indonesian Legend

legend of porpoises

Legend of Pesut Fish

In ancient times in a hamlet in the Mahakam region, there was a very happy little family. They consist of a husband and wife and two sons and daughters. Their living needs can be fulfilled from the results of gardens planted with various types of fruits and vegetables. So can all kinds of difficulties be overcome in a wise way.

One day the wife was struck by an illness.  There have been many healers who treat, but the disease never healed until the wife died. The death of the wife, this family life began to be taken care of again. They dissolve into deep sadness at the loss of their loved ones. The father became quiet and dim-witted, while his two children were always overwhelmed with confusion, not knowing what to do. Their homes and gardens are no longer maintained. Some village elders have tried to advise the father not to dissolve in grief, but their advice cannot change him. This situation lasted quite a long time.

As usual in the hamlet was again held a traditional harvest party. Various performances and entertainment were re-enacted. In an art show, there is a beautiful and charming girl so that she always gets the welcome of the young people when she acts. Hearing the news, it was also the heart of the father to witness how the greatness of the show was so praised by the villagers that many young people were crazy about making it.

Slowly the father approached the venue where the girl was going to play. He deliberately stood in front so that he could clearly watch the game and the face of the girl. The show finally started. Unlike the rest of the audience, the father did not laugh much amusedly or praise the appearance of the girl. However, once in a while there was also the father smiling little. The girl threw her sweet smile at the audience who praised her as well as the one who teased her. One day, he finally met a vision between the girl and the father. This incident repeated several times, and it is not expected at all that the love between the girl and the father of the two children and they agreed to marry.

After getting the blessing of the elder and his two children, they finally held a wedding a week after the traditional party. It turns out that their lives improved after having a stepmother. The woman was diligent in cooking, she also took good care of them. But that situation did not last long. A few years later, their stepmother began to exhibit her true traits. He became cruel, every day the two children were told to work hard. He also no longer cooks. The children were given only leftover food. Their father did not dare say anything, he was afraid that his wife would leave.

Until one day, the woman decided to stop caring for her two stepchildren. So, he devised an evil plan.

“Today, you have to find as much firewood. The number should be three times what you brought yesterday! Don't dare go home if you haven't collected that much wood!” his orders.

The two children did not dare to refute, obediently they immediately set off for the forest. It was late in the afternoon, but the wood they gathered was still a little. Remembering the message of his stepmother, they did not dare to go home. They even decided to stay in the forest. Thankfully, there was an empty cottage. With a rumbling stomach, they slept exhausted.

The next day, they continued their work. Without despair, they continued to collect firewood until it was finally collected as well. But the two children almost fainted from exhaustion and hunger.

They were lying limp, an old grandfather who happened to pass by approached them.

“You why? Why is your face so pale?” ask the grandfather.

The two boys told the grandfather everything. Because of pity, he showed the place of the fruit trees. They followed the instructions of the grandfather and greedily ate the fruits. After their energy recovered, the two children rushed home.

“Dad, Mom, we're home. Look at this wood we brought, it feels enough to stock up a month,” cried the boy.

They looked for their parents to the room, but nothing. They saw that their parents' wardrobe was empty, and some of the furniture was gone. Realize to them that their father and stepmother have left secretly.

They cry out so much. The neighbors who heard came to ask what happened. Hearing the story of the two, the neighbors felt sorry for offering to stay with them. But both children refused. They insist on finding the stepmother's father.

The next day, the two children began a search. They walked in and out of the village tirelessly. On the third day, their supplies ran out. They stopped at a house to eat and drink. The owner of the house was a good grandfather. He asked their purpose and purpose.

“It feels like Grandpa knows where your parents are going. A few days ago, Grandfather saw a man and a woman crossing a river. They brought a lot of stuff.” said the Grandfather after hearing their story.

“Really? Then, we have to cross the river immediately, Kek,” replied the boy. Grandpa lent him the boat. With courage, they crossed the river.

The children took turns rowing the boat. Not feeling, they were across. After anchoring the boat, they began to search. They walked through the quiet hamlet, until they finally found a house that seemed to have just been built. They approached the house and called their father. Because there was no answer, they entered the house. And sure enough, inside they saw their lost furniture and the clothes of their father and stepmother.

Both kids were very happy. “At last we found our parents, Dik,” said the boy.

“i am so happy. But now I'm hungry, I want to eat,” replied his sister. They went to the kitchen. “Ah, this is a hot pot of porridge. Apparently Mom forgot to put out the fire,” shouted the girl. Quickly they eat well. For a moment, the porridge ran aground unnoticed.

After eating, the two children lay down to rest. But strange things happen to them. Suddenly their body temperature became hot, as hot as the porridge that had just been lifted from the fire. Because they can't stand the heat, they run towards the river. Along the way to the river, the two children hugged the banana trees they encountered. They hope, by hugging the banana tree, his body heat will be reduced. It's true, their bodies are very hot. The proof, the leaves and stems of the banana trees they hug are directly Iayu, but their body heat is not reduced as well.

As soon as they arrived at the river, the two children immediately threw themselves together. Meanwhile, their father and stepmother were on their way home. They were amazed to see the number of banana trees that Iayu.

Arriving at home, they were surprised to see the door open. The stepmother hurriedly checked the kitchen. He shouted that the porridge he was cooking was gone. The father was sure his children had found him. Then he went looking for them.

The couple walked by following the direction of the banana trees that had been Iayu and arrived at the river. They saw two fish moving here and there while spitting water from the head. How surprised the man was. He was sure that both fish were his children. But he was even more surprised when he turned his head and his wife was no longer beside him. Now he realized that his wife was no ordinary man. He regretted why he did not ask the origin of his wife before marriage.

Since then, by the local community, the fish that spurts water is called pesut.