The Narrative Text

JAKA POLENG

A story from Brebes

taken from http://assets.kompasiana.com/

Once upon a time, there was an old woman named Bi Ojah who was sweeping the back yard hall of Brebes Regency. When she would burn the trash suddenly there was a handsome man approached while greeting, “Good morning, Bi Ojah!”. Then, he smiled and walked to a horse stable. His name was Laksito. He was a servant regent whose job was taking care of a regent’s horse named Kyai Genta. Laksito was liked by the regent because of his diligence and discipline. He always did his job well in the early morning. After her work had done, Bi Ojah called him, “Come here, boy ! Let’s take a rest for the moment !”. Then, Laksito came to Bi Ojah. “ Here they are, alu-alu cake and tea. I have made them for you.” said Bi Ojah. “Really? Thank you, Bi.” Laksito answered.

 One day, he went to the field for seeking grass for horse feed. Because of fatigue, he rested under the tree and fell asleep involuntarily. But, when he started to get asleep, he saw a Poleng serpent with the golden crown on its head. He was not sure and guessed that it was just a dream. After he was sure that it was not a dream, he woke up immediately and followed where the serpent went. However, the serpent disappeared in the bush and Laksito could not see the serpent again. He just found its scales and brought them in the pocket of his trousers.

After that event, he decided to go home. At home, he saw Bi ojah was cooking in the kitchen and he asked, “What are you cooking, Bi? I am so hungry now”. Bi Ojah was so surprised to hear that voice because she didn’t see anyone there. “Who is there?” Bi Ojah asked. Laksito answered, “ It’s me, Bi. I am Laksito”. Bi Ojah was so afraid while shouting, “Don’t lie to me ! You must be the ghost! Oh God, help me, help me!”. Hearing Bi Ojah shouted, the regent came to Bi Ojah to see what happened. “ What’s wrong, Bi? Why are you shouting like that?” the regent asked curiously. Bi Ojah replied, “ I don’t know, Sir. I have heard the voice but there’s no anyone here. I’m so afraid. He said that he is Laksito, but I can’t see him. Then the regent asked, “ Laksito, is it truly you?”. “Yes, Sir. It is me. I also confuse why I could not be seen by you all. I have just taken the serpent’s scales and put them in my pocket”.  After listening to Laksito’s story, the regent asked him to take off the scales from his pocket. Then, Laksito could be seen again by the regent and Bi ojah. The regent believed that the scales have a magic power and could be used to raise his position in the government. Then the regent asked the scales for himself to Laksito but Laksito refused and won’t the scales become the regent’s belonging. It made them scrambling the scales. To save the scales Laskito put it in his mouth, but accidentally ingested. Finally, Laskito disappeared and could not be seen again. The regent was so sorry and realized his mistakes. Then, The regent called Laskito with name Jaka Poleng.

adapted from http://www.semangat27.com/2015/10/cerita-rakyat-jawa-tengah-dari-brebes.html