Folklore - Bawang Merah Bawang Putih - English Version - ( EF - English First Version )

Summary

In a tranquil village, the obedient and kind-hearted Bawangputi suffers under the cruel treatment of her stepmother and stepsister, Bawang Mera, after her father's remarriage. When her father falls ill and eventually passes away, Bawangputi's life takes a turn for the worse. However, her kindness is rewarded when she helps an old grandmother, receiving a pumpkin filled with precious jewelry. Greed leads her stepmother and stepsister to a similar fate, but they are met with a pumpkin full of venomous creatures, resulting in their demise. Bawangputi's virtue and resilience lead her to a prosperous and happy life, continuing her father's legacy.

Takeaways

• 🏡 The story is set in a quiet village where a wealthy merchant lives with his daughter, Bawangputi.
• 👧 Bawangputi is an obedient and kind-hearted daughter who is loved by her father.
• 🛍️ The merchant brings home a woman and her daughter, Bawang, with the intention of marrying the woman, leading to Bawangputi gaining a stepmother and stepsister.
• 👩‍👧‍👦 Bawangputi's life becomes difficult as her stepmother and stepsister treat her like a servant and subject her to harsh punishments.
• 🤒 The merchant falls ill and eventually dies, leaving Bawangputi without her father's protection and love.
• 😢 Bawangputi's stepmother and stepsister show no grief at the merchant's death, instead, they are excited about inheriting his property.
• 🧺 Bawangputi, while washing clothes by the river, loses her stepmother's favorite shawl, which leads her to an encounter with an old grandmother.
• 🏞️ The old grandmother lives on a mountain and offers to return the shawl to Bawangputi in exchange for her help with various chores.
• 🎃 As a reward for her help, the old grandmother gives Bawangputi a small pumpkin filled with valuable jewelry, instructing her not to open it until she gets home.
• 🐍 The stepmother and Bawang Mira, in their greed, follow the same path to try and obtain more wealth but end up choosing a large pumpkin filled with venomous creatures, leading to their demise.
• 💎 Bawangputi's life improves significantly with the wealth from the jewelry, allowing her to continue her father's business and live happily due to her obedience and kindness.

Q & A

Who is the main character of the story and what is her name?

The main character of the story is the wealthy merchant's daughter, named Bawangputi.

What happens when the merchant brings a new woman and her daughter home?

The merchant wants to marry the new woman, which results in Bawangputi having a stepmother and a stepsister named Bawang Mera.

How does Bawangputi's life change after her father goes away for trade?

Bawangputi's life becomes miserable as her stepmother and stepsister treat her like a servant and punish her harshly.

What is the consequence of Bawangputi's father falling ill and eventually dying?

Bawangputi is left alone and heartbroken, while her stepmother and stepsister are excited because they now have control over the property and house.

Why does Bawangputi go to the river to wash clothes?

Bawangputi goes to the river to wash clothes as part of the household chores she is forced to do by her stepmother and stepsister.

What valuable item does Bawangputi accidentally lose while washing clothes at the river?

Bawangputi accidentally loses her stepmother's favorite red scarf while washing clothes at the river.

Who helps Bawangputi find the lost red scarf and what is the condition for returning it?

An old grandmother who lives on the mountain helps Bawangputi find the scarf, but the condition for returning it is that Bawangputi must help her with various chores first.

What gift does the old grandmother give Bawangputi after she helps with the chores?

The old grandmother gives Bawangputi a small pumpkin as a gift, with the instruction not to open it until she gets home.

What is inside the pumpkin that Bawangputi receives from the old grandmother?

The pumpkin is full of sparkling and expensive jewelry.

What happens when the stepmother and Bawang Mera try to replicate Bawangputi's experience with the old grandmother?

The stepmother and Bawang Mera deliberately lose the red scarf and follow the old grandmother to her house, pretending to be in need of help. They choose the largest pumpkin, but when they open it, they find venomous animals inside, leading to their demise.

What is the moral of the story and how does Bawangputi's life end?

The moral of the story is that kindness and obedience are rewarded, while greed and deceit lead to disaster. Bawangputi lives happily ever after, becoming rich from the jewelry and continuing her father's business.