THE GOLDEN CUCUMBER

Long time ago, lived an old women named Mbok Sirni. She lived by herself because her husband
had long passed away and she had no children. Every day, she prayed to God would give her a
child. One night, when she was praying, a giant passed her house and heard her pray.
I can give you a child on one condition. You must give the child back to me when it is six years
old. The giant said to Mbok Sirni.
Mbok Sirni was so happy, she did not think about the risk of losing the child later and agreed to
take the giants offer. The giant then gave her a bunch of cucumber seeds.
The giant said, Plant it around your house.
In the morning, Mbok Sirni planted the seeds. The seeds grew within mere days, and blossomed
plentifully. Not longer after that, a big golden cucumber grew from plants. Carefully, Mbok Sirni
plucked the golden cucumber and carried it home. With caution and care, she sliced the
cucumber. She was very surprised to see a beautiful baby girl inside the cucumber. Then she
named the baby Timun Emas (it means Golden Cucumber).
Years passed by and Timun Emas has grew to become a lovely and beautiful girl. She was also
smart and kind. Mbok Sirni loved her very much. But she kept thinking about the time the giant
would take Timun Emas away from her. One night, Mbok Sirni had a dream. In order to save
Timun Emas from the giant, she had to meet the holy man who lived in Mount Gundul. The next
morning, Mbok Sirni took leave of Timun Emas to go to Mount Gundul. The holy man then gave
her four little bags, each one containing cucumber seeds, needles, salt, and shrimp paste.
Timun Emas can use these to protect herself, said the holy man to Mbok Sirni.
A few days later, the giant came to see Mbok Sirni about her promise.
Mbok Sirni! Where is Timun Emas? shouted the giant.

My daughter, take these bag with you. It can save you from the giant. Now, run through the
back door, said Mbok Sirni.
But the giant saw Timun Emas was running to the woods. The giant was angry. Starved and
enraged, he rushed toward Timun Emas. Mbok Sirni tried to stop him, but the giant was
unstoppable.
The giant was getting closer and closer, so Timun Emas opened the first bag she got from Mbok
Sirni. Inside the bag were cucumber seeds. She threw the seeds, and instantly they grew into
large cucumber field. But the giant ate them all, giving him more strength. As the giant was
getting close, Timun Emas took the second bag with needles inside and spilled the content
behind her. The needles turned into bamboo trees, sharp and thorny. The giants body was
scratched and bled.
Aaargh, Ill get you, Timun Emas! shouted the giant as he tried to get himself out from the
bamboo field. He made it and still chasing Timun Emas.
Timun Emas then reached the third bag and spilled the salt inside. The ground which the salt
touched turned into a deep sea. The giant almost drown and had to swim to cross the sea. After
some time, he managed to get out from the water. Timun Emas saw the giant was coming, so she
reached for the last bag. She took the shrimp paste and threw it. The shrimp paste became a big
swamp of boiling mud. The giant was trapped in the middle of the swamp. The mud slowly but
surely drowned him.
Helpless, he roared out, Help! Heeeeelp!
Then the giant drown and died. Timun Mas then immediately went home. Since then, Timun
Emas and Mbok Sirni live happily ever after.

THE LEGEND OF TANGKUBAN PERAHU

Long time ago in West Java, lived a beautiful girl named Dayang Sumbi. She was also smart and
clever. Her beauty and intelligence made a prince from the heavenly kingdom of Kahyangan
desire her as his wife. The prince asked permission from his father to marry Dayang Sumbi.
People from Kahyangan could never live side by side with humans, but his father approved on
one condition, when they had a child, the prince would transform into a dog. The prince accepted
the condition.
They get married and lived happily in the woods until Dayang Sumbi gave birth to a baby boy.
The prince then changed into a dog named Tumang. Their son is named Sangkuriang. He was
very smart and handsome like his father. One day, Sangkuriang was ordered by his mother to
hunting animal in the jungle for dinner. When in the jungle he saw a deer and he shooted it with
the bow. But unfortunately, his shoot was missed. And he tried again, but it was still missed.
Because of feeling tired and it was getting dark but he didnt get anything. He decided to kill
Tumang and gave its meat to his mother for dinner. After that, he came home and gave the meat
to his mother for cooking. Dayang Sumbi was happy with the meat but she realized something.
Where is Tumang, my son? asked her.
Sangkuriang looked very nervous, and falteringly he said He ..he ..he run away to the jungle,
mom. When we were hunting, he saw a rabbit and he tried to catch it, bbb..bb..but he didnt back
again. So, I decided to leave him.
No, no way. He always back home before evening. You must be lie? his mother replied.
And Sangkuriang said, Yeah, mom. I confess, I was lie. But why you look so worry? Whereas he
just a dog. We can pet another dog if we want.
His mother was silent and she didnt answered it. Instead she asked again, So, what meat it is ?
It doesnt look like the meat usually you get.

