Short Story (Cerpen)

Sacred Guava Tree

Category: Ghost Horror Short story

Title: Sacred Guava Tree

______________________

In the afternoon Pak Wiji piled cattle and goat feed in the cage, because tomorrow must join the mrogan to welcome the arrival of Kanjeng Regent. As with all residents in this village, for those who have the need to work in the fields or gardens tomorrow must be postponed or work completed today.

Pak Wiji took water in the well, then cooked it with rice bran and salt to give the female cow poang to drink so as not to catch a cold. Because the air these days is so volatile, from cold to hot and vice versa. To the extent that Mr. Wiji himself who often got in the wind. If Mr. Wiji has been hit by the wind then it is Bu Wiji's turn to get additional work of kneading and scraping.

Mr. Dukuh has been waiting a week to clean up the village environment because Kanjeng Regent wants to go through here. And as always, people are happy to welcome the arrival of Kanjeng Regent. The road that is split temporarily will be piled up, the grass on the side of the road will definitely be clean, so that things that do not need to be cleaned are also cleaned. Just like the shady trees even in the cut branches so impressed prampang.

Citizens even though they are not commanded already know what needs to be done. Gotong royong taste is very thick seems to be very helpful work that needs to be completed quickly. Red and white bulbs raised, the fences in white paint neat even though it is actually just dlingo paint or cheap chalk. But the chalk paint that is often made by the residents themselves is very effective, once the surface of the fence is covered in white. If the gedhek house is painted plus a little cow dung so that the bamboo woven wall is durable for years.

That day Pak Pringgo guava tree was also exposed to cleaning because it was located right on the side of the road. Many lamented that the tree was cut down, especially the little ones who felt that the tree belonged to them because the fruit was thick and sweet. Mr. Pringgo himself has been waiting for neighbors including to Mr. Wiji not to cut down the tree. The message is that the tree will not disturb Kanjeng Regent when passing by here. But during a sudden inspection by Mr. Dukuh, he wanted the tree to be cut down. Mr. Wiji has explained to all residents that the tree should not be cut down. The tree remains slashed according to the wishes of Mr. Dukuh and all residents have been convinced that the person responsible is Mr. Dukuh. Mr. Pringgo himself who is elderly only suggests that before cutting down should do the offerings first. The pilgrim in the sense of giving some kind of prayer and apology to the Tree that they will cut down.

An elderly and ordinary people who lead the traditional events of the citizens were immediately summoned by Mr. Wiji to lead the ceremony. The day is near noon when Pak Kaum comes to lead the world. Pak Kaum is ready with all his prayer equipment including market snacks to be offered before the trees are cut down. But before the tree was cut down, all the children close to the residence of Mr. Pringgo suddenly possessed. Some were screaming hysterically while their eyes bulged, some were convulsing badly. The villagers who were focusing on the work of cleaning the environment became confused. Mr. Kaum himself was also confused to see the strange symptoms caused by the plan to cut the guava tree. The people called out not to be the plan to cut down the tree, rather than wreaking havoc for the villagers. Mr. Pringgo also suggested that, after hearing the screams of one of the boys who was possessed, he said, that if the guava tree becomes cut down then the tree dwellers will also cut off the neck of Kanjeng Regent when passing this road. All the residents then agreed not to cut down the guava tree. All were determined when later asked by Mr. Dukuh, why the tree was not cut down they will explain the events of the day.

The day of the visit has arrived, all the gates and fences of the earth on the left right of the road to be traversed already look very clean in white paint. Before Kanjeng Regent arrived, there were several groups who were pacing through the road to ensure that everything was in order and safe. An hour later the situation along the road was crowded by the community who also welcomed the visit of the regent Kanjeng. Little children in his mother's arms, grandfathers in fast clothes and all residents poured into the streets to welcome the arrival of Kanjeng Regent.

Only the guava tree is indeed the only tree that looks still thick and shady because the villagers do not dare to cut it down. Vehicles boarded by the Regent's kanjeng troupe have been seen at the end of the road. The little ones who were possessed yesterday cheered that the company had arrived. The fun was so loud that all the residents were also happy to cheer. Kanjeng Bupati plans to build a cooperative that will be used for the benefit of farmers.. Because the majority of residents here are farmers and farmers, the residents welcomed the plan. Passing over the unsheathed guava tree, the vehicle walked a bit slowly and the whole group looked towards the tree. Apparently the news of yesterday's incident has reached the ears of Kanjeng Regent. It turned out that the group was safe through the sacred guava tree, they all looked relieved and happy while waving their hands towards the residents. But not a hundred meters past the tree, the group and the whole community were startled by the sound of tongs that signified danger. Everyone who heard the fart began to be confused and panicked because they did not know what was happening. The sound of clapping is getting louder and louder in passing with the sound of another fart again and the sounds of screaming. The group's guards prepared to quickly secure the vehicle that was boarded by Kanjeng Bupati. But the vehicle could not stay away from the village, which is being hit by mysterious events, because all residents spilled on the streets. A moment later it was only discovered that there were two cows pulling a cart filled with manure was rampaging. For some reason the cart-pulling cow suddenly went berserk.

The driver of the Kanjeng Regent had run first, while the Kajeng Regent and his entourage were still in the vehicle. Inevitably the group vehicle was also the target of a rampage of cow carts until the spill of manure that was still wet was spilling the vehicle and the person inside. After a long time the wagon went berserk, the cows were tired as well and regained their composure. The car that has not been shaped is now handled by the owner. Residents can only stroke the chest to see the very event that arrived. The incident did not take any injuries or lives but it has foiled the visit of Kanjeng Regent in the village.

The next day news of the visit's failure had been widely circulated throughout the county. Even the letter of the local cabr also contains very strange news with mystical languages. Some interpret the incident is the rejection of the ancestral spirit spirit to the visit of Kanjeng Regent, which is associated with the behavior of the ruler and his family who like to spend time and forget his duties as a community organizer. Also some say that Kenjeng Regent really likes to be bribed by entrepreneurs with luxury goods from abroad. The talks among the public are increasingly heard, and the District intelligence services have not bothered to hide to find people who do not like the Regent Kanjeng.

Day to day discordant voices directed to Kanjeng Regent do not recede. In markets, in schools, in coffee shops all speak their own language according to their level of knowledge. The advisers of Kanjeng Regent consisting of professors from the fields of economics, politics, and culture who often appear in the media and newspapers still consistently defend the district head.

Although not overtly, advisers often stay in the Regency or residence of Kanjeg Regent to also think about solving the upheaval among the community. And once a meeting in the middle of the night was shocked by a package of mice carcasses by an unknown person. The advisers encouraged the Kanjeng Regent to hold a press release about the incident.

It is also recommended that the Regent Kanjeng should not be angry with the incident and still behave politely in front of everyone. From a cultural expert advisor, we get the suggestion that we should not consider upheaval at the lower level because it is a very common thing. He said that all the talk will be just talk without any action because the character of our society is cowardly or inlander.

They mostly just go along and talk to show that they like to read the newspaper and see the news. And the clever people who like to protest are easily bribed with titles and positions. If there are militants, let alone because they will be considered crazy with their ideas and speech.

Instead the adviser suggested that the District Shaman be replaced only, because the real threat is from the spirits of the ancestors who are militant and dangerous. So that events like the other day do not happen again, so that visits remain smooth and power will not be threatened by all the forces of protesting spirits. Finally, Kanjeng Regent followed the advice of his advisor because all the analysis is very reasonable, Kanjeng Regent appointed the advisor to be the new District Shaman.

FOLLOW IG ME

@fidelria_10