THE LEGEND OF SURABAYA

Formerly, in wide of ocean,there was a fight between a shark called Sura and a crocodile called Baya. They quarreled just because of scrambling for prey. Both of them were strong,skilful, clever, ferocious, and gluttonous. They had quarreled many times, but no one had won or failed. Finally, they made an agreement.

“I tired of this continuous quarrel, Baya,” said Sura. “I did so. What we have to do to stop our fight?” asked Baya. Sura, who had owned plan to discontinue their fight, immediately explained, “To stop our fight, we better divide the authority territory into two areas. Me, as the ruler of underwater, and I must prey on the prowl just in water area. While you as the ruler of continent and you have to look for your prowl in continent. As boundary between water and continent is place reached by water when ebb!”

“Okey, I agree with your idea!” said Baya. Because of the division of authority territory, there was no fight again between Sura and Baya. Both have agreed in honor of each region. But at one particular day, Sura looked for his prowl in the river. He did it stealthy so that Baya didn’t know. But one day, Baya found this unexpectedly deed. Of course Baya was very angry knowing Sura impinge his promise.

“Hey Sura, why do you impinge regulation we have agree on? How dare you entered river which representing my authority region?” asked Baya. Sura, who felt guilty, answered, “I impinge agreement? This river has water, isn’t it? And I have spelled out members that my territory is in the water, right? So, this river is my authority region.”

“What? That river is located in continent, while your area is sea. Mean, that river is my region!” Baya insist. “It can’t be like that! I have never told if ‘water’ only sea water. I think an irrigate river is also ‘water’,” answered Sura. “Do you intend to ask for trouble, Sura?” asked Baya.

“No, I think my reason is strong enough and I’m sure that I’m in the correct side!” said Sura. “You intend to angle me. I’m not as stupid as you predict!” said Baya start to fulminate. “I don’t care you bright or stupid. The important is river water and sea water are my authority!” Sura didn’t willing to fail. “If so, you mean to lie me, don’t you?! Thereby, our agreement is cancelled! The most powerful one will become single author,” said Baya. “Quarrel again? I’m not scared of you!” challenge Sura egotisticly. Than, a hard duel between Sura and Baya started again. This contention progressively awful and exclaim each other. They were pouncing, nipping, beating, and dashing against each other. During split second, water around them became squeezed by secretory blood of bodily injury from both of them. They continued until scrap furiosly without rest at all. In this awful contention, Baya got a bite on the right of his tail. Hereinafter, his tail always stiff to left side. Whereas Sura’s tail also nipped till almost break. Then Sura back to the ocean. This contention very impress society of Surabaya.

(Source:http://iwanketch.dagdigdug.com/2009/09/05/the-legend-of-surabaya/)

THE LEGEND OF ROROJONGRANG (CANDI PRAMBANAN)

Roro Jonggrang was a very beautiful princess from a Javanese kingdom, Prambanan Kingdom hundred years ago. Her famous beauty was known throughout the country, and princes from far and different land and kingdoms came to propose her. However, her beauty did not make her humble, instead she grew her arrogance even more. She refused all their proposal, and sometime in harsh as well. Many returned brokenhearted.

There was a famous prince by that era, Prince Bandung Bondowoso. He was famous by his strength, power, and good looking. He owned a big kingdom with thousand of soldiers. He too heard of Roro Jonggrang's amazing beauty that he set up to the kingdom to propose her.

Having heard that Prince Bondowoso was coming to marry her, Roro Jonggang grew worried. She disliked the idea of getting married, however, she too understood the consequence if she refused the proposal. She knew that Bondowoso had thousands of soldiers that could attack her kingdom if she disappointed him. So when Bondowoso arrived and proposed her, she was willing to accept it with one condition.