Sangkuriang was getting more nervous and he said, That is Tumang meat. I am sorry, mom. I
did it because I was afraid, we didnt have anything for dinner.
You are foolish. You have killed your father. Tumang is your father, you know. Her mother
yelled.
Her mother was very mad and she grabbed a weaving tool and hit Sangkuriangs head with it.
She didnt pay any attention to Sangkuriang and started to cry. Sangkuriang feel sad and also
confused. How can his mother love a dog more than him? Then Sangkuriang decided to go away
from his home and went on a journey.
In the morning, Dayang Sumbi finally stopped crying. She started to feel better, so she went to
find Sangkuriang. But her son was nowhere to be found. She looked everywhere but still
couldnt find him. Finally, she went home with nothing. She was exhausted. She felt asleep, and
in her dream, she met her husband.
Dayang Sumbi, dont be sad. Go look for my body in the woods and get the heart. Soak it with
water, and use the water to bathe, and you will look young forever, said the prince in her dream.
After bathing with the water used to soak the dogs heart, Dayang Sumbi looked more beautiful
and even younger.
Long time after that, Sangkuriang on his journey stopped at a village and met and fell in love
with a beautiful girl. He didnt realize that the village was his homeland and the beautiful girl
was his own mother, Dayang Sumbi. Their love grew naturally. One day, Sangkuriang asked
Dayang Sumbi to fix the turban on his head and he also asked her to marry him. Dayang Sumbi
was startled when she saw a scar on his head at the same place where she hit Sangkuriang on the
head.
Sangkuriang asked her ,Would you marry me?
Dayang Sumbi was very shocked and absolutely she rejected it, instead she said, Yy..yes I will,
but I have a requirement before you marry me. If you can do it I will marry with you, but if you
can not, absolutely I wont.

Okay, what is the requirement? answered Sangkuriang.

You must make a huge ark before the peep of dawn. I want it to be done within one night!
Requested Dayang sumbi.
Okay, its easy for me. Replied Sangkuriang.
Sangkuriang accepted this condition without a doubt. Before he made an ark, he asked the genies
to help him, because he thought it was impossible to make an huge ark only a night. With their
help, everything can be easily done.
When it was getting dark, Sangkuriang and the genies started make an ark, and in the midnight
Sangkuriang and the genies almost finished their job. Dayang Sumbi, who had been spying on
him, realised that Sangkuriang would fulfill the condition she had set. So, it made Dayang Sumbi
worry, she decided to woke all the women in the village and asked them to wave a long red scarf.
All the women in the village were waving red scarf, making it look as if dawn was breaking.
Deceived by false dawn, the cock crowed and farmers rose for the new day.
At the time, Sangkuriang was an upset, bewildered, and looked so stress. He knew the sun should not
come out yet. He knew he had been tricked. Out of anger, he kicked the ark to the forest and landed on the
ground in upside-down position. The ark then became a mountain, called Mount Tangkuban Perahu
(Tangkuban means upturned or upside down, and Perahu means boat). With his power, he destroyed the
dam. The water drained from the lake becoming a wide plain.

TOBA LAKE
Once upon a time there was a prosperous village in a far away island called Sumatra. In northern
part of the island, lived a farmer whose name was Toba. He lived alone in a hut by a small forest.

He worked on his farmland to grow rice and vegetables that he sold to local market. Once day he
wanted to catch some fish so he went to a river and fished there. He was very surprised when he
got a big fish. The fish was as big as human being. Soon he went home and put the fish in his
kitchen. He planned to cook the fish for his dinner that night. When he got to his house that
afternoon he took a bath. Then as he walked into his bedroom after taking a bath Toba was very
shocked. There was a very beautiful girl who stood in his living room. The girl greeted him
nicely. For a moment Toba was speechless. When he could control his emotion he asked her.
Toba was really shocked and he asked her, Who are you? Whats your name? Why suddenly you
are here in my house?
Im sorry if I surprised you Toba, but you took me here. I was the fish that you caught in the
river. Now that I become a human being again, I would like to thank you and I will be your
servant to express my thankfulness. Replied the girl
Are you the fish? asked Toba again
Yes, I am the fish. Look at your kitchen. Answered the girl
Toba immediately rushed to his kitchen and the fish was nowhere to be seen. He saw some gold
coins instead.
Whose coins are these? Why there are some coins here? he said
She answered, Those coins are mine. As I changed into human being my scales changed into
gold coins.
Toba said, Ok you can live here and work for me. Your room is over there
Thank you very much Toba. She said
Everyday toba was accompanied by the girl. Toba was happy for that. Until one day, he asked the
girl to get married. But, the girl gave a requiretmen.

