LUTUNG KASARUNG

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

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

After the discussion, Purbararang went back to her room. “Is there something wrong?” asked Indrajaya. Indrajaya is Purbararang’s future husband. “I’m upset! Father chose Purbasari as his successor and not me! I have to do something!” Purbararang said. Driven mad by her anger, she came to a witch and asked her to send rash all over Purbasari’s body. Before going to bed, Purbasari started to feel itch all over her body. She tried applying powder to her body, but it’s no use. Instead, the itching grew even worse. She didn’t want to scratch it, but she just couldn’t help it. In the next morning, there were scratch mark all over Purbasari’s body. “What happened to you?” asked Purbararang, pretending to be concerned. “I don’t know, sis. Last night, my body suddenly felt very itchy. I scratched and scratched, and this is what happened,” Purbasari answered. Purbararang shook her head. “You must have done something really awful. You’ve been punished by the gods!”

That day, the whole kingdom was scandalized. “What have you done, Purbasari?” demanded Prabu Tapa Agung. Purbasari shook her head. “I didn’t do anything that would upset the gods, Father,” she answered. “Then how can you explain what happened to your body?” Prabu Tapa Agung asked again. “If you don’t confess, I’ll banish you to the woods.” Purbasari took a deep breath. “Like I said before, I didn’t do anything wrong. And I’d rather be thrown into the woods than to confess to a deed I didn’t commit.”

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

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

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

The news of Purbasari’s condition quickly spread to the kingdom, irritating Purbararang. She then accompanied by Indrajaya go to the woods to see Purbasari. Purbasari asked if she would be allowed to go home. Purbararang said she would let Purbasari return to the palace if Purbasari’s hair were longer than hers. Purbararang then let her hair down. It was so long, it almost touched the ground. But it turned out that Purbasari’s hair was twice longer than Purbararang’s hair.

“Fine, so your hair is longer than mine.” Purbararang admitted. “But there is one more condition you must fulfill, do you have a future husband who is handsomer than mine?” said Purbararang as she walked toward Indrajaya. Purbasari felt miserable. She didn’t have a future husband yet. So, without much thought, she pulled the black monkey beside her.

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

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

SANGKURIANG

On one day, as usual Sangkuriang go into the woods to hunt. Once when he got in the woods, Sangkuriang start looking for prey. He saw there was a bird that was perched on the branch, and then without thinking Sangkuriang shot, and right on target. Sangkuriang then ordered to chase quarry Tumang earlier, but the Tumang silent and refused to follow orders Sangkuriang. Because very annoyed at Tumang, and then drove Tumang Sangkuriang and not allowed to go home with him again.

At home, Sangkuriang told the incident to her mother. Upon hearing the story of her son, Dayang Sumbi very angry. She took a spoon of rice, and struck to the head Sangkuriang. Because the treatment was disappointed with his mother, then Sangkuriang decided to go wandering, and left the house.

After the incident, Dayang Sumbi deeply regretted his actions. He prayed every day, and ask that one day could see her son again. Because of the seriousness of these Sumbi Dayang prayer, then God gave him a gift of eternal beauty and youth forever. After many years Sangkuriang wandering, he eventually intends to return to his hometown. When I got there, he was very surprised at all, because his hometown had changed completely. Sangkuriang excitement grows as the time in the middle of the road met a woman who is very beautiful, which is none other than Dayang Sumbi.

Since the enchanted by her beauty, then direct Sangkuriang proposed. Finally an application is received by Dayang Sangkuriang Sumbi, and agreed to be married in the near future. On one day, Sangkuriang his future wife for permission to hunt on health. Before leaving, he asked Dayang Sumbi to tighten and straighten kapalanya tie.

Dayang Sumbi surprise, because when she smoothed Sangkuriang headband, he saw a scar. The scar is a scar similar to his son. When asked about the cause of the wound Sangkuriang it, Dayang Sumbi tekejut increases, because it is true that her husband was her own.

Dayang Sumbi very distraught, because he can not marry his own son. After Sangkuriang home hunting, Dayang Sumbi Sangkuriang tried totalkto,soSangkuriangcancel their wedding plans. Dayang Sumbi request is not approved Sangkuriang, and only considered the wind and just.

Dayang Sumbi every day thinking about how to order their wedding never happened. After thinking hard, Dayang Sumbi finally found the best way. He proposed two conditions to Sangkuriang.

