Three Cross - Time Youths

Paper Money and Misconceptions

The day was scorching in the city, shining down on the streets filled with people on the move. The skyscrapers cast their long shadows over the pavement, providing a bit of shade for pedestrians. Among them, Kunta walks with definite steps, entering a city park filled with shady trees and colorful flowers. This park becomes a kind of oasis for city residents who want to unwind.

After walking around, Kunta's eyes were fixed on an ice cream vendor serving small children. Kunta approached, interested in tasting. "How much?" tanyanya, pointing at chocolate ice cream.

The ice cream seller, a middle-aged man with a thick mustache and a friendly smile, replied, "Five thousand rupiahs only, sir."

Kunta took his wallet and opened it. Looking at the pile of banknotes in it, he tried to remember the lessons about the currency he learned from Jayak and Mado. However, one thing that Kunta missed was the concept of face value. Assuming that the money with the bigger picture is worth more, Kunta took a hundred thousand money sheet and gave it to the seller.

The seller was surprised, his eyes widened for a moment, then he smiled widely. "Thank you very much, sir! Here's the change," he said, giving Kunta some ice cream and some change, but it's definitely not worth what Kunta should have received.

Kunta, innocently, received the ice cream and the change. "Any," he murmured, "Why does he look so happy? Is this ice cream special?"

He sat on a park bench, enjoying his ice cream while watching the children play. Jayak and Mado then appear, carrying a grocery bag. Seeing Kunta enjoying the ice cream, Mado asked, "How does it feel?"

Kunta replied, "It's normal, but the seller seemed very happy when I paid for it."

Jayak, who was curious, asked, "How much do you pay?"

Kunta showed me a hundred thousand note. "I think it's the most valuable because the picture is big."

The look on Mado's face changed, "Cunta! That's too much for ice cream! You should have given him five grand!"

Jayak tried to hold back the laughter, "So you gave him a big tip, huh? No wonder he looked so happy."

Kunta looked confused, "Tip? What'sthat?"

Mado explained, "It was extra money given to the waiter or seller as a token of gratitude. But it's usually not that much."

Kunta was embarrassed, "Oh, I'm not used to these banknotes yet. In my day, we use valuables like gold or silver to transact."

Jayak patted Kunta on the back, "It's okay. We are all still learning. Besides, maybe today you're making that ice cream seller's day better."

The three laughed, realizing that although they sometimes made mistakes due to lack of knowledge about the modern world, they always had each other to remind and learn together.

In a convenience store located on the corner of a city street, the bustle of shoppers gives life to the neighborhood. The sky is twilight with a touch of orange and pink, reflecting its light onto the glittering shop's tiled floor. The clattering sound of money and the squeaking of the cash register mixed with the roar of the wind and the sound of little children playing in the park across the street.

Kunta held a hundred thousand note in his hand, walking doubtfully towards the cashier. "Sorry, can I exchange this for a smaller banknote?" he asked with a trembling voice.

The cashier's maid, a young woman with hair braided in two, frowned. "Where did you get it?" ask him suspiciously.

Kunta was puzzled by the woman's reaction, "I got it from someone while paying. Why?"

Suddenly, a loud voice resounded from behind. "Hold him!" the shopkeeper shouted as he ran towards Kunta, accompanied by a policeman.

Kunta was startled and retreated, "What is this?"

"He's a thief!" accuse the store owner, point at Kunta. "This paper money is fake!"

Jayak, who saw the commotion from a distance away, immediately ran towards Kunta. Seeing the police, Jayak quickly took a fighting position, ready to show his flagship silat. "Let go of my friend!" he said with a firm tone.

The policeman raised an eyebrow, surprised but at the same time comforted. "Relax, Sir. We can talk well" he said patiently.

Suddenly, Mado ran over, breathed short, and stopped right between Kunta and Jayak. "Wait a minute!" he shouted, then without hesitation he began to speak in a poetic tone, "In this city's flower garden, misunderstandings are rampant, like flowers are swapped pots. Let's talk to a cold heart and head, so as not to cause chaos."

Everything there seemed confused. Jayak tilted his head, "Mado, what are you doing?"

Mado took a deep breath, "I try to calm the atmosphere with poetry."

The policeman tried to hold back the laughter. "Alright, let's hear this man's explanation," he said, pointing to Kunta.

After a while of investigation, by looking at CCTV and interrogating several witnesses, the police concluded that Kunta was indeed innocent. The fake money was obtained from the ice cream seller he had previously bought.

Mado, with a relieved face, said, "We should be more careful in the future."

Jayak nodded, "Right. And maybe we should learn more about this world."

Kunta smiled weakly, "Thank you, guys. You're always there for me."

With the sun increasingly sinking, the three walk away from the store with lighter hearts, yet with valuable lessons about life in modern times.

With the background of the sky starting to darken, a simple apartment stands majestically in the middle of the city. The tall buildings around him looked like towering giants, with their window lights twinkling like stars. The apartment they chose was on the fifth floor, with stunning views of the city from its windows.

"We finally have our own home" said Mado with a face of sighingah as she breathed a sigh of relief.

Kunta nodded, "Right. Although this is not like home in our time, at least we have a place to rest."

Jayak stepped in, standing in the middle of the room with a solemn expression, "There's a lot of foreign equipment here. We have to be careful."

Mado pointed to a boxed object in the corner of the room, "That's what? It looks like an oven, but it's different from what we used to see."

"That's the microwave" replied Kunta who had seen him while walking around the mall. "But I don't know how to use it."

Jayak approached him, checked carefully, and accidentally pressed the 'start' button'. The microwave sounds with a loud, rotating beep. Jayak, with quick reflexes, was ready with a fighting position, "What attack is this?!"

Kunta tried to calm Jayak down, "Relax, it's just a machine. It won't hurt us."

Mado laughed as she shook her head, "We really have to learn a lot about the equipment here."

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, making the three jump in shock. Jayak quickly took a defensive position, "Some one is coming!"

Mado walked towards the door, "It was just a bell. Maybe the neighbors are welcoming."

However, when Mado opened the door, there was no one. Kunta lifted a small object from the floor, "What is this?"

"That's the remote control" Mado replied. "To control the television."

Kunta looked at the thing with sparkling eyes, "Magic wand! I heard about this. With this, we can control everything!"

Mado laughed, "Not a magic wand, Kunta. Try pressing the button."

Kunta pressed a few buttons, and the television in the living room lit up, displaying images and sounds. Kunta looked enchanted, "It's magical!"

Jayak approached and checked the remote, "So with this, we can see what's going on in the world?"

Mado nodded, "Yes, we can see news, movies, or other events."

The three sat on the sofa, watching television while trying to make sense of the program being aired. Although initially confused, they began to be entertained with modern shows.

As the night wore on, Mado stood up and yawned, "It's time for bed. Tomorrow we have to start living a new life here."

Kunta and Jayak nodded, "Right. Thank you for everything you've done, Mado."

Mado smiled, "We are a team. Together we can get through anything."

With gratitude and renewed hope, the three sleep in his new apartment, embarking on a new chapter in their lives in the modern era.