.jpg "The Origin of Rice An Indonesian Folktale of Dewi Sri, the Goddess of Rice")
Chapter 1: The Garden in the Sky
Long, long ago, high above the clouds, there was a beautiful garden called Taman Sorga Loka — the Garden of Heaven. Flowers bloomed there that never wilted, and the air always smelled sweet, like rain on jasmine.
Sunan Ibu smiled and said,
Sunan Ibu: "Ah, Dewi Sri, I have been waiting for you. Tell me, what news do you bring from below?"
Dewi Sri bowed respectfully and answered,
Dewi Sri: "Sunan Ibu, I have looked upon the earth, and there is a land called Buana Panca Tengah. It is dark and empty, without light, without warmth — and worst of all, the people there have nothing to sustain their lives. They are hungry, and they do not even know what hunger truly is, for they have never tasted food at all."
Sunan Ibu's eyes grew soft with compassion.
Sunan Ibu: "Then it shall be your task, dear Dewi Sri, to bring light and life to that land. Will you go?"
Dewi Sri: "I will go gladly, Sunan Ibu. But the journey is long and the world below is unknown to me. Might I ask that Eyang Prabu Guruminda accompany me, so that I am not alone?"
Sunan Ibu nodded kindly.
Sunan Ibu: "Your request is granted. Guruminda has a strong heart and a wise mind — he will guide you well."
Chapter 2: The Secret of the Egg
Before the two set off on their long journey, Guruminda asked for a moment alone. He sat quietly beneath a great flowering tree and closed his eyes in deep meditation, praying to Hiang Dewanata, the highest of the heavenly spirits, for guidance.
After a long while, a voice as soft as wind through leaves spoke to him.
Hiang Dewanata: "Guruminda, the world below is not ready to receive Dewi Sri as she is now. You must use your powers to change her into an egg, so that she may travel safely and be reborn upon the earth."
Guruminda opened his eyes, and understanding filled his heart. He rose, walked to where Dewi Sri waited, and gently explained what must be done.
Guruminda: "Dewi Sri, the spirits have shown me the way. I must turn you into an egg, so you may pass safely into the world below. Do you trust me?"
Dewi Sri looked at him with calm, steady eyes.
Dewi Sri: "I trust you completely, Guruminda. Whatever must be done to complete my task, I am ready."
With a whisper of magic and a flash of golden light, Dewi Sri transformed into a small, gleaming egg. Guruminda carefully placed her inside a beautiful jeweled box called Cupu Gilang Kencana, closing the lid with the greatest care, as though he were cradling the moon itself.
Chapter 3: Lost in the Wind
With the precious box held close, Guruminda spread his arms and flew — north, then south, then west, then east — searching every corner of the sky for the land called Buana Panca Tengah. The wind roared past him, and clouds parted before his flight.
But in his haste, as he banked sharply through a storm, the lid of Cupu Gilang Kencana sprang open! The little egg tumbled out and fell — down, down, down — through the clouds and into the world below.
Guruminda: "No! Dewi Sri!"
He dove after it, but the egg had already vanished into the mists of the earth. Guruminda searched for hours, calling her name, but found nothing. With a heavy heart, he could only hope that fate would be kind.
Far below, in a quiet corner of the forest, a spirit named Lord Anta was resting beside a stream when he saw something small and shining land softly in the grass beside him. He picked it up gently.
Lord Anta: "What a strange and beautiful little egg. I feel there is something special within it. I shall keep it safe and see what becomes of it."
Chapter 4: A Princess is Born
Lord Anta kept the egg warm and safe, watching over it with quiet devotion. Days passed, then weeks. And then, one morning, the egg began to crack.
Lord Anta held his breath as the shell split open — and from within emerged not a bird, not a creature of the forest, but a baby girl of astonishing beauty, with skin like polished ivory and eyes like deep, still water.
Lord Anta: "Oh, little one! You must be a gift from the heavens themselves. I shall call you Dewi Sri, and I will raise you as my own."
Under Lord Anta's loving care, the baby grew swiftly — not just in years, but in grace and wisdom. By the time she reached womanhood, her beauty was unlike anything the land had ever seen. Word of her spread across every kingdom, carried by travelers and merchants like seeds on the wind.
Chapter 5: The Unwanted Proposals
Soon, kings and princes from every corner of the land came to see Dewi Sri, each hoping to win her hand in marriage. They arrived bearing gold, jewels, and grand promises.
A Visiting King: "Dewi Sri, marry me, and you shall want for nothing. I will build you a palace of gold!"
But Dewi Sri always shook her head gently.
Dewi Sri: "Your Majesty, I am deeply honored, but I cannot accept. I was born into this world for a purpose greater than marriage — I must bring light and life to the land of Buana Panca Tengah. Until my task is complete, my heart belongs to no one."
