Folklore of Central Java - Timun Emas and the Green Giant

 Once upon a time, there was a poor widow who lived alone at the edge of the forest. Because of her age, the widow found it increasingly difficult to do her job.

Timun Emas and the Green Giant


Because he had to do it himself. From farming and looking for firewood in the forest to sell. The widow often contemplated her fate every night. Complaining with the life he lives

One night, the poor widow returned to her usual contemplation. If only I had a child, my life would not be this difficult. There will be someone to help with all my work, and take care of me when I am old. 

The widow complained. It turned out that all her complaints were heard by the green giant, the ruler of the forest, named Buto ijo. Buto ijo accidentally passed the poor widow's house while hunting deer for prey.

Hahaha.. Maybe I can help make your wish come true... Buto ijo said while looking at the window. Hearing a booming voice made the widow surprised and woke up from her daydream. Especially after she saw a sinister figure peeking out of the window, making the widow almost faint from fright.

Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you. During this time I often pay attention to you, I often hear all your complaints. And this time I have come to make your wish come true.. I can give you a child. Buto ijo said. Is that true?. The widow's face now lit up with joy.

His fear has now been swallowed up by his happiness. Of course it's true.. I am the king of the giants who rule this forest, I can't lie to you. Buto ijo said convincingly. Then.. How can I have children?. asked the widow.

Long ago, before I and my people were expelled from the kingdom of the sky, I had stolen a magical golden cucumber seed. If you plant this seed and you take care of it, then it will grow and be able to make what you ask for come true. If you ask for gold, then he will bear gold.

If you ask for treasure, the fruit will contain diamonds and gems. And so if you ask for a child, the fruit will contain a baby. Buto ijo said explaining. Then, quickly give the seeds to me. I will plant it soon..!!. pleaded the widow excitedly.

But there are conditions... What are the conditions? I will definitely fulfill everything. The widow is getting impatient. If one day the child born is a boy, then he will be completely yours.

But when a girl is born, then you have to give her to me for me to eat. Do you agree? Hahaha... Buto ijo's laughter boomed throughout the forest. Hearing the conditions proposed by Buto ijo, the widow pondered for a moment. But because the desire to have children is very strong, he finally agreed.

Finally the magical golden cucumber seeds were given. And the next day, the widow immediately planted it. He took care of the plant every day, until the plant finally bears fruit. But how surprised he was, when what was born was a baby girl.

Timun Emas and the Green Giant


He became very sad because he remembered his promise to the giant Buto ijo. In the evening Buto ijo came to see the widow, after he found out that it was a princess, Buto ijo intended to take the baby. But the widow begged for a few years so she could take care of the baby.

He reasoned that the baby was too small, and would not be satisfying to eat. So when later he has grown bigger, then he will be handed over to Buto ijo.

Buto ijo accepted the woman's offer. And time continues to pass after the events of that night. Every five years, Buto ijo comes to ask for the girl. But the widow always asked for a grace period for the same reason.

Can't believe 20 years have passed. Timun Emas grew into a beautiful girl, diligent, kind and cheerful. So that the presence of the golden cucumber made the widow's life filled with happiness. Until one day, Buto ijo came back to collect his promise.

Hey humans.. Now I come here again to collect your promise. Quickly leave the child to me..!! My patience is running out..!!. Buto ijo said angrily.

Give me a little more time. He's still skinny. Wait until he's fat. The widow asked. I can't.. My patience is running out. I'll be here in a week, and he should be ready. Buto ijo said as he left to hold back his anger.

Meanwhile, Timun Emas was in the forest picking her favorite jasmine flower. When he was busy picking flowers, suddenly an old man in a white robe met him. It turned out that the grandfather was the King of the land of the sky.

He told all the stories of Timun Emas on Timun Emas. And told also the sadness experienced by his mother because of his promise to the Buto green giant. And finally the old man gave a small package to Timun Emas.

Inside contains a thorn, a handful of salt, and shrimp paste. Use wisely to save yourself when Buto ijo chases you.

The grandfather's message then disappeared. Timun Emas remembers all the grandfather's messages. And after arriving home, he told all the events that had happened to his mother.