I am agree to be your wife, but dont ever tell my secret, my condition that I was a fish, said
the girl.
Toba agreed the girls requiretmen. And then they got married. Toba was happy to have such a
beautiful wife. They lived happily because they loved each other.
Years gone by. Tobas wife was pregnant and then not so long after that she gave birth. Toba was
so happy. The baby was a boy, named Samosir. They took care their only child. They showered
the boy with love. It seemed that they were happy family.
7 years later,
The mother spoiled the boy too much. No wonder, Samosir became spoiled child. He didnt want
to help his father to work on farm. He only stayed at home doing nothing. He was a very lazy
boy. One day the mother asked Samosir to bring lunch for his father who worked in a farm.
Usually the mother did his job. But, because she was very busy and didnt have time to bring the
lunch for her husband.

Samosir my dear, please take this lunch for your father in the farm. He must be very hungry
now. I cant bring it for him, there is something else I want to do! asked the mother.

No, I cant! Samosir refused.

Why, dont you want to help me? asked the mother.

I want to play with my friends, mom! said Samosir.

Mother was angry to hear that. She was so upset and threatened Samosir if he didnt do what
shes asked. She wouldnt give samosir lunch. Because of his mothers anger, he felt forced to do
what his mothers request.
All right, mom. I will bring it to my father, Samosir said.

Samosir went to his fathers farm. But he grumbled continously as he wanted to play with his
friends. On the way to his fathers farm, he ate the lunch little by little. He felt hungry, too.
Because of this, theres just a little lunch left. Meanwhile, the day was getting hot. Toba decided
to rest under the tree. He felt thirsty and hungry. He asked himself why his wife didnt bring
lunch for him. Waiting in a hungry was such a terrible thing for Toba. He got angry that time.
Finally he saw somebody in a distance. He hoped the somebody was his wife who brought lunch
for him. But, he was surprised to see Samosir, his son, who came to the farm.

What do you do here, my son. Where is your mother? Why she didnt bring my lunch? Toba
said angrily.

Mother is busy to do other things. So, she asked me to bring this lunch for you said Samosir
while gave the lunch to his father.

Toba took the lunch quickly as he couldnt bear his hunger anymore. But, when he saw the lunch
box, he was surprised. The lunch was no more left.

What? Where is the lunch ? Why this box is empty ? Toba said angrily.

I am sorry, dad. On the way here, I ate your lunch little by little. I am so hungry. Samosir
answered with anxiety.

Youre really a bad boy. Why are you doing this? I am really hungry, you know? Toba
snapped at Samosir.

I am sorry, dad. I am really sorry for that! Samosir said apologize.

You are rebellious child. You are lazy, useless!!! Toba got angry.
He felt really upset whit his son. And, suddenly he said something rude that actually was
forbidden.Your manner is like a little animal. It is because your mother spoiled you. You are so
naughty. Well, it is because your mother is a fish. So you are like her. Go away from here Toba
didnt realize that what he said was so rude. He was forbidden to tell about Samosirs mothers
origin.

Samosir was so sad to hear what his fathers said. He was badly hurt. He cried continuosly. His
mother asked why Samosir cried. Samosir said that his father was angry to him. Its because he
ate his fathers lunch. He also told what his father had said to him. Samosirs mother was
shocked. She was also deeply hurt because Toba had broken his promise.

Now, all you have to do is climb the highest tree and stay there. There will be a huge flood and

this velley will be sink and disappear. There will be great disaster here, the beautiful girl said.

Really, mom! How do you know? Samosir asked.

Well, you must obey my advice without complaining, the beautiful girl told his son.

After that, Samosir went away and climbed the highest tree in the village. He stayed there,
obeyed his mothers instruction. He still didnt know why his mother told him to do this. He just
waited what happened next.
As soon as she finished saying that suddenly the weather changed. Sunny day suddenly turned into cloudy
day. Not long after that the rain poured heavily. The rain last for several days. Consequently the area was
flooded. Meanwhile, Toba, who was still in his farm shocked with this disaster. He couldnt save himself.
He was drown by the flood and finally died. And, the spoiled child, Samosir, although he climbed the
highest tree, he still couldnt save himself from this great disaster. He died as his parents. His body was
floating. And then became small island which now was called Samosir Island. And, the village was sink
and became a huge lake. This lake was named as Tobas name, that is Lake Toba.

HANGING ROCK
Once, in a rural village next to Lake Toba North Sumatera, there lived a husband and a wife with
a beautiful daughter named Seruni. Not only beautiful, Seruni was also very diligent in helping
her parents in the field. Every day this family worked in this field on the edge of Lake Toba, and
the outcomes are used for their daily needs.

