Three Cross - Time Youths

Jayak, Mado, and Kunta

Sunlight slowly slips through the cracks of leafy leaves that shade the small village where Jayak, Mado, and Kunta live. From a distance, there was a gurgling river water playing with rocks, conveying the story of nature that never ends.

Suddenly, the rooster with a fiery red feather cocked proudly, marking the start of a new day. Jayak, who was used to getting up early, spread out his hands, then slowly got up from his bed made of straw. He looked at the rising sun with determination in his eyes, then took out his wooden sword and started to perform some martial arts moves. Each sweep of his sword felt full of energy, his body moving agilely to the rhythm he had mastered over the years.

In the house next door, Mado was sitting on the bamboo floor with her legs crossed, picking up her feathers and ink. His facial expression looked solemn, his eyes staring at the blank paper before him, as if looking for inspiration. Suddenly, he smiled, his eyes sparkling as if finding the right words for his poem. He began to write with passion.

Meanwhile, Kunta was outside his home, among a pile of baskets containing a wide variety of merchandise. He meticulously inspected each item, making sure everything was in good condition. Kunta is the type of person who is always detailed and meticulous. However, at that moment he looked a little awkward. Suddenly, a banana fell from one of his baskets.

Without realizing it, Kunta stepped right on top of the banana. His right leg slipped, and in an instant, with a shocked facial expression, he fell hard to the ground. Jayak, who saw him from afar, quits his training, and Mado's eyes are turned away from his writing.

The two of them tried to hold back the laughter, but when they saw Kunta's confused expression still lying on the ground with a banana beside him, they couldn't help but laugh.

"Country!" yayak exclaimed with a laugh, "You okay?"

Kunta, with a dead red face, rose slowly. "I'm fine," he said as he wiped the ground off his shirt, "Just a little surprised. Who left bananas here?"

Mado patted Kunta on the shoulder in a friendly manner, "Maybe it's a sign that you should start the day by eating fruit, pal."

The three of them laughed together, enjoying togetherness amidst the simple village life. In the distance, the sounds of children playing and laughing cheerfully added to the warmth of the morning, while the leaves swaying in the cool breeze added peace to their hearts.

A day that seemed ordinary, yet filled with fond memories for the three.

The village is vibrant. Every corner of the village is decorated with colorful ribbons and wildflowers picked from the surrounding forest. It was an annual ritual day, a sacred tradition that had been going on since their ancestors. All the villagers gathered in the main square, wearing their best traditional clothes. The air was warm, but the wind blowing from the east carried the scent of fertile soil and spring flowers.

In the middle of the field, a huge altar had been erected. On it were various offerings; fresh fruits, grains, and selected flowers. Jayak, with a white turban on his head and a wooden sword on his waist, stood on the left side of the altar, serving as a ritual security guard. Kunta, with his wares basket, sat on the right side, providing items that might be needed during the ritual.

Meanwhile, Mado, standing in the middle of the altar, prepares to lead the ritual as a village shaman. His face looked solemn, yet behind it, there was a frown of anxiety. This is his first time leading this ritual since the previous village shaman died last year.

"We gather here to beg for soil fertility and a good harvest" Mado said in a trembling voice. He then began to cast a spell in a loud voice. All the villagers, including Jayak and Kunta, closed their eyes, immersed in prayer.

But something seems wrong. When Mado was about to say the part ****** of the mantra, she slipped the word. He should have said 'fertile earth', but what came out was 'fertile ceiling'. Shortly after, cloudy clouds began to gather over the field.

Kunta opened his eyes, "Will it rain? But the weather was sunny."

Jayak, with an anxious expression, whispered, "Mado, what are you doing?"

Before Mado could answer, it suddenly started raining. But not the falling water, but the little fish! The village instantly became frenzied. The children ran around the pleasure of trying to catch fish, while the adults looked confused and surprised.

Mado, with a pale face, looked at Jayak and Kunta, "I... I think I'm wrong with the spell."

Jayak, trying to hold back a laugh, said, "Yes, we can see that. But look on the bright side, we've got plenty of fish for dinner."

Kunta added, "And maybe I can sell some of them tomorrow."

Over time, the villagers began to enjoy the 'rain of fish. They joked, laughed, and were grateful for this unexpected blessing.

When the sun starts to sink, the ritual is over. Although not as expected, the day left behind memories that would be told over and over again over the years.

"Thank you, Mado," Kunta said with a smile, "You may have the wrong spell, but you have given this village a story that will never be forgotten."

Mado smiled shyly, "Just hope next year I can remember the correct mantra."

Jayak patted Mado on the back, "You did well. And hey, who can say they ever make a rain of fish fall from the sky?"

Sunlight began to fade, creating a warm orange feel in the sky. The leaves of the trees by the river play with the afternoon breeze, creating a natural melodrama that is so calm and peaceful. The river water flowed with a certain rhythm, reflecting the sunlight that began to sink and danced on its surface.

Jayak, Mado, and Kunta sat on a large rock by the river. Jayak is tying a bait on his fishing line, Mado is busy with his notebook, while Kunta seems annoyed by his always messy fishing rod.

"You're sure you can teach me how to fish, Jayak?" kunta asked with a frustrated expression.

Jayak looked over with a big smile. "Patience, Kunta. Fishing requires patience. Look, here's how." Jayak then threw his hook into the middle of the river with a very agile movement.

Kunta stared attentively. "It looks easy when you do."

Mado, without turning her head from her book, said, "Everything seems easy when Jayak does it."

Jayak laughs. "Thank you for your compliment, Mado. It's your turn, Kunta."

Eagerly, Kunta tried to throw his hook. However, instead of landing in the middle of the river, the hook was instead stuck in a tree branch behind it.

Mado chuckled, "Looks like you're better at tree fishing, Kunta."

Kunta snorted in annoyance, "I'll try again."

A few minutes passed, and Kunta began to feel something tugging at his hook. Eyes sparkling. "I got something!"

Jayak and Mado stared with enthusiasm. However, when Kunta pulled the hook, it was not a fish that was obtained, but an old bottle with a lid that was still tight.

Mado sneered, "Congratulations! You've caught.. bottle!"

Jayak, who always tries to be positive, adds, "There may be a treasure inside."

Kunta opened the bottle and found a piece of shabby paper. Curiously, he read it.

"'For anyone who finds this message: Congratulations! You've found a message from someone who's very bored. May your day be more pleasant than I am writing this.'", read it with a confused expression.

The three of them laughed. "At least, this makes our afternoon more interesting" Mado said.

Kunta, although initially upset, now smiled. "Yes, I agree. And I guess fishing isn't my talent."

Jayak patted Kunta's back gently. "Everyone has their own talent. Maybe fishing isn't one of them for you."

The three of them then sat down peacefully, enjoying the warmth of the dim sun, while listening to the whirring of the wind and the flowing stream. Although no fish were caught, the afternoon remained one of the precious moments they enjoyed together.