If Sangkuriang can meet both these requirements, it would be Dayang Sumbi wife, but rather if the marriage fails then it will be canceled. The first requirement Dayang Sumbi wants Citarum river dammed. And the second is, ask Sangkuriang to make a very large boat to cross a river. Both conditions must be resolved before dawn. Sangkuriang second undertakes such request Sumbi Dayang, and pledged to finish before dawn. With the magic he has, and mobilize Sangkuriang friends from the jinn to help solve these tasks. Secretly, Dayang Sumbi peeking from Sangkuriang work. Surprise him, because Sangkuriang almost all conditions menyelesaiklan given Dayang Sumbi before dawn.

Dayang Sumbi then ask for help communities to spread out a red silk cloth in the east of the city. When he saw the color red in the east of the city, Sangkuriang thought that it was late morning. Sangkuriang immediately stopped work and was not able to meet the requirements that have been proposed by Dayang Sumbi. With a sense of annoyance and disappointment, and then break down the dam Sangkuriang who has made himself.

Because of it, the flood occurred and the whole city under water. Sangkuriang also kicked a big boat that has been made. The canoe was floated and fell face down, then became a mountain named Tangkuban Perahu.

A ROSE FROM HOMER’S GRAVE

All the songs of the east speak of the love of the nightingale for the rose in the silent starlight night. The winged

songster serenades the fragrant flowers.

Not far from Smyrna, where the merchant drives his loaded camels, proudly arching their long necks as they journey beneath the lofty pines over holy ground, I saw a hedge of roses. The turtle-dove flew among the branches of the tall trees, and as the sunbeams fell upon her wings, they glistened as if they were mother-of-pearl. On the rose-bush grew a flower, more beautiful than them all, and to her the nightingale sung of his woes; but the rose remained silent, not even a dewdrop lay like a tear of sympathy on her leaves. At last she bowed her head over a heap of stones, and said, “Here rests the greatest singer in the world; over his tomb will I spread my fragrance, and on it I will let my leaves fall when the storm scatters them. He who sung of Troy became earth, and from that earth I have sprung. I, a rose from the grave of Homer, am too lofty to bloom for a nightingale.” Then the nightingale sung himself to death. A camel-driver came by, with his loaded camels and his black slaves; his little son found the dead bird, and buried the lovely songster in the grave of the great Homer, while the rose trembled in the wind.

 

The evening came, and the rose wrapped her leaves more closely round her, and dreamed: and this was her

dream.

It was a fair sunshiny day; a crowd of strangers drew near who had undertaken a pilgrimage to the grave of Homer. Among the strangers was a minstrel from the north, the home of the clouds and the brilliant lights of the aurora borealis. He plucked the rose and placed it in a book, and carried it away into a distant part of the world, his fatherland. The rose faded with grief, and lay between the leaves of the book, which he opened in his own home, saying, “Here is a rose from the grave of Homer.”

 

Then the flower awoke from her dream, and trembled in the wind. A drop of dew fell from the leaves upon the singer’s grave. The sun rose, and the flower bloomed more beautiful than ever. The day was hot, and she was still in her own warm Asia. Then footsteps approached, strangers, such as the rose had seen in her dream, came by, and among them was a poet from the north; he plucked the rose, pressed a kiss upon her fresh mouth, and carried her away to the home of the clouds and the northern lights. Like a mummy, the flower now rests in his “Iliad,” and, as in her dream, she hears him say, as he opens the book, “Here is a rose from the grave of Homer.”

The Peasant in Heaven

Once upon a time a poor pious peasant died, and arrived before the gate of heaven. At the same time a very rich, rich lord came there who also wanted to get into heaven.

Then saint peter came with the key, and opened the door, and let the great man in, but apparently did not see the peasant, and shut the door again.

And now the peasant outside heard how the great man was received in heaven with all kinds of rejoicing, and how they were making music, and singing within.

At length all became quiet again, and saint peter came and opened the gate of heaven, and let the peasant in.

The peasant, however, expected that they would make music and sing when he went in also, but all remained quite quiet. He was received with great affection, it is true, and the angels came to meet him, but no one sang.

Then the peasant asked saint peter how it was that they did not sing for him as they had done when the rich man went in, and said that it seemed to him that there in heaven things were done with just as much partiality as on earth.

Then said saint peter, by no means, you are just as dear to us as anyone else, and will enjoy every heavenly delight that the rich man enjoys, but poor fellows like you come to heaven every day, but a rich man like this does not come more than once in a hundred years.

The Princess and The Pea

Once upon a time there was a prince who wanted to marry a princess; but she would have to be a real princess. He travelled all over the world to find one, but nowhere could he get what he wanted. There were princesses enough, but it was difficult to find out whether they were real ones. There was always something about them that was not as it should be. So he came home again and was sad, for he would have liked very much to have a real princess.