One day, Seruni went to the field alone, because his parents went to a neighboring village. Seruni
was only accompanied by her beloved dog named Toki's. Arriving at the farm, she didnt work
but she just sat there looking at the natural beauty of Lake Toba as if she had solved a difficult
problem. While the dog, the Toki, came sitting next to her, staring at her face as if he knew what
Seruni thought. Once in a while the dog barked to distract Seruni, but she is not teased.

The last few days Seruni looked glum. She was very sad, because she was given in marriage by
her parents with a young man who was his cousin. Though she had chosen his loved man and she
had promised to live together with him. She was very confused. On the other hand, she did not
want to disappoint her parents, and she could not afford to part with her love. Because of being
unable to bear the heavy burden, she was getting hopeless.

"O God! I am not able to live with this burden, "complained the Seruni.

A few moments later, Seruni moved from his seat. With tears, she walked slowly toward the
Lake Toba. Apparently she wanted to end his life by jumping into the lake's and the Toki,
followed his master from behind while barking. With a mind raging, Seruni walked toward the
cliffs of Lake Toba without paying attention to the road in its path. Unexpectedly, she suddenly
fell into a hole. The rocky ground that made the hole was getting dark. Seruni girl is very scared.

Help.. Help.. Help.., Toki! Seruni voice asking for help to her beloved dog. The Toki

understood if Seruni required his help, but he could not do anything except just barking at the
hole. Seruni screamed several times for help, but the Toki really could not afford helping her.
Finally she was getting desperate.
"Ah, I'd rather die than live a long time to suffer," Seruni resigned

Rock walls were moving ever closer.

"Parapat...! Parapat Parapat ... "ordered Seruni to press her body with the stone

Being unable to help Seruni, Toki immediately ran home to ask for helping. Arriving at the
master's house, he immediately went to Seruni parents.

"Auggg ...! auggg ...! auggg ... "Toki's barking while clawing at the ground to tell the parents that
the Seruni in danger.

"Toki, where is Seruni? What happened to her? "Asked the father to the dog's Seruni.
"Auggg ...! auggg ...! auggg ...! "he continued barking and ran back and forth to invite them to a
place.

It looks like Seruni in danger," said the mother of Seruni.

"Mom was right. The Toki invites us to follow, "said the father of Seruni.
"But how do we get there? "Said the mother.

"You prepare a torch! I'll be looking for help to neighbors, "cried the father.

Soon, the whole neighborhood had gathered at the home page Seruni's father, carrying the torch.
After that they followed the Toki to the scene. Once they were in the field, the Toki directly
toward the mouth of the hole.

Both parents of Seruni immediately approached the mouth of the hole. What a surprise when
they saw a hole big enough rock on the edge of their field. In the pit was heard the faint sound of
a woman: "Parapat ...! Parapat Parapat stone ...! "
"Sir, listen to that voice! That voice is of our child! Serunis mother cried frantically.

"Yes, ma'am! That sounds Seruni! "Replied the father panic.

"But, why would he shout: Parapat, parapatlah stone?" Asked the mother.

"I do not know, mom! It seems like there's something wrong in there, "said the father anxiously.
A Farmer was trying to light up the hole with a torch, but the bottom of the hole was so deep that
it cant be penetrated by torchlight

"Seruniii ...! Seruniii ...! "Cried the father of Seruni.

"Seruni ... my daughter! The mother and father came to help you! "Her mother shouted.
Several times they yelled, but they did not get a response from Seruni. Only voice drifted Seruni
who sent the stone closer to squeezing.

"Parapat ...! Parapat stone ! Parapat! "

"Seruniiii, my daughter!" Once again the mother screaming and crying hysterically Seruni.

People in attendance at the place were trying to help. One held ropes to the bottom of the hole,
but the slap was not touched at all. Seruni's father increasingly concerned with the state of her
father. He also decided to follow her foray into the rock pit.

"Mom, hold the torch!" Command of the father.

"Where do you want to go?" Asked the mother.

"I'm following the Seruni into the hole," he replied firmly.

"No dad, it's dangerous!" Prevent the mother.

"Yes sir, the hole was very deep and dark," said people

A moment later, suddenly heard a roar. The earth shook violently as if to an end. Rock hole
suddenly closes itself. The cliffs at the edge of Lake Toba was falling. Seruni's father and mother
and all the people ran thither to escape. They left the mouth of the hole the rock, so that poor
Seruni could not be rescued from the crush of rock.

Some time after the earthquake stopped, suddenly appeared a large rock that resembles a girl's
body and as if hanging on the wall of the cliff at the edge of Lake Toba. Local people believe that
the stone is the embodiment Seruni oppressed in the hole. By those stones were then given the
name "Hanging Rock". (BATU GANTUNG)

A few days later, fame spread the word about the events that befall her. The people flocked to the
scene to see the "Hanging Rock" is. Residents who witnessed the incident told other people that
before the hole was closed, a voice: "... Parapat Parapat parapat stone ...!"

