Lessons and Fairy Tales

Indonesian Legend Story – Timun Mas

In ancient times, there lived a husband and wife of a farmer. They live in a village near the forest. They live happily. Unfortunately, they have not been given a child.

Every day they pray to the Almighty. They prayed to be given a child soon. One day a giant passed by their dwelling. The giant heard the husband and wife's prayer. The giant then gave them cucumber seeds.

“Eplant these seeds. Later you will get a daughter,” said the Giant. “Thank you, Giant,” said the husband and wife. “But there are conditions. At the age of 17 years the child should you hand it over to me,” said the Giant. The husband and wife miss a child. Without thinking they agree.

The husband and wife of the farmer then planted the cucumber seeds. Every day they take care of the plants that start to grow as well as possible. Months later a golden cucumber was grown.

The cucumber fruit is getting bigger and heavier. When the fruit was ripe, they picked it. Carefully they cut the fruit. To their surprise, in the fruit they found a beautiful baby girl. The husband and wife are very happy. They named the baby Cucumbers.

Year after year passed. Cucumber Mas grew into a beautiful girl. Both of his parents were very proud of him. But they became very afraid. Because on the 17th birthday of Timun Mas, the giant came back. The giant won the promise to take Timun Mas.

The farmer tried to calm down. “Please wait a minute. Cucumber Mas is playing. My wife will call him,” he said. The farmer soon found his son. “Ankkku, take this,” he said as he handed me a cloth bag. “This will help you fight the Giant. Now run as fast as you can,” he said. Then Timun Mas immediately fled.

The giant immediately ran after Timun Mas. The giant is getting closer. Cucumber Mas immediately took a handful of salt from his cloth bag. Then the salt was sprinkled towards the Giant. Suddenly, a vast sea floated. The giant had to swim with great difficulty.

Cucumber ran again. But then the Giant almost caught up with him. Cucumber Mas again took the magical object from his pocket. He took a handful of chili. The chili was thrown towards the giant. Instantly a tree with sharp twigs and thorns traps the Giant. The giant screamed in pain. While Timun Mas ran to save himself.

But the giant is strong. He almost caught Timun Mas. Then Timun Mas also issued a third magical object. He spreads magic cucumber seeds. Instantly grow a very large garden of cucumbers. The giant was very tired and hungry. He ate the fresh cucumbers voraciously. Because of eating too much, the Giant fell asleep.

Cucumber Mas fled again. He ran with all his might. But over time the power ran out. Worse still because the Giant woke up from his sleep. The giant almost caught him. Cucumber is very scared. He threw his last weapon, a handful of shrimp paste. There was another miracle. A vast lake of mud lay. The giant fell into it. His hand almost reached Timun Mas. But the mud lake pulled him to the bottom. Monster panic. He couldn't breathe, and drowned.

Cucumber Mas relieved. It has survived. Cucumber returned to his parents' house. Father and Mother Timun Mas is happy to see Timun Mas safe. They welcomed. “Thank you, God. You saved my son,” they said happily.

Since then Timun Mas can live quietly with his parents. They can live happily without fear anymore.