.jpg "Snake N’daung and Si Bungsu Bengkulu Folktale for Kids")
Chapter 1: A Poor Family at the Foot of the Mountain
It is said that a long, long time ago, a mother and her three children lived at the foot of a tall mountain in Bengkulu Province. They were very poor. All they had was a small, narrow plot of land where they grew a few plants to eat.
The mother had two older daughters and one youngest daughter. Everyone called the youngest Si Bungsu, which means "the youngest one." Even though they had very little, the children loved their mother dearly, and the mother loved them back with all her heart.
Chapter 2: Mother Falls Ill
One day, the mother fell very ill. She lay on her mat, too weak to stand. Her three children were so sad that tears rolled down their cheeks.
The wise people of the village came to visit. After looking at the mother carefully, one of them spoke up.
Wise Villager: "Your mother can only be cured with special healing leaves. They grow only at the very top of the mountain."Eldest Sister: "Then we must go and fetch them at once!"Wise Villager: "Wait, my child. There is more. The leaves must be boiled over a magic ember, and that ember can only be found in a cave on the mountain peak."
The children looked at each other with worried eyes.
Middle Sister: "Is there something dangerous in that cave?"Wise Villager: "Yes, little one. A mighty snake named N'daung lives there. Our ancestors told us that he gobbles up anyone who climbs to the top of the mountain."
Chapter 3: The Bravest of Them All
The two older sisters shivered with fear. They shook their heads and stepped back. But Si Bungsu stood up straight, wiped her tears, and made up her mind.
Si Bungsu: "I will go. I will climb to the top of the mountain and bring back the magic ember to heal our mother."Eldest Sister: "Oh, Si Bungsu, please don't! The mighty snake N'daung will eat you up!"Si Bungsu: "But what else can we do to help Mother? I would do anything for her. Anything at all."
The wise villager smiled kindly and gently patted her head.
Wise Villager: "Be careful, brave child. Remember, the snake eats anyone who is on the mountaintop. We cannot go with you, but we will pray for you every step of the way."
Chapter 4: Si Bungsu Meets the Snake N'daung
Si Bungsu set off at once. She climbed and climbed, higher and higher, until at last she reached the top of the mountain.
The air grew cold and strange. Huge, shadowy trees towered over her, and the wind whispered through their branches. Then came a terrible sound.
Ssssssss!
Si Bungsu's heart pounded like a drum. She tried to hide behind a tree, but it was too late. The great snake N'daung slithered out and stopped right in front of her. His sharp eyes glared down at her, and his long tongue flicked in and out.
Snake N'daung: "Hissss! How dare a little human climb to my mountaintop! I shall eat you right now!"
Si Bungsu trembled, but she did not run away. She knelt down before the snake, and tears fell from her eyes.
Si Bungsu: "Please, O mighty snake, have mercy. My mother is very sick. I have come only to ask for a magic ember to make her well."
The snake tilted his head and looked at her for a long moment.
Snake N'daung: "You risked your life, just to heal your mother?"Si Bungsu: "Yes, O mighty snake. I love my mother more than anything. Please, I beg you, help us."
Chapter 5: A Promise Is Made
The snake was quiet for a while. Then he spoke again, in a softer voice.
Snake N'daung: "Very well. I will give you the magic ember. But you must promise me one thing. You must become my wife."
Si Bungsu gasped. But when she thought of her poor mother lying weak on her mat, she knew what she had to do. She nodded her head.
Si Bungsu: "I promise. I will do it for the health of my mother."
The snake N'daung gave her the glowing magic ember.
Si Bungsu: "Thank you, kind snake! Please let me take this ember home to my family first. Then I will come back and keep my promise. I give you my word."
Chapter 6: The Curse Is Broken
Si Bungsu hurried down the mountain and gave the magic ember to her family. Soon the healing leaves were boiling, and her mother began to grow stronger. Then, just as she had promised, Si Bungsu returned to the top of the mountain.
And then something wonderful happened!
When Si Bungsu became the wife of the snake N'daung, the great snake began to glow. His scaly body changed shape, and in his place stood a handsome, strong young man!
Si Bungsu: "Oh! Who are you?"Prince Abdul Rahman Alamsyah: "I am Prince Abdul Rahman Alamsyah. A wicked curse turned me into a snake long ago. Your kindness and your promise have set me free, dear Si Bungsu."
Chapter 7: The Jealous Sisters
Meanwhile, down at the foot of the mountain, the two older sisters began to wonder.
Eldest Sister: "Si Bungsu gave us the magic ember, but she has not come back. Where could she be?"Middle Sister: "Maybe she went back to the cave. Let's climb up and find out!"
When they reached the mountaintop, they could hardly believe their eyes. There stood Si Bungsu beside a very handsome young man! Instead of feeling happy for her, the two sisters felt hot with jealousy.
Eldest Sister: "Why should she have such a handsome husband?"Middle Sister: "I have an idea. Let's do something to make the prince angry with her."
Sneaking into the cave, they found the old snakeskin. They set it on fire, hoping the prince would blame Si Bungsu and chase her away.
Chapter 8: Happily Ever After
But the sisters' trick did not work at all. When the prince saw the snakeskin burning, he laughed with joy.
Prince Abdul Rahman Alamsyah: "The snakeskin is burning! The curse is gone forever! Thank you, thank you!"
And so the prince and Si Bungsu lived happily ever after.
The legend of the Snake N'daung comes from Bengkulu. It tells of a prince who was cursed to live as a snake, until a kind and brave girl broke the curse. She only wanted to save her sick mother, and her love and courage changed everything.
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.
Ceritanya bagus-bagus pak. ijin copas ya.
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