CIUNG WANARA STORY

Long time ago in west Java there was a kingdom called Galuh. The ruler was King Barma
Wijaya Kusuma. He had two wives Pohaci Naganingrum and Dewi Pangreyep. At that time
both of them were pregnant. The king was very happy when Dewi Pangreyep gave birth to a
baby boy. The king named him Hariang Banga. He was a handsome boy.
Several months later Pohaci Naganingrum also gave birth. Dewi Pangreyep helped her during
the birth process but she had an evil plan. She had prepared a baby dog and gave it to Pohaci.
Then she put the baby in a box and had it thrown to a river. Lengser, the man who received the
order to throw the baby in a river, put him in a safe box and gave an egg. Meanwhile Dewi
Pangreyep reported to the king that Pohaci had given birth to a baby dog.
Oh, Your Majesty, Pohaci is an evil woman. Last night he gave birth but her baby is a dog!
They are sinners. God had punished them. This a shame for Your majesty the King and the
whole kingdom
The king was shocked and very angry to hear that. He thought it was a shame for the royal
family. So he ordered his soldier to kill Pohaci and the baby.
There is no place here for sinners. They must go to hell
Then the king called his servant , Lengser.
Lengser ! Bring them to the wood and kill them!
Yes, Your Majesty
Lengser, who had to carry out the order, did not dare to do it. He saved Pohaci instead. Then
Pohaci lived in a remote village.
Meanwhile in a village by the river lived a couple of husband and wife. Aki Balangantran lived
with his wife Nini Balangantran. Several years had passed after their marriage but still they had
no children. Day and night they prayed to god to ask for children. One night Nini was dreaming
that she saw a full moon. Aki interpreted the dream that they would receive provision from god.
The next morning Aki went to a river with his net to fish. Suddenly something caught his

attention. In the middle of the river there was a wooden box floating on the water. Then he
grabbed it. He was shocked when he saw a baby inside it. He brought the baby home and gave
him a name of Ciung Wanara. In Sundanese language Ciung means bird and Wanara means
monkey. They were very happy since they had no children.
Several years later Ciung Wanara grew up to be a handsome and smart boy. The egg had become
a cock. Ciung loved cock fighting. He went everywhere to play cock fighting game. His cock
was so quick and strong that it won all of its fights. Soon he and his cock became famous in
Galuh. Everybody knew them.
Then the king of Galuh who had many cocks and also loved cock fighting heard the news. So he
ordered Lengser, his faithful assistant, to find the boy. As Lengser got to Ciungs house he was
surprised to see the box. He realized that it was the box he threw into the river some years
earlier. When he asked Ciungs father he was sure that Ciung was the kings son from Pohaci
Naganingrum. That time he wanted to do a good deed for Ciung. Then he told Ciung that the
king invited him to palace for a cock fight. He also told ciung to ask for the kingdom if his cock
win the fight. Ciung agreed so they went to palace immediately.
Later in the palace of Galuh, Ciung told the king that he had a condition for the cock fight. If
his cock wins, he wants the king to give him his kingdom. If he his cock loose, then he will give
his head. The king agreed because he was sure that his cock would win. Then in a fierce fight
Ciungs cock won the fight. Everybody was surprised. The king had no choice. He had to keep
his words and give his kingdom to ciung Wanara. Then Lengser told the king that ciung was
actually hing own son from Pohaci naganingrum. He revealed Dewi Pangreyeps evil action.
The king was shocked and very angry. He ordered his soldiers to arrest and punish Dewi
Pangreyep. This event made Prince Hariang Banga got very angry. He quickly attacked Ciung
Wanara. Finally the king decided to divide his kingdom into two parts. The border was
Cipamali river. The west of the river was given to Hariang Banga while Ciung Wanara ruled the
eastern part of the kingdom.
MEDUSA