Bondowoso had to make her 1000 temples in one night time. If he failed, then Roro Jonggrang would not marry him. Now, Bondowoso was not only strong, he had thousands of men working for him, and not only men, he owned the power to control the genies as well. He agreed to fulfill Jonggrang's wish and started to work it immediately. He used his power to call all the genies and asked them to keep on working until they completed 1000 temples by the time the rooster crowed the next morning.

The genies worked without stop any second. They would only stop by the time the rooster crowed. Soon hundreds of temples were completed. This made Roro Jonggrang restless. She could not sleep or even closed her eyes. She tried to think any way to fail Bondowoso. Finally, she got an idea. She cut paper in the shape of a circle and glued it in front of a candle holder. She lit the candle and carried it to the chicken coop where the rooster slept. When the rooster saw the candle, it thought that it was almost dawn and the sun was going to rise soon. The rooster quickly got up and in a second, it crowed.

The working genies heard the rooster and thought that the morning had come. Instantly, they stopped working and disappeared leaving the undone temples. There were 999 temples that completed. One more to be built. Bondowoso was disappointed to see this. He was very mad. When he found out that it was the work of Roro Jonggrang, he came to her and cursed her into a stone.

Until now, we can still see the statue of Princess Roro Jonggrang in one of those temples that Bondowoso built for her. The temples are now named Prambanan.

THE LEGEND OF KEONG EMAS

Prince Raden Putra was married to a princess named Dewi Limaran. One day when Dewi Limaran was walking in the palace garden, she saw a snail among her lovely flowers and she had one of her servants pick it up and throw it away. The Snail was actually an old witch who had disguised herself as a snail. The witch was very angry, so she cursed Dewi Limaran and changed her into a golden snail and threw it into the river. The stream carried it far away from the palace.

On the side of a big forest, there lived a poor widow. Her living was only fishing. One day it was a particularly bad day as she didn’t catch any fish. Again and again she spread her net, but nothing got caught into it. At last she pulled up the net to go home. Suddenly she saw something shining at the bottom of it. It was only a snail. Nevertheless she picked it up and took it home. Its shell shone like gold the old woman had never seen such a snail before.

At home she put it in an earthen pot. She then went to bed and soon was fast asleep as she was very tired. The next morning when she woke up, she found to her amazement that the floor had been swept clean and there was some food on the table. She wondered who had done all this. She thought she was dreaming, but she was not. She thought and thought but could not think of anybody who could have been so generous to her.

Some days passed….…..she then got an idea. The next morning she took her basket and went out as usual, but shortly she returned to her hut and hid herself. Suddenly she heard a soft movement inside the earthen pot and saw the snail creeping out of it. It grew bigger and bigger and in a moment a lovely young girl stood where the snail had been. The empty shell fell to the ground behind her. Quickly the young girl swept the floor. Then she took rice, vegetables, meat, eggs etc. out of the pot and began cooking.

When the old woman saw all this, she noticed that it was not an ordinary snail she had caught, but a person who lived under a spell, and she knew what she had to do to break it.

She crept stealthily to the empty shell, took it, and then rushed out of the hut to throw it into the river. Now she had broken only a part of the spell, and the rest of it must still be broken before she could return to her husband.

The young girl then made herself known to the old woman.

“I shall pray to the gods that the prince might be led to his place,” said the old woman.

Many years passed by…….

The king persuaded his son to look for another bride, but at first Prince Raden Putra refused as he could not forsake his wife. In the end, however, the prince asked his father if he could go out to find a bride, but one who was a look-alike of his former wife. An old faithful servant accompanied him on his trip.

They went from town to town and from village to village until one day were travelling through a big forest and they lost their way. Finally the men came to a big river and not far from it they saw a hut. They went to it to ask for some food and drink as they were hungry, thirsty and dead tired. The old woman welcomed them warmly. Raden Putra found the meal served by the old woman excellent. She told him that her daughter had prepared it. Raden Putra then asked whether he might meet and thank her daughter. The old woman had no objections and called her daughter to come out. The young girl appeared and knelt down in front of Raden Putra with her head bent.

