aimed to the giant bird, but is was useless. Rice fields and farms were destroyed. The harmonious and peaceful country is like a country that lost a battle.


The people gather their strength and collect any weapon to fight the giant bird. Because of their solidity and cooperation between the soldiers and villagers, the giant bird was tired and stopped its attack.

The people thank God because they were avoided further damage caused by the giant bird. A couple of days later, they were surprised by a giant snake. The snake stuck out its poisonous tongue in front of the king’s family who were very afraid.


“Do not be afraid my king, I will not kill you and your family, as long as you grant my wish,” said the snake hissing. Heard what the snake said that gave sign that he will not endanger his family, the king gather some courage to speak to the snake.

“Who are you? And what do you want?” asked the king.

“My name is snake Dandaung,” the giant snake answered with respect. “I wish to take one of your daughters as my wife,” he continued.

Of course, the king, family was shocked.
Even the oldest daughter and her five sisters screamed in fright and hugged their mother. On the other hand, the king was very calm and tried to control the situation so that the condition did turn chaotic.
The king thought for a while and took his breath. He wanted the best solution for the problem, because if he took the wrong step, his life and his family will be in danger.


“I do not refuse, but I also do not accept you request,” said the king half confuse. “I must ask my daughters,” he added.

Hearing what the king answers, the snake dandaung’s eyes shone as is waiting for certainty from one of the king’s daughters. However, none of the king is daughter willing to accept snake Dandaung’s proposal.

“I do not want to marry to a disgusting snake!”

“I’d rather be dead, than to marry him,” those were the words said by the king’s daughter.

But the youngest daughter was different, not like her elder sisters.

“I am willing to be his wife,” said the youngest princes while sitting in front of his father.

Finally, youngest daughter and snake dandaung pronounced as husband and wife. The youngest daughter was mocked by her sisters, but she only replied with smile.


One night, the youngest daughter woke up from her sleep and surprised to see the one next to her was not snake dandaung, but a handsome and strong man with a king outfit.

“Do not be surprised, I am your husband. You have helped me broke the curse,” said snake Dandaung assuring.


After youngest daughter calmed down, snake Dandaung told that he was cursed because of his mistake. He would be freed from the curse if he could take a daughter’s king as his wife, and he did it. Seeing it, her six sisters regretted it. But nothing can be changed now.

Snake Dandaung was actually a very powerful person. Seeing his father in law’s kingdom destroyed he jumped into the battle himself. He searched the nest of the giant bird. There was a great battle took place.
Snake Dandaung gave all his might and finally killed the giant bird.

Since then, the village became safe and peaceful again.
READ MORE » The Legend of Snake Dandaung

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

The Frog and The Jewelery

The Story of The Frog and The Jewelery


Long time a go, lived an old widow with her two daughters. The eldest has lot of similarities to the mother. Their face and character were almost the same. When they were together, no body noticed that in fact, they were mother and daughter. They both were arrogant, greedy, selfish and underestimate.

The youngest was similar to the father, who had passed away. She was kind, warm, friendly and polite. Everybody said that the youngest was beautiful and behave. Most of them liked her very much. The mother gave more attention to the eldest rather than to the youngest. In fact, the youngest was treated bad, she had to do all the house work by herself, she did cook, collect water, clean, and laundry. While the mother and the eldest sister were just resting lazy in the house. But the youngest did it all without complain.

When the water was empty, the youngest took the water soon, although the water sources was far a way from home.

One day, the mother asked the youngest to take the water

“Take the water now, it is empty and I really need it !”

“That’s right you better do it fast!” added the sister.

The youngest soon, went te the water sources without saying a word. Arrived at the water sources, the youngest filled earth earthenware flask with a neck.

Suddenly, an old poor women with her old clothes came to her.

“would you mind helping me?” asked the old women.

“What can I do for you ?” answered the youngest. “Please help me to bring me the water. I am very thirsty,” asked the old women again.

“sure, my pleasure,” said the youngest.

The sook the water right a way and gave it to the old women. She held earthenware flask with neck, so that the old lady could drink it easily.

