.jpg "Pagar Dewa Bengkulu Folktale of the Seven Heavenly Maidens")
Chapter 1: The Lake of the Gods
Once upon a time, long ago in Bengkulu Province, there was a beautiful, quiet lake. The people of Bengkulu called it Telaga Dewa, the Lake of the Gods. They believed the gods of heaven came down to bathe in its waters whenever the full moon shone.
Because the lake was sacred, no one in the village dared to go near it.
Grandmother: "Children, never go near the Lake of the Gods. It is a holy place."
Little Boy: "But why, Grandmother?"Grandmother: "Because the gods bathe there under the full moon. We must not disturb them."
Chapter 2: The Curious Old Bachelor
In that village lived an old bachelor who wished very much to get married. He was a clever and curious man, and he did not believe the stories about the lake.
Old Bachelor: "The gods bathing in a lake? Hmm, I do not believe it. I will see it with my own eyes!"Neighbor: "Oh no, do not do it! The lake is sacred!"Old Bachelor: "Do not worry, my friend. I will only look. When the full moon comes, I will find out the truth."
Chapter 3: Seven Heavenly Maidens
At last the night of the full moon arrived. The old bachelor tiptoed to the lake and hid behind the bushes. He waited and waited. At first, everything was quiet, and he saw nothing strange.
Old Bachelor: "Hmm... there is nothing here. Maybe the villagers were wrong."
But then, a soft light shone down from the sky. Seven beautiful maidens floated gently down to the lake. Their shawls shimmered like silver in the moonlight.
Old Bachelor: "Oh my! They are so beautiful! The stories were true!"
The seven maidens laughed and splashed in the cool, clear water. The old bachelor watched them quietly, his eyes wide with wonder. When they had finished bathing, they flew back up to heaven.
Chapter 4: A Clever Idea
All the way home, the old bachelor could not stop thinking about the maidens.
Old Bachelor: "If only I could marry one of those lovely maidens... But how?"
He thought and thought. Then, suddenly, he smiled.
Old Bachelor: "I know! I will build a fence around the lake. When the maidens come to bathe, they will hang their shawls on it. Then I can take one!"
So he built a strong fence around Telaga Dewa. After that, he waited patiently for the next full moon.
Chapter 5: The Stolen Shawl
A month later, the full moon rose again. The old bachelor hurried to the lake and hid in the bushes. Soon the seven maidens came down from heaven, just as before.
Eldest Maiden: "What a lovely fence! Let us hang our shawls here."Youngest Maiden: "Yes, sisters! Now we can bathe without worry."
The maidens hung their shawls on the fence and jumped into the water. While they were laughing and playing, the old bachelor crept out, quiet as a mouse. He took one shawl and hid it away.
Chapter 6: The Youngest Maiden
When the bathing was over, the maidens hurried to put on their shawls. One by one, they rose into the sky. But the youngest maiden could not find her shawl.
Youngest Maiden: "My shawl! Where is my shawl? Sisters, please help me!"Eldest Maiden: "We cannot find it, little sister. We must return before the moon sets!"Youngest Maiden: "Please do not leave me!"
Sadly, her sisters had to fly back to heaven without her. The youngest maiden was left all alone by the lake. She felt so sad that she could not go home. Slowly, she walked away into the night.
Chapter 7: The Mystery Remains
Where did the youngest maiden go? No one knows to this day. Some say she wandered far away, and some say she is still waiting for a way back to heaven.
And that is the story of The Origin of Pagar Dewa, a folktale from Bengkulu.
References:
- Prahana, Naim Emel. 1988. Cerita Rakyat Dari Bengkulu 2. Jakarta: Grasindo.
- Agni, Danu. 2013. Cerita Anak Seribu Pulau. Yogyakarta: Buku Pintar.
- Komandoko, Gamal. 2013. Koleksi Terbaik 100 plus Dongeng Rakyat Nusantara. Jakarta: PT Buku Seru.
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