When Raden Putra saw her, he caught his breath in great surprise as the young girl looked exactly like his former wife princess Dewi Limaran. “You are the bride I’m looking for!” he cried out. But the girl shook her head and said that she had made a promise : when a man wanted to marry her, he had to obtain the holy gamelan ( Javanese orchestra) from heaven which could make music without being touched.

Raden Putra was willing to try and went out into the forest. He then fasted and meditated. After a hundred days the gods heard and granted his wish.

On their wedding day the holy gamelan played its heavenly music. It was so beautiful that every person who heard it felt happier than ever.

The young girl than revealed her secret, that she was Dewi Limaran herself. The music of the gamelan had broken the evil witch’s spell.

The old woman had been invited to remain in the place. Now she had everything she wanted and sorrow had left her forever.

(Source: http://www.planetmole.org/daily/the-legend-of-keong-mas.html)

SANGKURIANG STORY

Once upon a time, a beautiful lady named Dayang Sumbi gave birth to a boy which she named Sangkuriang. When Sangkuriang was old enough to hunt, he took his mother’s dog Tumang (which according to this legend is an incarnation of a god and also Sangkuriang’s father) and ordered Tumang to chase after a boar. When Tumang did not follow Sangkuriang’s order, Sangkuriang became very angry and he killed Tumang. He carved out Tumang’s heart and brought it back to his mother.

Dayang Sumbi took the heart, cooked it and ate it. When she discovered that the heart belonged to Tumang, her husband, she was overcome with wrath. She sent her son away, but not before she hit him with a spoon and left a deep scar on his head.

Sangkuriang travelled around the world. After a long while, he arrived back in his village again without recognizing it. He saw a beautiful lady and fell in love with her. Little did he know that she was his own mother. He asked for her hand in marriage and she agreed.

Dayang Sumbi later realized that Sangkuriang was her son, as she recognized the scar that she had inflicted. She tried to tell him and break off the wedding, but he didn’t believe her and insisted to go on with the wedding. Dayang Sumbi then set an impossible condition that Sangkuriang has to fulfill in order to marry her: he should build her a big boat and a lake by damming Citarum river, all within one night, and it shall be finished by dawn. Sangkuriang agreed to the condition.

He built a boat from a large tree, and with the help of spirits, he dammed the Citarum river with landslides. The water eventually rose and filled the plain, turning it into a lake. When dawn was near, he was almost ready. Dayang Sumbi realized this, so she prayed for divine intervention. As an answer to her prayers, the eastern horizon lit up. Deceived by the lights, cocks crowed and farmers rose for the new day, thinking that dawn has broken.

Sangkuriang was also deceived. He thought his endeavor has failed. Angrily, he kicked the boat so that it toppled over. This boat became Tangkuban Parahu mountain (tangkuban means upside down, and parahu means boat). The pile of leftover woods became Mt. Burangrang, and the rest of the big tree became Mt. Bukit Tunggul. The lake became lake Bandung (which literally means ‘dam’).

(Source: http://www.indonesiatogo.com/2009/07/04/the-legend-of-sangkuriang/)

THE LEGEND OF MALIN KUNDANG

A long time ago, in a small village near the beach in West Sumatra, a woman and her son lived. They were Malin Kundang and her mother. Her mother was a single parent because Malin Kundang's father had passed away when he was a baby. Malin Kundang had to live hard with his mother.

Malin Kundang was a healthy, dilligent, and strong boy. He usually went to sea to catch fish. After getting fish he would bring it to his mother, or sold the caught fish in the town.

One day, when Malin Kundang was sailing, he saw a merchant's ship which was being raided by a small band of pirates. He helped the merchant. With his brave and power, Malin Kundang defeated the pirates. The merchant was so happy and thanked to him. In return the merchant asked Malin Kundang to sail with him. To get a better life, Malin Kundang agreed. He left his mother alone.

