.jpg "The Legend of Sikidang Crater A Dieng Folktale for Kids")
Chapter 1: The Beautiful Princess of Dieng
Once upon a time, long, long ago, there was a kingdom high up on the cool plateau of Dieng. In that kingdom lived a princess named Shinta Dewi, who was famous across the land for her beauty.
Many princes and noblemen dreamed of marrying her. But Princess Shinta Dewi was so lovely, and her kingdom so grand, that no one dared to knock on the palace door and ask for her hand.
Chapter 2: The Rich and Powerful Prince
In a faraway land lived a wealthy prince named Kidang Garungan. He had treasure chests full of gold, and he was also very powerful, because he knew the ways of magic.
One day, the prince heard stories about the beautiful Princess Shinta Dewi.
Prince Kidang Garungan: "They say the princess of Dieng is the loveliest in all the land. I must ask for her hand in marriage!"
So he called his most trusted messenger and sent him all the way to the kingdom of Dieng.
The messenger bowed low before the princess and told her about his master's wealth and magical powers. Princess Shinta Dewi listened carefully. She was very interested in the prince's riches and his magic.
Princess Shinta Dewi: "I accept the proposal of Prince Kidang Garungan. Please tell your prince to come to Dieng himself, so he may ask for my hand in person."Messenger: "As you wish, Your Highness. My prince will be so happy to hear this!"
Chapter 3: The Prince Comes to Dieng
When the messenger returned, Prince Kidang Garungan jumped for joy.
Prince Kidang Garungan: "She said yes! Quickly, prepare everything! We must leave for Dieng at once!"
The servants got busy. They polished a beautiful golden carriage until it sparkled. They chose the strongest and finest horses. They also packed many lovely gifts for the princess. Then the prince set off for Dieng, with his royal guards marching proudly beside him.
Meanwhile, in the palace of Dieng, Princess Shinta Dewi was getting ready too. The palace was decorated with colorful ornaments and fragrant flowers. Musicians and dancers practiced their performances. Everyone wanted to welcome the rich and magical prince.
Chapter 4: A Very Surprising Prince
At last, the golden carriage rolled through the palace gates. Everyone gathered to see the prince. But when he stepped out, the princess gasped, and her knees felt wobbly.
Prince Kidang Garungan had the body of a strong man. But his head was the head of a deer, with two big, branching antlers on top!
Princess Shinta Dewi (whispering to herself): "Oh, my! I cannot marry someone with the head of a deer!"
She quickly called her ladies-in-waiting to a quiet corner.
Princess Shinta Dewi: "I do not want to marry the prince. But I am afraid he will be angry if I say no. What shall I do?"
The ladies-in-waiting did not know the answer. The princess worried and worried. Finally, she had a clever idea. She also whispered to her soldiers to be ready for her orders.
Chapter 5: The Princess's Strange Request
Princess Shinta Dewi walked bravely up to the prince.
Princess Shinta Dewi: "Prince Kidang Garungan, I will marry you on one condition. You must dig a very deep and very wide well, all by yourself."Prince Kidang Garungan: "A well, Princess? Why a well?"Princess Shinta Dewi: "If you truly wish to marry me, you must do it. When it is finished, we will bathe in it together."
The prince was puzzled, but he wanted to please the princess.
Prince Kidang Garungan: "Very well! I will dig the deepest well you have ever seen!"
Chapter 6: The Giant Hole
Without wasting a moment, the prince began to dig. He used his strong arms to scoop the earth. When the soil became hard, he lowered his head and dug with his big antlers!
Dig, dig, dig! The dirt flew everywhere. Before long, a huge hole opened in the ground. It grew deeper and deeper, and the well was almost finished.
Princess Shinta Dewi watched from the edge, and her heart pounded.
Princess Shinta Dewi (thinking to herself): "Oh no! He is so strong and so fast! He will finish the well, and then I will have to marry him!"
She panicked. She did not stop to think. She shouted to her soldiers.
Princess Shinta Dewi: "Soldiers! Fill the hole with earth! Hurry!"
Chapter 7: Buried Underground
The soldiers did as they were told. They threw shovel after shovel of soil into the hole, and the earth began to cover the prince.
Prince Kidang Garungan: "Princess! What are you doing? Stop this at once!"
But the soldiers kept shoveling. The prince understood that the princess had tricked him. She never wanted to marry him at all. He gathered all his magic and tried to climb out. BOOM! The ground shook with a big rumble!
But before he could escape, Princess Shinta Dewi called out again.
Princess Shinta Dewi: "More soil, soldiers! Do not let him out!"
The soldiers worked and worked, until the hole was completely filled, and the prince could not get out.
Chapter 8: The Prince's Curse
Down in the dark, Prince Kidang Garungan felt sad and very angry. The princess had tricked him, and now he was trapped. With the last of his magic, he shouted from deep under the ground.
Prince Kidang Garungan: "Shinta Dewi! What you have done is too cruel! I curse you! All of your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will have tangled, matted hair!"
And so it was said.
Chapter 9: The Origin of Sikidang Crater
Even today, the place where the prince was buried still rumbles and bubbles. Hot steam bursts out of the ground, and the earth trembles. The people around Dieng named this place Sikidang Crater. In Javanese, kidang means deer, in memory of the prince with the deer's head.
The people of Dieng also believe that the children with matted, dreadlocked hair, who are born in the highlands, are descendants of Princess Shinta Dewi.
Chapter 10: Did You Know?
This folktale comes from Central Java, Indonesia. Dieng is a high plateau with many volcanoes, craters, and small peaks. Sikidang Crater is famous because its steam vents keep moving from spot to spot, hopping around just like a deer!
Chapter 11: The Moral of the Story
Now that you have heard the tale of Sikidang Crater, let us think about what it can teach us.
Princess Shinta Dewi did not tell Prince Kidang Garungan the truth. She said yes when she meant no, and she chose to trick him instead of speaking honestly. In the end, her trick caused a great deal of sadness for both of them.
Lesson 1: Always be honest and kind.If Princess Shinta Dewi had told the prince gently and truthfully how she felt, no one would have been hurt. Being honest, even when it is hard, is always better than tricking someone.Lesson 2: Do not judge someone only by how they look or what they own.The princess said yes because of the prince's riches and magic, and then said no because of his deer head. A person's heart matters much more than their treasure or their appearance.Lesson 3: Think carefully before you act, and do not act out of fear.The princess panicked and gave a terrible order without thinking. When we feel scared or upset, it is wise to stop, take a deep breath, and think about what is right.Lesson 4: Angry words and unkind deeds can have long-lasting results.The prince's curse and the princess's trick left marks on the land and on the people of Dieng for many years. Let us always choose our words and actions with care.
Give it a try! Follow the tale of Princess Shinta Dewi and Prince Kidang Garungan, all the way to the origin of Kawah Sikidang.
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