Yet the kings did not listen. One after another, they returned, again and again, each more insistent than the last, unwilling to accept her answer. The constant pressure weighed heavily upon her gentle spirit.
Dewi Sri (softly, to herself): "Why will they not understand? My purpose is not yet fulfilled, and still they will not let me rest."
Slowly, the strain began to wear upon her. Dewi Sri grew pale and weak, and before long, she fell seriously ill. No physician, no healer, no remedy could ease her suffering, for the sickness was not of the body — it was the sorrow of an unfinished promise.
Chapter 6: The Last Wish
As her strength faded, Dewi Sri called Lord Anta to her side. She took his hand and spoke in a voice as soft as falling leaves.
Dewi Sri: "Father, I feel my time in this world is drawing to an end. When I pass and you lay me to rest, do not be afraid of what you may see growing from my grave. Let it grow. It is my final gift to the people of this land."
Not long after speaking these words, Dewi Sri Pohaci closed her eyes for the last time and passed peacefully from the world.
Just as she had promised, strange and wonderful things began to happen at her burial place. From where her head lay, a tall coconut tree rose toward the sky. From her hands sprang fruit trees, heavy with blossoms. From her legs grew sweet potato vines, curling low across the earth. And from her stomach, a magnificent palm tree stretched upward. But at the very center of the grave, a strange new plant appeared — one that no one in the land had ever seen before.
Chapter 7: The Old Couple's Discovery
Many seasons passed. One day, an elderly couple wandered into the forest to gather firewood, as they did every week. By chance, their path led them to a quiet clearing they had never noticed before — the resting place of Dewi Sri Pohaci, now overgrown with mysterious plants.
The old woman knelt down and examined the strange green stalks curiously.
Grandmother: "Look at this, old man! I have never seen a plant quite like this one. Its leaves are so slender, yet so full of life."
Grandfather: "Nor have I. But something tells me this plant is precious. Let us care for it and see what it becomes."
And so, day after day, week after week, the old couple returned to the clearing. They cleared away weeds, watered the strange plant, and tended it with the patience only true kindness can give. Slowly, the plant began to flourish, its green stalks thickening and its leaves growing lush and full.
Chapter 8: The Golden Harvest
By the fifth month, tiny green grains had formed along the stalks, growing so plentiful and heavy that the stems bowed low under their weight.
Grandmother: "Look how the stalks bend! Whatever this plant is, it is generous with its fruit."
By the sixth month, something wonderful happened — the green grains had turned a warm, golden yellow, glowing like tiny suns among the leaves. Overcome with curiosity, the grandfather plucked one and tasted it.
Grandfather: "It's sweet! Truly sweet — sweeter than anything I have ever eaten from this forest!"
Filled with gratitude, the old couple gathered incense and lit a small fire beside the plant, offering thanks to Hiang Dewanata for such a precious gift.
Grandfather: "Great Spirit, we thank you for this bounty. We do not know what this plant is, but we shall honor it always."
Chapter 9: A Name at Last
After the ceremony, the couple carefully cut the ripened stalks — and to their astonishment, a clear, fragrant liquid seeped from the cut stems, filling the air with a sweetness like nectar.
Grandmother: "How marvelous! Let us not waste a single grain. We must plant them again, so this gift may never disappear."
They scattered the golden grains around Dewi Sri's grave, and before long, the plants multiplied beyond anything they could have imagined, filling the clearing with row after row of swaying gold.
But there was one problem left to solve — the old couple did not know what to call this wondrous new plant.
Grandfather: "What shall we name it, old woman? Surely something so special deserves a proper name."
Grandmother: "I do not know... it is so difficult to decide! Every name I think of does not seem to fit."
They debated for days, unable to agree, each suggestion tossed aside for another. Finally, the grandfather laughed and threw up his hands.
Grandfather: "This indecision itself deserves to be its name! In our Sundanese tongue, when someone struggles endlessly to make up their mind, we call it paparelean. Let us simply call the plant Pare!"
The grandmother laughed too, and clapped her hands in delight.
Grandmother: "Pare it shall be! A name born from our own stubborn hearts."
And so, from that day forward, the plant that had grown from Dewi Sri Pohaci's sacrifice came to be known as Pare — or as it is called across the land today, Padi, the rice plant that feeds millions to this very day.
And that is how rice came into the world — not merely as a plant, but as the final gift of a princess who gave her life so that no one would ever go hungry again.
Play the interactive version of The Origin of the Rice Plant! Follow Dewi Sri Pohaci Long Kancana's journey, listen to the narration, and help the old couple tend the magical plant until they find the right name for it.
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