Of course the mother was surprised. But Timun Emas calmed the mother's heart, and she was sure that she would be fine.

And the one week time is over. Buto ijo giant came back to collect the promise. But how angry he was when he found the widow's hut was empty and uninhabited.

Because Timun Emas had taken her mother to hide in a cave and she herself ran towards the mountain to keep Buto ijo away from her mother. Seeing the empty hut, Buto ijo mustered his magic to find out the whereabouts of Timun Emas. And finally found. Buto ijo immediately mobilized all his powers to chase Timun Emas.

In a short time, he could see Timun Emas running in the distance. Seeing the giant Buto ijo who was suddenly behind him in the distance, Timun Emas was surprised.

He panicked and a feeling of dread started to overtake him. However, he began to remember the old grandfather's message he met in the forest. Timun Emas immediately opened the package she was carrying.

He took a thorn and threw it at Buto ijo. It's really magical..!! When the thorn touched the ground, the area around it turned into a forest full of trees and thorns. Of course this made Buto ijo difficult. Because he was hindered by sharp thorns that made his whole body hurt.

But Buto ijo is not an arbitrary giant. He has high supernatural powers so that he was appointed king of the giants. And with the knowledge he has, finally Buto ijo was able to pass through the forest of thorns. Even though his body was full of cuts and scratches, he was still determined to pursue Timun Emas.

Timun Emas, you won't be able to run away from me.. Grrrr..!!. Buto ijo shouted while growling. Seeing that his first attempt failed, Timun Emas again opened the package she was carrying. This time he took a handful of salt and tossed it.

And to the magic happened again, the area turned into a vast sea. Until now the distance between Timun Emas and Buto ijo is separated by the ocean. Of course it made Buto ijo confused. And the opportunity was not wasted Timun Emas to run again.

But Buto ijo did not give up. Again he recited the incantation and took out his magic magic. He then swam through the magical sea. The wound is now becoming more and more painful from being exposed to salty seawater.

But apparently this did not dampen his determination, instead his emotions and anger grew. And finally with great difficulty, Buto ijo managed to cross the magical sea. And after Buto ijo passed it, the sea disappeared without a trace.

You make me more angry.. Just see if later you are caught, I will crush you until nothing remains.. Aaarrrggg..!!. Buto ijo's anger overflowed uncontrollably. Seeing that their second attempt failed again, Timun Emas was a little worried.

Because now he only has one thing left, namely shrimp paste. If it turns out that this last attempt failed too, then he had resigned himself to his fate.

But again Timun Emas strengthened her heart. He was sure that God would find a way out and help him. With full confidence he threw the shrimp paste, and again the magic happened. The whole area turned into a sea of ​​mud. Which can suck and drown anything that is above it.

This time Buto ijo was not too surprised by the incident. Since it was the third miracle he had seen in one day, he was no longer surprised.

Timun Emas and the Green Giant


He has been able to overcome two obstacles with his magic. And this made Buto ijo believe in his supernatural powers and abilities. He believes, with the supernatural powers he has, he can pass this third obstacle easily.

But all unexpectedly, he had taken a fatal mistake. It turns out that the sea of ​​mud has a very strong suction power. When Buto ijo arrived in the middle of the sea of ​​​​mud, he could no longer hold on and finally drowned in the sea of ​​​​mud. So Buto ijo died in that place.

After Buto ijo's death, Timun Emas returned to her home with her mother. Now their life is more peaceful. Until one day, there was a prince hunting in the forest. He accidentally met Timun Emas who was picking jasmine flowers.

Seeing the beauty and kindness of Timun Emas, the prince fell in love. Until finally Timun Emas was made his wife and brought to the palace with his mother, and they lived happily until the end of their lives.

After Buto ijo's death, Timun Emas returned to her home with her mother. Now their life is more peaceful. Until one day, there was a prince hunting in the forest. He accidentally met Timun Emas who was picking jasmine flowers.

Seeing the beauty and kindness of Timun Emas, The prince fell in love. Until finally Timun Emas was made his wife and brought to the palace with his mother, and they lived happily until the end of their lives.

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