The Golden Cucumber

Timun Mas (The Golden Cucumber)

Folklore from Central Java

ONCE upon a time, not far from a jungle, lived a husband and a wife. They were farmers. They were diligent farmers and always worked hard in the paddy fields. They had been married for many years and still not have a child yet. Every day they prayed and prayed for a child.

One night, while they were praying, a giant passed their house. The giant heard they pray.

"Don't worry farmers. I can give you a child. But you have to give me that child when she is 17 years old," said the giant.

The farmers were so happy. They did not think about the risk of losing their child later and agree to take the offer. Later, the giant gave them a bunch of cucumber seeds. The farmers planted them carefully. Then the seeds changed into plants.

Not longer after that, a big golden cucumber grew from plants. After it had ripe, the farmers picked and cut it. They were very surprised to see beautiful girl inside the cucumber. They named her Timun Mas or Golden Cucumber. Years passed by and Timun Mas has changed into a beautiful girl.

On her 17th birthday, Timun Mas was very happy. However, the parents were very sad. They knew they had to keep their promise to the giant but they also did not want to lose their beloved daughter.

"My daughter, take this bag. It can save you from the giant," said the father.

"What do you mean, Father? I don't understand," said Timun Mas.

Right after that, the giant came into their house.

"Run Timun Mas. Save your life!" said the mother. The giant was angry. He knew the farmers wanted to break their promise. He chased Timun Mas away. The giant was getting closer and closer.

Timun Mas then opened the bag and threw a handful of salt. It became a sea. The giant had to swim to cross the sea. Later, Timun Mas threw some chilli. It became a jungle with trees. The trees had sharp thorns so they hurt the giant.

However, the giant was still able to chase Timun Mas. Timun Mas took her third magic stuff. It was cucumber seeds. She threw them and became cucumber field.

But the giant still could escape from the field. Then it was the last magic stuff she had in the bag. It was a shrimp paste, terasi. She threw it and became a big swamp.

The giant was still trying to swim the swamp but he was very tired. Then he was drowning and died. TimunMas then immediately went home. The farmers were so happy that they finally together again. ***

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Timun Mas

Cerita Rakyat dari Jawa Tengah

SEKALI waktu, tidak jauh dari hutan, tinggal suami dan istri. Mereka adalah petani yang rajin dan selalu bekerja keras di sawah. Mereka telah menikah selama bertahun-tahun dan masih belum memiliki anak belum. Setiap hari mereka selalu berdoa untuk dikaruniai anak.

Suatu malam, saat mereka sedang sholat, raksasa melewati rumah mereka. Raksasa itu mendengar mereka berdoa.

"Jangan khawatir petani. Saya bisa memberikan anak. Tapi Anda harus memberikan anak itu saat dia berusia 17 tahun," kata raksasa itu.

Para petani sangat bahagia. Mereka tidak berpikir tentang risiko kehilangan anak mereka dikemudian hari dan setuju untuk mengambil tawaran. Kemudian, raksasa itu memberi mereka sekelompok biji mentimun. Para petani menanam dengan hati-hati. Kemudian bibit berubah menjadi tanaman.

Tidak lama setelah itu, mentimun emas besar tumbuh dari tanaman. Setelah matang, para petanimengambil dan memotongnya. Mereka sangat terkejut melihat anak yang cantik di dalam mentimun. Mereka menamai dia Mas Timun. Tahun berlalu dan Timun Mas telah berubah menjadi seorang gadis cantik.

Pada ulang tahunnya yang ke-17 nya, Timun Mas sangat senang. Namun, orang tuanya sangat sedih. Mereka tahu mereka harus memenuhi janji mereka kepada raksasa tetapi mereka juga tidak ingin kehilangan putri kesayangannya.

"Anakku, ambillah tas ini. Ini dapat menyelamatkanmu dari raksasa," kata sang ayah.

"Apa maksudmu, Ayah? Aku tidak mengerti," kata Timun Mas.

Tepat setelah itu, raksasa datang ke rumah mereka.

"Pergilah Timun Mas. Selamatkan hidupmu!" kata sang ibu. Raksasa itu marah. Dia tahu para petani ingin melanggar janji mereka. Dia mengejar Timun Mas pergi. Raksasa itu semakin mendekat.

Timun Mas kemudian membuka tas dan melemparkan segenggam garam yang kemudian menjadi lautan. Raksasa itu harus berenang untuk menyeberangi laut. Kemudian, Timun Mas melemparkan beberapa buah cabe yang kemudian menjadi hutan dengan pohon-pohon. Pohon-pohon memiliki duri yang tajam sehingga mereka menyakiti raksasa.

Namun, raksasa itu masih bisa mengejar Timun Mas. Timun Mas mengambil barang-barang sihir ketiga yaitu biji mentimun. Dia melemparkannya dan menjadi kebun mentimun.

Tapi raksasa masih bisa melarikan diri dari lapangan. Maka itu adalah hal terakhir yang dia punya sihir di kantong. Itu adalah terasi. Dia melemparkannya dan menjadi rawa besar.

Raksasa masih berusaha berenang di rawa tapi ia sangat lelah. Lalu ia tenggelam dan tewas. Timun Mas kemudian segera pulang. Keluarga petani sangat senang karena akhirnya mereka bersama lagi.