BAWANG MERAH BAWANG PUTIH ~ Cerita Rakyat Jawa Tengah | Dongeng Kita

Summary

The story revolves around 'Bawang Putih' and 'Bawang Merah,' two stepsisters with contrasting fates. Bawang Putih, the kind and obedient stepdaughter, is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsister, who force her into servitude after her father's death. Despite her hardships, Bawang Putih's patience and kindness are rewarded when she helps a wise old woman and receives a box of precious jewelry. In contrast, Bawang Merah and her mother, driven by greed, seek the same fortune but are deceived into choosing a box containing venomous creatures, leading to their tragic end. Bawang Putih's life flourishes, symbolizing the virtues of patience and kindness.

Takeaways

• 👨‍👧 A wealthy merchant and his daughter, Putih, live in a prosperous village until the merchant's wife passes away.
• 🌌 The merchant remarries and brings home a new wife and her daughter, Merah, who becomes Putih's stepsister.
• 🛍️ Putih is treated poorly by her stepmother and stepsister, being forced to do all the household chores and being mistreated.
• 🏠 The merchant falls ill and eventually passes away, leaving Putih alone and at the mercy of her cruel stepfamily.
• 👗 While doing laundry by the river, Putih loses her stepmother's favorite scarf and embarks on a journey to find it.
• 👵 Putih meets an old woman who has found the scarf and agrees to help the old woman with chores in exchange for its return.
• 🎁 As a reward for her kindness, Putih is given a choice between two boxes, choosing the smaller one out of humility.
• 💎 Inside the small box, Putih finds valuable jewelry, which changes her life for the better.
• 🐍 Merah and the stepmother, envious of Putih's newfound wealth, attempt to deceive the old woman and gain wealth for themselves.
• 🕷️ The stepmother and Merah are punished for their greed and deceit, as the box they choose contains venomous creatures instead of treasure.
• 🏡 Putih's life improves significantly, as she uses the wealth from the jewelry to continue her father's business and lives a happy life.

Q & A

Who are the main characters in the story?

The main characters are a wealthy merchant, his daughter Putih (White Onion), his second wife, and her daughter Merah (Red Onion).

What happens to Putih after her father passes away?

After her father's death, Putih is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsister, being forced to do all the household chores and often going hungry.

What is the significance of the red scarf that Putih loses in the river?

The red scarf is a symbol of Putih's connection to her late mother and is a catalyst for her journey to find help and ultimately, her fortune.

Who does Putih meet on her journey to find the red scarf?

Putih meets an old woman (nenek tua) who has found the scarf and offers to return it to her in exchange for help with chores.

What is the old woman's condition for returning the red scarf to Putih?

The old woman asks Putih to help her with various household tasks for a day before she can have her red scarf back.

What does the old woman give Putih as a reward for her help?

The old woman gives Putih a small box (labu) filled with valuable jewelry as a reward for her kindness and hard work.

How do Merah and her mother attempt to replicate Putih's good fortune?

Merah and her mother intentionally lose a red scarf in the river and follow the same steps Putih took, hoping to find the old woman and receive a reward.

What is the difference in the choices made by Putih and Merah when given the option to choose between a large and small box?

Putih chooses the small box out of humility and practicality, while Merah and her mother choose the large box, expecting greater wealth.

What is the consequence of Merah and her mother opening the large box before reaching home?

They are bitten by venomous creatures inside the box, which leads to their deaths due to the poison.

What is the moral of the story?

The story illustrates the virtues of hard work, humility, and the consequences of greed and impatience. Putih's kindness and perseverance lead to her happiness and wealth, while Merah's greed and impatience result in tragedy.