One evening a terrible storm came on; there was thunder and lightning, and the rain poured down in torrents. Suddenly a knocking was heard at the city gate, and the old king went to open it.

It was a princess standing out there in front of the gate. But, good gracious! what a sight the rain and the wind had made her look. The water ran down from her hair and clothes; it ran down into the toes of her shoes and out again at the heels. And yet she said that she was a real princess.

Well, we'll soon find that out, thought the old queen. But she said nothing, went into the bed-room, took all the bedding off the bedstead, and laid a pea on the bottom; then she took twenty mattresses and laid them on the pea, and then twenty eider-down beds on top of the mattresses.

On this the princess had to lie all night. In the morning she was asked how she had slept.

"Oh, very badly!" said she. "I have scarcely closed my eyes all night. Heaven only knows what was in the bed, but I was lying on something hard, so that I am black and blue all over my body. It's horrible!"

Now they knew that she was a real princess because she had felt the pea right through the twenty mattresses and the twenty eider-down beds.

Nobody but a real princess could be as sensitive as that.

So the prince took her for his wife, for now he knew that he had a real princess; and the pea was put in the museum, where it may still be seen, if no one has stolen it.

THE GINGERBREAD MAN

Once upon a time, an old woman and her husband lived alone in a little old house. The couple had no children, and being lonely, the woman decided to make a boy of gingerbread. She carefully mixed the batter, rolled out the dough, and cut out out a very nice gingerbread man. She added sugar icing for his hair, mouth, and clothes, and she used candy chips for buttons and eyes. What a fine looking gingerbread man he was! The old woman put him in the oven to bake. After he was fully done, she slowly opened the oven door. Up jumped the gingerbread man, and he ran out the door saying,
"Run, run, as fast as you can!
You can't catch me!
I'm the Gingerbread Man!"
The old woman and the old man ran after him, but they could not catch him.




And so the Gingerbread Man ran and ran. While he running, he met a cow.
"Moo," said the cow. "You look very fine! Fine enough to eat!" And the cow started to chase to little man.
But the Gingerbread Man ran faster, saying,
"I ran away from an old woman,
I ran away from an old man,
And I can run away from you!
I can!"

And he laughed,
"Run, run, as fast as you can!
You can't catch me!
I'm the Gingerbread Man!"
The cow ran after the Gingerbread Man, but she could not catch him.




The Gingerbread Man kept running, and soon he met a horse.
"Neigh," said the horse, "You look mighty tasty. I think that I would like to eat you."
"But you can't!" said the Gingerbread Man.
"I ran away from an old woman,
I ran away from an old man,
I ran away from a cow,
And I can run away from you!
I can!"

And so he ran singing,
"Run, run, as fast as you can!
You can't catch me!
I'm the Gingerbread Man!"
The horse ran after the Gingerbread Man, but he could not catch him.





The Gingerbread Man ran and ran, laughing and singing. While he ran, he met a chicken.
"Cackle, cackle," said the chicken, "You look fine enough to peck for dinner. I'm going to eat you, Mr. Gingerbread Man."
But the Gingerbread Man just laughed.
"I ran away from an old woman,
I ran away from an old man,
I ran away from a cow,
I ran away from a horse,
And I can run away from you!
I can!"

And so he ran singing,
"Run, run, as fast as you can!
You can't catch me!
I'm the Gingerbread Man!"
The chicken ran after the Gingerbread Man, but she could not catch him.


The Gingerbread Man was proud that he could run so fast.
"Nobody can catch me," he thought. So he kept on running until he met a fox.
He just had to tell the fox how he ran faster than all the others.


"Mr. Fox," he said,
"As tasty as I appear to be,
I cannot let you catch and eat me.
I ran away from an old woman,
I ran away from an old man,
I ran away from a cow,
I ran away from a horse,
I ran away from a chicken,
And I can run away from you!
I can!"
But Mr. Fox did not seem to care.

"Why would I want to bother you?" asked Mr. Fox. "You don't even look that tasty. No, young man, I don't want to eat you at all."
The Gingerbread Man was so relieved.

"Well, indeed, Mr. Fox," said the Gingerbread Man. "If you don't mind, I think I'll take a little rest here." And the Gingerbread Man stopped running and stood still.
And right when he stood still. Snap! went Mr. Fox's jaws right into the Gingerbread Man until he was gone.
"He was very tasty after all," thought the fox.