Many years ago there was a beautiful women called Medusa. She lived in a place called Athens
in Greece. She was a very kind and she obeyed her Greek gods and goddesses. Even though
there was pretty girls there, Medusa was one of them. Every single day Medusa always boasted
about her self. She says to other people, she is the most prettiest out of everyone in the whole
wide world.
On Sunday, Medusa told the miller that her skin is more beautiful then fresh white snow. On
Monday, she babbled the cobbler that her hair is brighter than the sun. On Tuesday, she
commented the blacksmith's son that her eyes are greener than Aegean sea. On Wednesday, she
boasted to the public that her lips are redder than the reddest rose in the world.
When Medusa wasn't busy she would boast about her self while looking in a mirror. She thought
she was the prettiest woman in the whole wide world. She admired her self.
On and on Medusa went about her beauty to anyone and everyone who stopped long enough to
hear her. Until one day Medusa and her friends went to the Parthenon. It was Medusa's first time
going to the Parthenon. The Parthenon was the biggest temple in Greece. In the Parthenon was
the goddess of wisdom and beauty and that was Athena. There was statues of most of the gods
and goddesses in the Greek culture. All the people who went there obeyed Athena, all except
Medusa.
Medusa saw all the statues and she whispered "Whoever did this statue do a good job but it
would look better if I was the statues."
Every picture she saw she said that the person did a good job but she would look better in the
picture and she is so delicate.
When Medusa reached the altar she sighed happily and said, "My this is a beautiful temple. It is
a shame it is wasted on Athena for I am much prettier than she is, perhaps one day people will
build an even grander temple to my beauty."

Then Medusa's friend grew pale. The priestesses heard what Medusa said and they gasped. The
roomer went really quickly through the whole temple and everyone started to leave. Everyone
knew Athena will get angry if anyone compared her to someone else.
Before long the temple was empty of everyone except Medusa, who was so busy gazing proudly
at her reflection in the large bronze doors that she hadn't noticed the fast departure of everyone
else. While Medusa was gazing the figure changes. The figure changed into goddess Athena.
Vain and foolish girl. You think your a prettier girl than me. While other people are working,
playing or learning you just boast about your self. Medusa there is more to life than beauty alone
you see. Athena shouted angrily
Medusa tried to point out that her beauty was an inspiration to those around her and that she
made their lives better by simply looking so lovely, but Athena silenced her with an angry wave.
"Nonsense," screamed Athena "One day beauty will fade away. But I will make it fade away now
and all your loveliness will be gone forever."
When Athena uttered those words Medusa turned into a terrible monster. Her hair thickened into
hissing snakes and body turned into a snake.
"Are you happy for what I have done? Now anyone who looks in your eyes will now turn into
stone and no one will be able to save them," snapped Athena, "Even you, Medusa, should you
seek your reflection, will turn to rock the moment you see your face."
Athena then sent Medusa with her hair of snakes to live with the blind monsters, the gorgon
sisters, at the end of the earth, so that no innocent people would be turned to stone at the sight of
her by accident.

LA LLORONA

Long years ago in a humble little village there lived a fine looking girl named Maria. She was the
most beautiful girl in the world! And because she was so beautiful, Maria thought she was better
than everyone else.
As Maria grew older, her beauty increased and her pride in her beauty grew too. When she was a
young woman, she would not even look at the young men from her village. They weren't good
enough for her!
"When I marry," Maria would say, "I will marry the most handsome man in the world."
And then one day, into Maria's village rode a man who seemed to be just the one she had been
talking about. He was a dashing young ranchero, the son of a wealthy rancher from the southern
plains. He could ride like a Comanche! In fact, if he owned a horse, and it grew tame, he would
give it away and go rope a wild horse from the plains. He thought it wasn't manly to ride a horse
if it wasn't half wild.
He was handsome and could play the guitar and sing beautifully. Maria made up her mind-that
was, the man for her! She knew just the tricks to win his attention.
If the ranchero spoke when they met on the pathway, she would turn her head away. When he
came to her house in the evening to play his guitar and serenade her, she wouldn't even come to
the window. She refused all his costly gifts. The young man fell for her tricks.
"That haughty girl, Maria, Maria! " he said to himself. "I know I can win her heart. I swear I'll
marry that girl."
And so everything turned out as Maria planned. Before long, she and the ranchero became
engaged and soon they were married. At first, things were fine. They had two children and they
seemed to be a happy family together. But after a few years, the ranchero went back to the wild
life of the prairies. He would leave town and be gone for months at a time. And when he returned
home, it was only to visit his children. He seemed to care nothing for the beautiful Maria. He
even talked of setting Maria aside and marrying a woman of his own wealthy class.

As proud as Maria was, of course she became very angry with the ranchero. She also began to
feel anger toward her children, because he paid attention to them, but just ignored her.
One evening, as Maria was strolling with her two children on the shady pathway near the river,
the ranchero came by in a carriage. An elegant lady sat on the seat beside him. He stopped and
spoke to his children, but he didn't even look at Maria. He whipped the horses on up the street.
When she saw that, a terrible rage filled Maria, and it all turned against her children. And
although it is sad to tell, the story says that in her anger Maria seized her two children and threw
them into the river! But as they disappeared down the stream, she realized what she had done!
She ran down the bank of the river, reaching out her arms to them. But they were long gone.
The next morning, a traveler brought word to the villagers that a beautiful woman lay dead on
the bank of the river. That is where they found Maria, and they laid her to rest where she had
fallen.
But the first night Maria was in the grave, the villagers heard the sound of crying down by the
river. It was not the wind, it was La Llorona crying. "Where are my children?" And they saw a
woman walking up and down the bank of the river, dressed in a long white robe, the way they
had dressed Maria for burial. On many a dark night they saw her walk the river bank and cry for
her children. And so they no longer spoke of her as Maria. They called her La Llorona, the
weeping woman. And by that name she is known to this day. Children are warned not to go out
in the dark, for, La Llorona might snatch them and never return them.