Many years later, Malin Kundang became wealthy. He had a huge ship and was helped by many ship crews loading trading goods. Perfectly he had a beautiful wife too. When he was sailing his trading journey, his ship landed on a beach near a small village. The villagers recognized him. The news ran fast in the town; “Malin Kundang has become rich and now he is here”.

An old woman ran to the beach to meet the new rich merchant. She was Malin Kundang’s mother. She wanted to hug him, released her sadness of being lonely after so long time. Unfortunately, when the mother came, Malin Kundang who was in front of his well dressed wife and his ship crews denied meeting that old lonely woman. For three times her mother begged Malin Kundang and for three times he yelled at her. At last Malin Kundang said to her "Enough, old woman! I have never had a mother like you, a dirty and ugly woman!" After that he ordered his crews to set sail. He would leave the old mother again but in that time she was full of both sadness and angriness.

Finally, enraged, she cursed Malin Kundang that he would turn into a stone if he didn't apologize. Malin Kundang just laughed and really set sail.

In the quiet sea, suddenly a thunderstorm came. His huge ship was wrecked and it was too late for Malin Kundang to apologize. He was thrown by the wave out of his ship. He fell on a small island. It was really too late for him to avoid his curse. Suddenly, he turned into a stone.

(Source:http://understandingtext.blogspot.com/2009/05/narrative-analysis-on-malin-kundang.html)

THE LEGEND OF TOBA LAKE

Once upon a time, there was a fisherman lived in a North Sumatra. Don’t ask me the year, all I know it was a very long time before you were born. When he was fishing in a river, a big fish was nailed. This fish had gold color all over its body. It was beautiful. The fisherman was very excited. He imagined a delicious dinner in his head. He put the fish in his basket and went home happily.

When he got home, he put the fish in a sink. He grabbed a knife to kill the fish. But when he almost killed it, he saw the fish eyes and felt pity. He took the knife away and put the fish in washbasin and added water in it. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t kill you” the fisherman said.

The fisherman went fishing again. But this time he couldn’t get any fish. He went home with nothing in his hand. His stomach started to sing. He walked home slouching. He was surprised when he saw smoke came out from his kitchen.

“Who cooked in my kitchen?” he confused.
He took a peep and surprised when he saw a beautiful girl cooked in his house. “Why there’s a girl in my kitchen?” he confused.

The fisherman entered the room. “Who are you?” he asked the girl.

“I’m the fish.” The girl said.

The fisherman looked the washbasin and saw nothing in it. “The fish?” he asked incredulous.

“Yes. You didn’t kill me and I’m very thankful. I will return your kindness.” The girl said.

“That’s ok. I didn’t ask any return” the fisherman said.

“But I have to.”The girl insisted.

“Well, I lived alone. I don’t have family. If you want to be my wife, I will be very happy.” The fisherman asked the girl.

The girl smiled and said “I’d love to but you have to promise me that if we have kid you can’t tell him about me.”

And so, the fisherman and the fish girl were married. And then they had a child called Samo. Samo was very naughty. He couldn’t be advisable. He always played and never helped his parents.

One day Samo was asked to deliver lunch to his father. On his way, he met his friends and forgot to deliver his father’s lunch. Samo played with his friends. When he was tired and hungry, he was resting under a tree and ate his father lunch. Meanwhile his father waited him in starve and tired. His father went home and saw Samo played. “Where is my lunch?” he asked.

“Mmm…mm.. I ate it” Samo said afraid.

“Why you ate it?” his father asked.

“Mmm..mm.. I was hungry after playing with my friend” Samo said.

“You were told to deliver my lunch but you didn’t listen.” his father was very furious. “I can’t handle you anymore. You are very naughty. Go away from me. Don’t come home anymore.” His father yelled and evicted Samo from his house.

And this what happened if you can’t control your mouth when you angry. His father said the words that he wouldn’t suppose to say. “You… fish’s son.”

Suddenly, the sky was getting dark. The storm was breaking the ears. The rain felt from the sky like giant hose sprayed water all over the place. And then the water came out from the land and getting harder.

