Prabu Tapa
Agung had led a kingdom in West Java for a long time. He was getting old and
therefore wanted to choose a successor. But unfortunately, he had no son. He
thought of choosing one of his daughters, Purbararang and Purbasari. But it
wasn’t an easy choice. They were both very pretty and smart. The only
difference was their temperament. Purbararang was rude and dishonest, while
Purbasari was kind and caring. With those considerations, Prabu Tapa Agung
finally chose Purbasari to be his successor.
Purbararang didn’t agree with her father’s
decision. “It’s supposed to be me, Father. I’m the eldest daughter!”
Purbararang said. Prabu Tapa Agung smiled. “Purbararang, to be a queen takes
more than age. There are many other qualities that one must possess,” explained
Prabu Tapa Agung wisely. “What does Purbasari have that I don’t?” Purbararang
pouted. “You’ll find out when Purbasari has replaced me,” Prabu Tapa Agung
answered.
After the discussion, Purbararang went back to
her room. “Is there something wrong?” asked Indrajaya. Indrajaya is
Purbararang’s future husband. “I’m upset! Father chose Purbasari as his
successor and not me! I have to do something!” Purbararang said. Driven mad by
her anger, she came to a witch and asked her to send rash all over Purbasari’s
body. Before going to bed, Purbasari started to feel itch all over her body.
She tried applying powder to her body, but it’s no use. Instead, the itching
grew even worse. She didn’t want to scratch it, but she just couldn’t help it.
In the next morning, there were scratch mark all over Purbasari’s body. “What
happened to you?” asked Purbararang, pretending to be concerned. “I don’t know,
sis. Last night, my body suddenly felt very itchy. I scratched and scratched,
and this is what happened,” Purbasari answered. Purbararang shook her head.
“You must have done something really awful. You’ve been punished by the gods!”
That day, the whole kingdom was scandalized.
“What have you done, Purbasari?” demanded Prabu Tapa Agung. Purbasari shook her
head. “I didn’t do anything that would upset the gods, Father,” she answered.
“Then how can you explain what happened to your body?” Prabu Tapa Agung asked
again. “If you don’t confess, I’ll banish you to the woods.” Purbasari took a
deep breath. “Like I said before, I didn’t do anything wrong. And I’d rather be
thrown into the woods than to confess to a deed I didn’t commit.”
After a short discussion with his advisor,
Prabu Tapa Agung ordered Purbasari to be moved to the woods. Purbasari was very
sad, but she couldn’t do anything to defy her father’s order. She was
accompanied to the woods by a messenger. He built a simple hut for Purbasari.
After the messenger left, suddenly a black monkey came to Purbasari’s hut. He
carried a bunch of bananas. From behind him, some animals looked on. “Are the
bananas for me?’ Purbasari asked. The black monkey nodded, as if he understood
what Purbasari said. Purbasari took the bananas with pleasure. She also said
thanks. The other animals that were looking on also seemed to smile. “Are you
willing to be my friend?” Purbasari asked them. All the animals nodded happily.
Although she was living by herself in the woods, Purbasari never lacked of
supplies. Everyday, there were always animals bringing her fruits and fish to
eat.
A long time had passed since Purbasari was
banished to the woods, but her body still itched. At some places, her skin was
even ulcerating. What am I supposed to do?” Purbasari sighed. The monkey who
was sitting next to her stayed still, there were tears in his eyes. He hoped
Purbasari would remain patient and strong.
One night, on a full moon, the monkey took
Purbasari to a valley. There is a pond with hot spring water. The monkey
suddenly spoke, “The water of this pond will heal your skin,” he said.
Purbasari was surprised, ”You can talk? Who are you?” she asked. “You’ll find
out, in time,” the monkey said. Purbasari didn’t want to force the monkey. She
then walked to the pond. She bathed there. After a few hours, Purbasari walked
out of the pond. She was shocked to see her face reflected on the clear pond
water. Her face was beautiful again, with smooth and clean skin. Purbasari
observed her entire body. There were no traces of any skin ailments. “I’m
cured! I’m cured!” Purbasari shouted in joy. She quickly offered thanks to the
gods and also to the monkey.
The news of Purbasari’s condition quickly
spread to the kingdom, irritating Purbararang. She then accompanied by
Indrajaya go to the woods to see Purbasari. Purbasari asked if she would be
allowed to go home. Purbararang said she would let Purbasari return to the
palace if Purbasari’s hair were longer than hers. Purbararang then let her hair
down. It was so long, it almost touched the ground. But it turned out that
Purbasari’s hair was twice longer than Purbararang’s hair.
“Fine, so your hair is longer than mine.”
Purbararang admitted. “But there is one more condition you must fulfill, do you
have a future husband who is handsomer than mine?” said Purbararang as she
walked toward Indrajaya. Purbasari felt miserable. She didn’t have a future
husband yet. So, without much thought, she pulled the black monkey beside her.
Purbararang and Indrajaya burst out, but their
laughter didn’t last long. The monkey meditates and suddenly transformed into a
very handsome young man, a lot more handsome than Indrajaya. “I’m a prince from
a kingdom far away. I was cursed to be a monkey because of a mistake I
committed. I could regain my true form only if there’s a girl who would be
willing to be my wife,” said the young man.
Finally, Purbararang gave up. She accepted
Purbasari as the queen, and also confessed everything she had done. “Please
forgive me. Please don’t punish me,” Purbararang said, asking for forgiveness.
Instead of being angry, Purbasari smiled. “I forgive you, sis,” she said. Soon
after, Purbasari become queen. Beside her was the handsome prince, the former
monkey known as Lutung Kasarung.
Research : http://feradesliaahyar.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/10-cerita-rakyat-dalam-bahasa-inggris/