Telaga Warna

Long long ago, there was a kingdom in West Java. The kingdom was ruled by a king named
His Majesty Prabu.Prabu was a kind and wise king. But it was a pity that Prabu and his queen
hadn't got any children. The queen often cried. That was why Prabu went to the jungle. There he
prayed to God every day, begging for a child.
A few months later, the queen got pregnant. Nine months later, a princess was born. Prabu and
Queen loved their beautiful daughter so much. They gave whatever she wanted. It made Princess
turn into a very spoiled girl.One day, the princess celebrated her 17th birthday party. Many people
gathered in the palace. Then, Prabu took out a necklace which was made from gold and jewel.
"My beloved daughter, today I give you this necklace. Please, wear this necklace,"
said Prabu.
"I don't want to wear it! It's ugly!" shouted the princess.
Then she threw the necklace. The beautiful necklace was broken. The gold and jewels were
spread out on the floor. Everybody couldn't say anything. They never thought that their beloved
princess would do that cruel thing. In their silence, people heard the queen crying. Every woman
felt sad and began crying, too. Then, everybody was crying. Then, there was a miracle. Earth
was crying.
Suddenly, from the underground, a spring emerged. It made a pool of water. Soon, the place
became a big lake. The lake finally sank the kingdom. Nowadays, people called the lake "Telaga
Warna". It means "Lake of Color". On a bright day, the lake is full of color. These colors come
from shadows of forest, plants, flowers, and sky around the lake. But some people said that the
colors are from the princess's necklace, which spreads at the bottom of the lake.

Aioga Story

Everybody agreed that Aioga was a very beautiful girl. In fact, the villagers told her that she was
the most beautiful girl in their village. This made Aioga vain. She became proud of her beauty
and each day looked at herself in the mirror. She liked her looks so much that daily she went to
look at herself in the stream that ran past her house.
One day, her mother asked her to wash the dishes. Aioga spent so much time admiring
her reflection in the dishes that her mother was annoyed. Aioga, youre becoming too vain and
lazy. You do nothing but admire yourself each day. This has got to stop. Even our neighbours are
complaining. They say that youve become proud and wont even talk to their daughters. You
make me so ashamed.
Aioga sulked and refused to do any more work. She thought her mother was treating her
badly. She became even lazier. Each day, she lay in bed until the sun was high in the sky. Her
mother did not know what to do with her.
Aioga, please go to the stream and fetch some water. I want to bake some cakes for tea,
said her mother.
But I may fall into the water, said Aioga.
Her mother sighed. She was slowly losing patience with her daughter. Hold on to a bush
and you wont fall in.
But the bush may fall into the stream, complained her daughter.
But all the bushes by the stream have thorns and I may scratch my pretty hands, said
the girl.
Her mother grew steadily more impatient. Aioga, put on your mittens. Theyll not only
keep you warm but will also stop you from getting scatched. Aioga then complained that her
mittens were torn. Her mother then handed her a needle and thread.
What if the needle breaks?" asked the girl. Aioga did not sew her mittens but instead
spent the time looking at herself in the mirror.
Her mother was very angry with her, and when her husband returned from work, she
spoke to him about their daughter. He was angry too when he heard what his wife had told him,
so he sent for Aioga. Aioga, go this minute and get a really thick needle from the workbasket
and mend your mittens, he said.
But, Papa, what if the needle pricks my finger?
You can use a thimble made of strong skin, he said.