Sumo’s mother was very sad. “I told you don’t tell him about me” she said to her husband. “Now I’m going back to be fish again. Good by” the mother was transformed magically to be gold fish again and disappear through the water. The water was getting higher and drown the village and formed a lake.

Meanwhile, sumo run to the hill and stayed there. The hill then was surrounded by the lake.

Now the lake was known as Toba Lake. Toba came from Tuba word means no mercy. And the hill in the middle called SamosirIsland. Samosir means ‘Samo di usir’ or in English : Samo have been evicted.

This is just a legend, there were so many versions of the name’s story. You can’t tell which one is really true. But I heard this version since I was a little girl.

(Source:http://xastory.blogspot.com/2008/09/legend-of-toba-lake.html)

KEBO IWA STORY

In Bali in the days before, rather than a pair of husband and wife. They just did not have children. One day they go to the shrine. They apply to the Almighty to be descendants.

 

Time also passed. The wife began to contain. How happy they are. Several months later, the baby was born a male. It turns out that the baby is not born normal. When still a baby, he can not eat food for adults. Every day children are more and more.
 

The children grow into adults that big high. Therefore, he called with the name Kebo Iwa, which means ‘Buffalo Uncle’. Kebo Iwa eat and eat and continue with the gluttonous. Old-time drop his parents to meet the taste of food. They also no longer afford to feed their children.

With heavy hearts they ask for the assistance the village. Since it is all the food needs kebo Iim covered village. Residents of the village and then build a house for a very large kebo Iim. They also cook food very much for that. But long-time residents do not feel able to provide food. Then they ask Kebo Iwa to cook your own. They just provide the raw materials.

Kebo Iwa has legs very wide, so that he can travel faster. If he wants to drink, stay Kebo Iwa’s nails thrust into the soil. There was a small wells so that the water issue.

Because of the strength, Kebo Iwa able to rush troops trying to subdue the Majapahit Bali.Maha Patih Majapahit was done some manuver but never succeed. He was invited Kebo Iwa to Majapahit. He then asks Kebo Iwa make some wells, because the government lacking of drinking water.

Kebo Iwa undertakes no suspicious. The Majapahit, he dig more wells. Indeed work hard, because he had to dig in once. When Kebo Iwa are working on the basis of the wells, the Patih ordered troop load Kebo Iwa with lime – then he died in the wells. With the passing away of Kebo Iwa, Bali can be gone down by Majapahit. That is a short history of people who existed on the island of Bali.

These picture above is Kawi Mountain – The highlight is 10 rock shrines cut directly into the cliff face. The place is said to have been created in one night by a single fingernail of Kebo Iwa.

(Source:http://www.baliseeker.com/kebo-iwa-story.html)

PAN BALANG TAMAK STORY

The famous story centers on the life of the middle-aged Pan Balang Tamak and his wife Men Balang Tamak. The couple was very rich but people in the village excluded them from all social activities.

 

Despite his wealth, Pan Balang Tamak never did anything good for his fellow villagers. He was very clever at cheating people.
 

One day, Kelian Banjar, the village chief, ordered the villagers, including Pan Balang Tamak, to begin renovating the Bale Kulkul, a building that acted as the centerpiece of the village.
 

The people were told to go to the nearby forest to collect wood and other building materials. The chief ordered all members of the village to begin work before sunrise, right after their chickens had left their roosts. Any latecomers would be fined.

The next morning, all the male villagers except Pan Balang Tamak went to the forest at dawn and began collecting wood.

Returning from the forest at noon, the villagers met Pan Balang Tamak, who looked at them innocently. The village chief was furious and planned to make him pay a large fine.

But Pan Balang Tamak was ready with an answer. ""You told me that we had to go to the forest after our chickens came down from their roosts,"" he said confidently.

