[ENG SUB] Timun Mas (The Golden Cucumber) - Javanese folktale

Summary

In the enchanting tale of 'Timun Mas,' an old widow named Mbok Sarni longs for companionship and encounters a fearsome giant who demands a child to eat. After planting magical cucumber seeds gifted by the giant, she is blessed with a beautiful baby girl named Timun Mas. As the giant returns to claim his due, Timun Mas, armed with magical items from a holy recluse, cleverly overcomes the giant using her resourcefulness. She creates obstacles like a field of cucumbers, bamboo trees, and a boiling sea, ultimately leading to the giant's demise. Timun Mas and Mbok Sarni find happiness together at last.

Takeaways

• 😀 An old widow named Mbok Sarni longs for companionship and wishes for a child.
• 😱 Mbok Sarni encounters a human-eating giant who demands a child as payment.
• 🌱 The giant gives Mbok Sarni cucumber seeds, promising to return in fifteen years for a child.
• 👶 A beautiful baby girl, Timun Mas (Golden Cucumber), emerges from one of the cucumbers grown from the seeds.
• 🤔 Mbok Sarni is anxious about the giant's promise and seeks a way to protect Timun Mas.
• 🧙‍♂️ A holy recluse provides Timun Mas with four magical bundles for protection against the giant.
• 🏃‍♀️ When the giant comes to collect his due, Timun Mas uses the bundles to escape.
• 🌾 The first bundle creates a field of cucumbers that entangles the giant.
• 🎋 The second bundle produces tall, sharp bamboo trees to hinder the giant's pursuit.
• 🌊 The third bundle transforms the forest into a vast ocean, slowing down the giant.
• 🔥 The final bundle creates a boiling mud sea, leading to the giant's demise.
• 😊 Timun Mas returns home safely, and she and Mbok Sarni live happily ever after.

Q & A

Who is the main character in the story 'Timun Mas'?

The main character is Mbok Sarni, an old widow who longs for a child.

What does Mbok Sarni encounter in the forest?

She encounters a human-eating giant who demands a child in exchange for her freedom.

What promise does Mbok Sarni make to the giant?

She promises to provide him with a child to eat in exchange for her release.

What magical item does the giant give to Mbok Sarni?

The giant gives her cucumber seeds to grow a child.

What happens when Mbok Sarni plants the cucumber seeds?

The seeds grow into a large cucumber that contains a beautiful baby girl, whom she names Timun Mas.

What does Mbok Sarni do to protect Timun Mas from the giant?

She seeks help from a holy recluse who gives Timun Mas four magical bundles to use if chased by the giant.

What are the contents of the four bundles given to Timun Mas?

The bundles contain cucumber seeds, bamboo seeds, salt, and fermented shrimp paste.

How does Timun Mas use the contents of the bundles during the chase?

She throws the contents to create obstacles: a field of cucumbers, bamboo trees, a vast ocean, and finally a boiling mud sea.

What is the ultimate fate of the giant?

The giant falls into the boiling mud sea and dies, ending his threat to Timun Mas and Mbok Sarni.

What is the moral lesson of the story 'Timun Mas'?

The story emphasizes the importance of courage, resourcefulness, and the power of maternal love in overcoming challenges.