But if the thimble is pierced Ill hurt my finger, said the girl.
Aiogas younger sister, who was good and sweet-natured, came into the room. Cheerfully,
she offered to fetch the water. She ran to the stream, filled the bucket and then helped her mother
bake some cakes. When Aioga saw the lovely golden cakes, her mouth began to water. They
looked delicious.
Mother, give me some cakes, she said.
Theyre hot and youll burn your fingers, said her mother. Ill put on my mittens.
But your mittens are torn. Besides, theyre damp as you did not dry them out yesterday
after playing in the snow, said her mother.
Ill dry them now before the fire, said the girl.
No, drying them out too quickly will make them stiff. And you wont be able to hold the
cakes, said her mother.
Aioga was hungry and the cakes smelled so delicious. Ill soften them with some wax,
she said.
But your hands will get dirty. Why should you work and spoil your looks? It would be
better if I gave the cake to your sister who doesnt mind using her hands, said Aiogas mother.
When she saw her mother give her sister the cake, Aioga ran out of the house to the
stream. She was very angry as she thought that her mother was very unfair. She saw her sister
enjoying the cake and turned to stare angrily at her. Aioga, please dont be angry. Ill share my
cake with you, she said. Her sister was only trying to be kind but Aioga was proud. How could
she, the village beauty, accept a half-eaten cake! She turned round and slapped her sister hard.
Go away. I dont want anything from you. Just leave me alone. Aioga began to hit her
sister again. Suddenly, she lost her balance and fell into the stream. The Goddess of the Stream
who had seen Aioga treat her sister badly, changed her into a goose. All day long Aioga, the
goose, swam around in the stream. Gal Gal What a beauty I am, she said, looking at herself in
the stream.
As time went by she forgot how to speak. All she remembered was her name, and
whenever she saw anyone, she would say, Ai-oga! Ai-oga! so that all would remember the
village beauty who turned into a goose.

The Legend Of Rawa Pening

Once upon a time in old Java there was a village. Pening was its name. Pening was a prosperous
village. The land was fertile and the weather was always good all year round. It was on the slope
of Mount Merbabu so the climate was cool. People made their living by cultivating rice,
vegetables and fruits. The harvest was always satisfying. So all of them lived a happy life. Thats
why once a year they held a ceremony called Bersih desa . It was a kind of thanks giving day.
It was a day when they express their thankfulness to God for a successful harvest. They would
clean their village and then they would pray together. At night they would have a dinner together
and held teater performances.

One day after a succesful harvest they would celebrate it. That time they wanted something
special. They wanted more meat for dinner. So they went hunting in a wood. Just outside of the
village there was a wood where there were many animals like deer, buffalo, mouse deer, lamb
and many other. But that day there was no animal at all. Animals were nowhere to be seen. They
had searched every inch of the wood but still their effort were in vain. When it was almost dark,
they were very tired so they took a rest. They sat on something that look like a rock and a big
root. Everybody was silent because they were exhausted and disappointed. Then suddenly
someone chopped the big root with his sword to relief his disappointment. Amazingly there was
blood coming out of the root. They were surprised.
Someone tried to chop it deeper. He found meat ! So they chopped more and more. After their
bags were full of meat they were satisfied. Then they went home happily. That night the people
of Pening were preparing a big dinner. They wanted a special dinner with the meat they got from
the wood. Just as they were preparing dinner, a boy came to the village. He looked poor. He
begged food to some people. But they refused. Someone said :
We are preparing dinner. You may come to our dinner tonight. But not now.
But I am very hungry, please.
Just come here tonight.
But then there was an old widow who took care of him. She was just a poor widow. She gave
him food and shelter.
You may take a rest here. Join us tonight for dinner.
Thank you very much. You are very kind to me. You are the only one who helped me. Thats
why I will save you. Tonight there will be a great event here.
Yes, there will be a great party.
No, I mean something special
What do you mean?
I cannot say now. But listen to me. Prepare a boat for you
Why? What will happen?
Just do as I say
Please tell me what will happen?
OK, you are very kind to me so I will tell you but please promise me you wont tell anyone.

OK, I promise
I am Naga Baru Klinting. I am a dragon. I was meditating in the slope of Mount Merbabu when
your people hurt me. They hurt me by chopping my body. Now they are preparing dinner with
meat from my body. So I will take my revenge tonight, but I will save you. Prepare a boat for
you.
Oh, please dont do that. Forgive my people
Whatever will be , will be. Good bye.
Then the boy left. Just before the dinner began at the village hall some boys were playing in the
yard. Suddenly a boy came to them.
Hi guys a have a game for you
Then he held a small bamboo and attached it to the ground.
If you can pull it, I will give you a special present
Oh, thats very easy, a boy said.
He tried to pull it but it was very strong so he could not pull it. Another boy tried but he also
failed. Everybody failed. Then this game drew adults attention. One by one they tried to pull but
all of them could not make it. When many people gathered then the boy said.
O people of Pening. I am Naga Baru Klinting. I am a dragon. I was meditating in the slope of
mount Merbabu when you chopped me. Now I will take my revenge. Enjoy your party. Then he
pulled the bamboo. Amazingly, water poured from the ground. The water
immediately flooded the village. Finally the whole village sank under water. They were all
drowned and died in the lake. There was only one survivor. The poor old widow. She had
prepared a simple boat so she could survive. Since then on the lake is called Rawa Pening. Rawa
means lake in Javanese and Indonesian language. Today the lake is located in the province of
central Java, Indonesia.