"My chickens left their roosts just a few minutes ago and that's why I'm heading for the forest now," he said. The chief could do nothing but rub his face in despair when he heard Pan Balang Tamak's argument, which was logically correct.

A week later, the villagers were instructed to go hunting in the forest. Each man was ordered to bring along a strong and fierce dog that could bark and climb trees. Anyone who brought a small, weak dog would once again face a fine. Ignoring this instruction, Pan Balang Tamak appeared with a small, skinny dog. The villagers assumed that he would surely have to pay a fine this time.

Never short of ideas and tricks, Pan Balang Tamak went hunting with his old dog. Arriving in the forest, he threw his dog up into a tall tree. The dog was in pain and barked loudly.

Pan Balang Tamak was happy and called out to his friends, shouting, "Look at my dog. It is very brave and is able to catch a deer, even though the animal finally managed to escape."

The villagers became very angry and went home straight away with sour expressions on their faces.

Unable to trap Pan Balang Tamak, the villagers reported the case to Dewa Agung Klungkung, the king of Klungkung kingdom. Hearing the report, the king was furious and immediately ordered his servant to poison Pan Balang Tamak.

Pan Balang Tamak knew he would be finished soon. He knew that he had been poisoned. He asked his wife to follow his instructions while he awaited death. Pan Balang Tamak died while eating his final meal. His wife dressed his body in a white robe and placed it against a pillar of their bale (open building). She also untied her husband's hair and spread it over his shoulders, like a holy man did when praying. Above his head, she hung a cage filled with bees.

The villagers were very curious and went to Pan Balang Tamak's house to make sure that he had in fact died. But they were startled to find that the man sitting up and chanting a mantra (which was actually the sound of the bees) was Pan Balang Tamak. They ran to the palace and reported it to the king. Curious, the king wondered whether the poison had been strong enough to kill Pan Balang Tamak. He then swallowed the poison himself and died.

The relationship between the folk tale and the establishment of Pan Balang Tamak shrines remains unclear. Many people differentiate between Pan Balang Tamak as he is presented in the folk tale and his depiction on the shrines. They were not the same person.

Low Hindu priest Mangku Pande Made Tastra, a spiritual leader from Nongan village, explained that the establishment of shrines dedicated to Pan Balang Tamak would suggest that he had in fact existed.

"We can trace some of his roots in Nongan village," the Mangku (low priest) said. People in the village are still arguing whether a spacious house done in a rich Balinese architectural style actually belonged to the famous folk hero.

Pan Balang Tamak is also thought to have left behind numerous gold bars and coins. Believe it or not, he is now regarded as half deity and half holy man.

CUPAK AND GERANTANG

Cupak and Grantang were two siblings but they had different appearance and attitude. Cupak, the elder was fat, had sideburns, his hair was mess, with a big pot-belly, he loved to eat; a sneaky and bad young man. He was totally different with his brother named Grantang. Grantang was a handsome young man, every woman who saw him would adore him, he had good attitude.

One day, their parent commanded them to work in the farm. Grantang did what he should do like plowing the soil, planting, and cleaning the farm from rice weeds. But what did Cupak do? He played and went around looking for something to eat. Then, when dusk came he came back to the farm.

Grantang had finished doing what their parent told them to do. He saw his brother came but he asked him to get home because their works had finished. On the way, Grantang decided to wash his body on the river before going home and he asked his brother to get home first.

Without any refuse Cupak agreed to Grantang request. Cupak was sneaky. He threw himself to the mud. He walked as if he had done hard work. He shouted for his parents. Then his father came. “You know I finished all of works only by my self while Grantang is having fun with many girls,” shouted Cupak. And his father was very angry with Grantang.

Then Grantang arrived home with tired but clean body. He wanted to take a rest for a while but that desire would never be fulfilled. His father who was angry with him could not control himself. “Why did you let your brother do all the work? You are not my son anymore and leave this home soon; I do not want to look a lazy guy like you, go away!” said his father angrily. Grantang shocked. However he calmed himself down and said:”It is okay if you expelled me. I hope this home will be better without me,” Grantang left his home with tired body and hungry and hurt too.

