TIMUN MAS | STORYTELLING

Summary

In this episode, Shabiri shares the magical Indonesian folktale of Demon Mass, a young girl born from a golden cucumber. Raised by a widow, Demon Mass faces a dire promise to a fearsome giant, Putu. As the giant comes to claim her, Demon Mass uses a series of magical items to escape his pursuit—salt, cucumber seeds, a shrimp, and bamboo needles—ultimately defeating the giant and returning home. The story highlights themes of bravery, resourcefulness, and the importance of keeping promises, leaving viewers with a powerful lesson in courage and love.

Takeaways

• 😀 A mother’s desire for a child leads to a magical agreement with a fearsome giant.
• 😀 The giant grants the widow a child but demands that the child be given back to him when she turns 60.
• 😀 The widow plants a cucumber seed that grows into a golden cucumber containing a baby girl, whom she names Demon Mass.
• 😀 As Demon Mass grows up, the widow becomes anxious about fulfilling the giant’s bargain when the girl turns 16.
• 😀 The giant arrives to take Demon Mass, but the widow gives her daughter a bundle of magical items for protection.
• 😀 Demon Mass uses the magical items to escape the giant: first, a handful of salt creates an ocean to block the giant's path.
• 😀 The second item, cucumber seeds, grows into a field that slows down the giant but doesn't fully stop him.
• 😀 The third item, a shrimp, causes the giant to get trapped in sticky mud, further delaying him.
• 😀 The final item, a handful of needles, transforms into a dense bamboo forest that exhausts the giant, leading to his defeat.
• 😀 The giant, now defeated, retreats and is never seen again, allowing Demon Mass to return home and live happily with her mother.
• 😀 The story teaches important values such as bravery, resourcefulness, and the importance of keeping promises.

Q & A

What is the story of 'Demon Mass' about?

The story of 'Demon Mass' is an Indonesian folktale from Java about a young girl named Demon Mass, who must face a giant after her mother promises the giant that Demon Mass would be given to him when she turns 16. With the help of magical items, she defeats the giant and returns home to live happily with her mother.

Who grants the widow her wish for a child in the story?

The widow's wish is granted by a fearsome giant who hears her prayers. The giant agrees to provide her with a child, but in return, she must give the child back to him when she turns 60.

What does the giant give the widow to fulfill her wish?

The giant gives the widow a large cucumber seed, instructing her to plant it in order to receive her wish of having a child.

What is the significance of the name 'Demon Mass'?

The name 'Demon Mass' means 'golden cucumber,' which reflects her origin, as she was found inside a golden cucumber that grew from the seed given to the widow by the giant.

How does Demon Mass defeat the giant?

Demon Mass uses four magical items given to her by her mother: a handful of salt to create an ocean, cucumber seeds that grow into a field, a shrimp that traps the giant in sticky slime, and a handful of needles that transform into a bamboo forest to exhaust and trap the giant.

What does the salt do when Demon Mass throws it?

When Demon Mass throws the salt, it immediately causes a fast ocean to appear, blocking the giant's path and slowing him down.

What happens when Demon Mass uses the cucumber seeds?

The cucumber seeds quickly grow into a small cucumber field. Although the giant struggles through the plants, it slows him down and gives Demon Mass time to escape.

How does the shrimp help Demon Mass defeat the giant?

The shrimp swims forward and traps the giant in sticky slime, slowing him down and preventing him from catching up with Demon Mass.

What role does the bamboo forest play in the story?

The bamboo forest, created by Demon Mass’s magical needles, traps the giant. He tries to break through the forest but eventually becomes exhausted and defeated.

What is the moral of the story of Demon Mass?

The story teaches the values of bravery, resourcefulness, and the importance of keeping promises. It emphasizes that we must honor our commitments, no matter the form they take.