“It’s really fresh, I am not thirsty anymore,” said the old lady.

Suddenly the old woman turned into a feiry. Apparently she changed her look to test youngest, how siceres was her heart.

“you are very beautiful, kind, polite and helpful, I can not give you a reward for you kindness.”

“forgive me, but I only want to help, specially those who need. As long as I can, then I will, ”  said the youngest politely.

“You are very nobel, and for your kindnees I will give you my bless, from now on, flower or gold will came out from your mouth for every word you say,” said the feiry.

After the feiry disappeared, the youngest went back home. Arrived home, instead of saying thank you, the mother and the sister were angry to her.

“what took you so long ha!!! Have you play around and fall a sleep? You are just lazy, “shouted the mother.

“I am sorry, I am late,” said the youngest.

Soon after she spoke, a miracle happened. From her mouth, came out two flowers, two shiny pearls and two beautiful jewels. Remarkable, apparently the feiry word was proven.

“My God what is this this all? am I dreaming or real ?” said the mother surprised. “I see pearl, jewel and flower came out from your mouth !!”

“My child, what is going on? how can this happen?” asked the mother curious.

For the first time in her life, she called the youngest, "My child” the mother insisted to know the truth.

Innocently, the youngest started to tell her the story. While she was speaking, the flower, pearl and jewel came out from her mouth. It did not stop until she finished speaking.

“It is a miracle,” said the mother.

“ I have to send my eldest down to the water sources so that she can get what the youngest get,” tricked the mother. Soon, she called the eldest,

"Came here my love. Look!, what came out from your sister’s mouth. There were jewelery come out from her mouth whenever she speak something. Don’t you want to have it too, my dear? Now you better go to  the water sources, and when you meet an old women, who will ask you to take the water, you have to do it !!” treat her well  and nice. It must be hard but you have to! remember my words!” said the mother to the eldest.

“It’s impossible, my sister will be happy if she see me in misery,” saud the eldest angry.

“Do not argue just go and obey my words!” shouted the mother again. Finally the eldest went to the water sources with hard feeling. She was angry and lazy. She took earthenware flask with a neck and spout made from silver.

Not long after that the eldest arrived at the water sources. Few minutes later an old woman with beautiful clothes came to her, just like her mother predicted.

“My child, would you mind taking the water for me?” asked the old woman.

“What did you say? I do not come here to help you taking the water! And what make you think you deserve to get my help? Go get yourself a water if you thirsty!” shouted the eldest.

“How could you? You are arrogant, impolite and rud. For that reason, I will give you my bless, from now on, will come out snake, and I disguisting  from frog from your mouth for every word you say”. Apperntly the old woman was a feiry who turned serself to test how good or bad people’s heart.

The next, the eldest went back home. Actually her mother was expecting her,

"Now, what is your story my dear?" asked her. And the eldest answered the question rude and impolite. Suddenly two frogs, two snakes came out from her mouth.

“Oh, oh, what is going on? how can this happen? It must be your sister’s trick. She has planed this before. I will punish her!" shouted the mother and she ran hurry to look for the youngest. When she met her, she bit and shouted at her,

"Damn you ! Do you want to hurt us?!?!" she bit and bit again, her mouth did not step shouting at her. Afraid by her mother and the sister, the youngest ran and hid herself in the wood.

When she hid in the wood, she met a prince charming who was hunting. Amazed by her beauty, the prince could not stand watching her crying. “My lady, what are you doing in this wood ? and why are you crying?”

“Your honour, my sister was the one who made me here”. Heat moment, the prince saw flowers, pearls and jewels came out from her mouth.

When the story finished, the prince began more interested on her. Not only beautiful, the youngest was also nice and kind. He began to fall in love with her. He believed that the youngest was the one he looked for. She deserved to be his wife. The prince asked the youngest to come to his palace, returned back with him. Meanwhile the eldest was rid by her own mother. In the end, the eldest lived in misery, poor and lost in the wood. Since that moment no body heard about her anymore.
READ MORE » The Frog and The Jewelery
 
© 2011 Story Telling