Knowing that his brother had left home Cupak tried to catch him, he tried to bring him back to home. Cupak persuaded his brother to came back home But Grantang was a determined young man. Along the journey Cupak always moaned that he was very hungry. Grantang asked him to back home but Cupak stuck with his decision to follow his brother.

Finally, they arrived in an unknown region. They approached the food seller. Cupak asked her with impolite words. Then, Grantang repeat the question with such of polite words. “Where is it? Why is this land so quiet? “. Then the food seller replied “This land name Kediri and become quiet because our princess was stolen by I Menaru (name of giant). Without any doubt, Grantang wanted to save the princess. Although, Cupak persuade Grantang not to disturbed I Menaru. He is very scared.

Then Grantang fought I Menaru by himself. I Menaru died by stabbing of Grantang’s Keris (a mean of fighting which is looked like knifes but wavy). Grantang asked his brother’s help to come out him and the princess. Cupak, pulled the princess’ hand and princess succeed to get out. After helping the princess he closed the hole and let Grantang inside.

Then Cupak brought the princess and told the people about his victory. Because of his bogus story that said he had saved the princess and killed the giant, the King thanked him by giving him the throne.

Sinceb that day, every single day Cupak had to be served by suckling pig and many kinds of foods and he was also an arrogant King. He command his soldiers to throw Grantang away to the river in order to his lying would be not revealed.

On another corner, an old couple with no children found Grantang on the river bed. They took him and brought him into their house. Year after year had passed. They considered him as their real child and Grantang loved them as his real parent. Everyday, he helped his host parents to prepare good quality of flowers then his parents sold them in a traditional market near the palace.

Coincidentally, the princess loved to buy many flowers from this couple. One day the princess realized that the woman using gold ring that had ever used by Grantang. She asked the woman to invite her to woman’s home, wishing that Grantang lived with this old couple.

After arriving there, her wish was granted because she found her real hero finally. She sobbed and moaned emotionally and she asked the old couple to permit her to invite Grantang to stay with her in the Palace, and of course expelled Cupak, the big liar.

Her father was very happy since the princess went home together with Grantang. Then they got married and the throne automatically to be Grantangs. The people were very happy because the fool king had expelled from the land of Kediri.

(Source : http://www.parisada.org/english/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=105:cupak-and-grantang&catid=39:tale-&Itemid=71 )

JAYAPRANA AND LAYONSARI - A Balinese Love Story

Centauries ago, there was a small kingdom in what we recently called as Kalianget Village in Buleleng Regency. Once upon a day the Kalianget kingdom was suffered by a dangerous disease that cause most of the people died. The whole kingdom was in a deep sadness, then the king of Kalianget decided to have trip to entertain himself after the disease was over. It was said that he lost all of his family, at a cross road he met a child who was crying for the death of his parents and his brothers. The king adopted the boy to be his son because of losing all his children. He took the boy to the palace and tought him to be a soldier to service the kingdom in the future. The boy was called Jayaprana. When the boy had got adult he became a handsome and powerful soldier. Although he was a beloved soldier to the king, Jayaprana was a simple person, he dedicated his life to the kingdom especially to the king.

Then, the time had come. Jayaprana fell in love with a beautiful flower seller in the market. The girl was Layonsari (actually this is not her real name. No one know her real name. The name of Layonsari was known after her death). Layonsari also fell in love with Jayaprana. The lovely couple intended to get married and this was a happy news to the whole kingdom. It was such a happy atmosphere surrounding the kingdom especially for the married couple. But what's a pity. When the king met with Layonsari, he suddenly fell in love with Layonsari when Layonsari had been Jayaprana's wife. He was really obsesive to Layonsari though he realised that Layonsari had been to be Jayaprana's wife. To have Layonsari to be his wife he had to kill Jayaprana.

