Chapter 1: The Quiet Village and the Green Garden
Once upon a time, nestled near the edge of a lush green jungle, there lived a hard-working farmer named Pak Tani. Every day, from the break of dawn until the sun dipped behind the hills, Pak Tani tended to his lovely little vegetable patch. Though his land was modest, it overflowed with healthy crops—juicy red tomatoes, fiery chilies, tender cassava, and above all, crisp, crunchy cucumbers.
Pak Tani and his family kept just a small portion of the harvest for their daily meals, while most of the sweet vegetables were carried to the bustling village market.
However, peace did not last long. Night after night, someone kept sneaking into the farm and gobbling up the precious cucumbers! Pak Tani knew very well who the mischievous culprit was: Kancil, the tiny but notoriously crafty mouse deer.
Determined to protect his crops, Pak Tani spent days chopping sturdy bamboo and built a high fence around his entire field. He wiped his sweaty brow and smiled, feeling certain his garden was finally safe.
Chapter 2: A Hungry Midnight Visitor
When the bright moon rose high above the canopy, Kancil woke up with a loud grumble in his belly. He rubbed his eyes and stroked his tiny stomach.
Kancil: "Oh, my poor tummy is rumbling so loudly! It is time to find a midnight snack. I shall head straight to Pak Tani’s garden and feast on those cool, juicy cucumbers. At this late hour, old Pak Tani will be sound asleep in his warm bed!"
Prancing merrily under the moonlight, Kancil leaped over to the garden. Upon reaching the bamboo barrier, he didn't just crawl through—he mischievously kicked the fence down to make a grand entrance.
Kancil munched and munched until his belly was round and full. But as dawn began to paint the sky in shades of pink, fear suddenly struck the little thief.
Kancil: "Oh dear, morning is coming! If Pak Tani catches me here, I will be in big trouble!"
With a quick scamper, Kancil darted back into the shadows of the forest.
Chapter 3: Pak Tani’s Sticky Trap
The next morning, Pak Tani walked toward his field carrying his trusty iron hoe, whistling a cheerful tune. He was excited to pick ripe cucumbers for the market. But as soon as he reached the gate, his cheerful whistle turned into an angry gasp.
Half of his crop had been devoured, and his hard-built fence lay shattered on the dirt!
Pak Tani: "Ouch! Look at this mess! Who could have destroyed my lovely garden? Taking my cucumbers is bad enough, but why ruin my fence too?"
Grieving over his ruined crops, Pak Tani marched back home to scheme.
Pak Tani: "It must be that cheeky little Kancil again. Enough is enough! I must outwit that greedy creature once and for all."
Without wasting a moment, Pak Tani gathered coconut straw and old clothes to build a life-sized scarecrow. But this was no ordinary scarecrow—Pak Tani slathered its surface with a thick layer of super-sticky tree sap glue! Just before dusk fell, he placed the sticky figure right in the middle of the cucumber patch.
Chapter 4: Stuck on the Sticky Puppet
Later that night, Kancil returned to the farm, fully expecting another easy feast. But as he trotted down the row of cucumber vines, he froze upon seeing a dark silhouette standing motionless. Then, he burst into fitful laughter.
Kancil: "Ha ha ha! Look at that silly straw man! Pak Tani really thought a harmless scarecrow would scare a clever animal like me? It cannot even move an inch!"
Feeling completely fearless, Kancil devoured his fill of crisp cucumbers. Full and playful, he sauntered right up to the figure to taunt it.
Kancil: "Hey there, silent friend! Even if I kick you, you won't do a thing, will you?"
Kancil raised his front right hoof and struck the scarecrow's belly—THUMP! Immediately, his leg stuck fast to the gooey sap.
Kancil: "Ouch! What is this? Why won't my foot let go? Release me this instant, you ugly puppet!"
Furious, Kancil raised his left leg and struck again—THUMP! Now both of his front legs were trapped tight.
Kancil: "Oh no! How outrageous! Pak Tani covered this puppet in sticky glue! Why didn't I just leave after eating?"
All through the long, chilly night, poor Kancil wept and struggled in vain. The glue held firm, leaving him completely trapped until morning.
Chapter 5: Captured and Caged
As the golden morning sun broke through the trees, Pak Tani strolled into the garden holding a thick wooden club. When he caught sight of the mouse deer glued to the scarecrow, a triumphant grin spread across his face.
Pak Tani: "Aha! I knew it! You are the thief who stole my vegetables and wrecked my fence! Finally, you have been caught!"
Kancil: "Oh, mercy, dear Pak Tani! Please forgive me! I only ate four little cucumbers, and I swear I didn't mean to break your fence! Please let me go... I promise I will never steal again!"Pak Tani: "Silence, you trickster! This is far from the first time you’ve looted my fields. How could I ever trust a word you say?"
Ignoring Kancil’s desperate pleas, Pak Tani pried the little animal off the scarecrow, tied his legs with sturdy twine, and carried him home. He shoved Kancil into a heavy wooden chicken cage and locked the latch tight.
Pak Tani: "You stay right there, Kancil! I am heading off to the market to purchase tasty satay spices. Tonight, I shall turn you into a delicious meal!"Kancil: "Please, Pak Tani, no! Do not turn me into satay! My meat is tough and gamey! Please have mercy!"Pak Tani: "This is your rightful punishment for stealing and ruining my hard work."Kancil: "It wasn't even me who broke the fence! It was the big, evil wild goat, Pak Tani!"
Pak Tani merely shook his head, picked up his basket, and set off toward the village market, leaving Kancil trembling in terror inside the dark cage.
Chapter 6: The Great Dog Trickery
Not long after Pak Tani departed, the farmer’s loyal watchdog ambled into the yard. Spotting Kancil locked inside the chicken coop, the dog tilted his head in sheer disbelief.
Dog: "Well, well! Hey there, Kancil! What on earth are you doing locked inside that chicken cage?"
Kancil’s quick eyes sparkled—he instantly sensed an opportunity to escape.
Kancil: "Ah, haven't you heard the joyful news, my friend? Pak Tani has chosen me to marry his beautiful daughter! Right now, he is walking to the market to buy me a grand wedding outfit!"Dog: "What?! Married? You must be joking, Kancil! You are tiny and weak. You don't deserve to marry Pak Tani's daughter at all! A strong, brave guard like me is far more suitable to become his son-in-law!"Kancil: "The proof is right here! Pak Tani asked me to wait inside this special cage while he prepares the feast. Now, please move along and don't ruin my royal wedding day! You simply aren't suited for royalty."
The dog grew red with envy and anger.
Dog: "Get out of that cage right now, Kancil! I am taking your place as the bridegroom! If you refuse to swap places, I will bite your neck and eat you whole!"Kancil: "Oh! Please don't hurt me, kind dog! If you insist, you may take my place and marry the farmer's daughter. Just unlatch this door and let me out!"
Eagerly, the dog pushed up the wooden latch with his snout and nudged the cage door open. Kancil bounded out like lightning while the foolish dog happily crawled inside and closed the door behind him.
Kancil: "Congratulations, my dear groom! May you have a wonderful wedding! Farewell!"Dog: "Off you go, little deer! The bride is all mine!"
With that, Kancil darted across the yard and disappeared into the thick jungle.
Chapter 7: The Master of the Forest
A short while later, Pak Tani returned from the market carrying a bag filled with fragrant satay spices. As he walked up to the chicken coop, he stopped dead in his tracks. Instead of a mouse deer, his own dog was sitting proudly inside the wooden cage!
Pak Tani: "What in the world are you doing in there, dog?! Where on earth is the mouse deer?!"Dog: "Rejoice, Pak Tani! Generous little Kancil gave up his spot as your future son-in-law for me! He fled into the forest, and now I am ready to marry your daughter!"Pak Tani: "What silly nonsense are you barking about?! Kancil tricked you and ran away, and you want to marry my daughter?!"Dog: "Yes, Pak Tani! I am your new son-in-law!"
Pak Tani fumed, rubbing his temples in utter disbelief.
Pak Tani: "That insolent mouse deer! Not only did he escape being turned into satay, but he also managed to fool my guard dog!"
Pak Tani opened the coop, grabbed a bamboo stick, and gave the dog a sound swat on his rump.
Pak Tani: "Get out of there, you foolish dog! I worked so hard to catch that sneaky thief, and you just let him waltz right out!"Dog: "Ouch! Ouch! I'm sorry, Pak Tani! Oh my goodness... I was tricked! Yowch!"
Meanwhile, deep inside the dark, cool jungle, Kancil sprinted through the trees, glancing over his shoulder every now and then to make sure no one was following him. Once he knew he was safe, he collapsed on a bed of soft moss, chuckling to himself over his narrow escape.
This classic story of Kancil the Mouse Deer Stealing Cucumbers remains one of Indonesia’s most cherished fables. It teaches children that while cleverness can help you escape tight situations, greed and theft will always bring trouble—and honesty is always the best path!
Lessons from the Fable
- Respect Others' Property. Taking what isn't ours without permission leads to trouble. Honesty and respect build harmony in every community.
- Think Before You Act. Kancil's hot temper caused him to kick the scarecrow and get trapped. Calm thinking always triumphs over foolish anger.
- Don't Be Easily Gullible. The dog fell for Kancil's boastful tricks because of vanity. Always verify the truth before acting on sweet promises!
Give it a try! Help Kancil escape the Farmer's trap by tricking the dog.
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