The king set up a plan tokill Jayaprana by ordered Jhim going to the forest near the sea to kill the intruders/robbers accompanied by his guards. With this strategy the king hoped he could gave Jayaprana away from his wife and he could persuaded Jayaprana's wife to be his wife. Jayaprana went to the forest although his wife had told him about her bad sign for his journey. He accompanied by Patih Sawung Galing, the head guard of the kingdom.

After several days they reached the forest eventually. There were many faiths with the robbers, and they succeeded in killing all the robbers. At the last faith with the robbers, Patih Sawung Galing tried to kill Jayaprana. But he could not. He tried many times with various ways but nothing could kill him. Then Patih Sawung Galing stopped. Jayaprana and Patih Sawung Galing made a conversation. Jayaprana asked Patih Sawung Galing why he wanted to kill him. According to Patih Sawung Galing, that was the king's order.

He told Jayaprana that the king had a desire for Layonsari and wanted her to be his wife. Jayaprana understood and became sad. He knew the king was very kind of him during his life. Jayaprana wanted to give anything to the king but his wife. He had promised to obey all the orders of the king. Of course, Jayaprana could killed Patih Sawung Galing and then killed the king. But what for? He thought, with the event, he had nothing anymore in his life except his wife. He was so sad. Then he decided to let Patih Sawung Galing to kill him in order to fulfil his promise to the king, his step-father. He took the flower he was using in his hair and gave it to Patih Sawung Galing. Jayaprana also gave his Keris (Balinese wavy dagger) to Patih Sawung Galing so he could kill him. Jayaprana asked Patih Sawung Galing to send his mesage to his wife that he was died in order to fulfil his promise to the king. The tears of Patih Sawung Galing dropped when he took the flower and Keris. With just one hit Patih Sawung Galing could kill Jayaprana easily.

Then the magic began. A good smell came from the body of Jayaprana and spreaded out to cover the forest. All animals became sad and screamed out but a white tiger. The tiger jumped to Patih Sawung Galing and killed the Patih Sawung Galing with one hit. The rest of the guards, deeply sad, went back to Kali Anget and told the story. At Kali Anget palace, Layonsari, after knowing her husband had been died for the king, commited suicid. And the same thing happened, a good smell came from her body and spreaded out to cover the palace. (Jayaprana's wife had her name from this event. Layonsari derived from two words; Layon means the death body, and Sari means a good smell). The good smell was a sign that they had no sins.The king was so sad with the event. Then he withdrewn himself and stopped reigning the kingdom.

People of Kali Anget then brought the body of Layonsari to the forest where Jayaprana killed few days ago (because they wanted to met them together again). At the place the people built two graves. One grave for Jayaprana and Layonsari, another grave was for Patih Sawung Galing. The last man was destined to be the guard of the grave forever. After a complete ceremony, Jayaprana and Layonsari were stated as holy spirit. Event untill now people believe that the magic is still going on. Down on the sea, you can see from the hill where the grave lies, there are colorful sea coral that somehow in a special moment the color will change eventually.

For centuries there have been many people (any kind of religions) come to the grave to worship and built a temple surrounding the grave. It is peace and has a good view on the grave yard, Menjangan island, event some mounts in East Java can be seen from this grave. Indeed in front of the grave is a beautiful peninsula, the grave located some 1 km from the main road toward the top of the hill. The place is known as Teluk Terima the grave, some 15 kms from Menjangan Resort, some 45 kms from Pulaki Temple , the area is considered to be part of West Bali National Park .

The story about Jayaprana and Layonsari has become a love story epic for Balinese people. This sad story has been translated to many Balinese traditional songs, many Balinese dances and scrips of Balinese play (sendratari). It is compared much more like Shakespear's Romeo and Juliet. Though most of the people believe this is a true story but Balinese historians can not find any clue due to its existance except the grave.

(source:http://www.magellanexperiences.com/jayaprana_layonsari_story.htm)