Asal Usul Ikan Pesut ~ Dongeng Kutai Kalimantan Timur | Dongeng Kita untuk Anak

Summary

The story tells of a father in East Kalimantan who, after remarrying a kind woman, faces a tragic turn when his children are mistreated by their stepmother. Despite their hardship, the children find solace in each other and the nature around them. One day, they are punished for eating food out of hunger, which leads to a supernatural transformation. They turn into two black fish, known as the 'Pesut' or freshwater dolphins, found in the Mahakam River. The tale reflects on the consequences of harsh words and the importance of kindness in parenting.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Pesut fish is a type of freshwater mammal similar in shape to a dolphin, and it primarily feeds on fish and shrimp.
• 😀 Pesut fish is critically endangered in Indonesia, with only about 50 individuals remaining in the wild.
• 😀 Pesut fish is found exclusively in the Mahakam River in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, as well as in the Mekong and Irrawaddy rivers.
• 😀 The Mahakam River has a unique origin story about how the Pesut fish came to be, rooted in a local folklore.
• 😀 In the story, a father lives with his two children after the death of their mother. He remarries a kind woman, but soon things take a dark turn.
• 😀 The stepmother initially treats the children kindly but later mistreats them, forcing them to do difficult chores, like fetching water and gathering firewood.
• 😀 One day, the children are sent deep into the forest to gather firewood, where they become exhausted and hungry. They find bananas to eat but still fear their stepmother's punishment.
• 😀 After spending the night in the forest, the children return home with firewood and find their stepmother absent. Hungry, they eat some rice that was meant to be saved for their stepmother.
• 😀 The father arrives, scolds the children based on the stepmother's false accusations, and they are punished for their actions, even though they were starving.
• 😀 In the climax of the story, the children turn into fish, as the father watches helplessly. These fish are believed to be the Pesut fish of the Mahakam River, teaching a moral lesson about the impact of words and actions on children.

Q & A

What is the origin of the 'pesut' or freshwater dolphin?

The 'pesut' is a type of freshwater mammal resembling a dolphin, native to Indonesia, specifically the Mahakam River in East Kalimantan.

How many 'pesut' are currently estimated to exist?

The population of the 'pesut' is estimated to be only around 50 individuals, making them a critically endangered species.

What other rivers, besides the Mahakam River, are home to the 'pesut'?

Besides the Mahakam River, the 'pesut' can also be found in the Mekong and Irawadi rivers.

Why is the 'pesut' considered a critically endangered species in Indonesia?

The 'pesut' is critically endangered due to habitat loss, human activities, and pollution in the rivers where they live, which has caused a drastic decline in their population.

What is the main lesson to be learned from the story of the two children who became 'pesut'?

The story teaches that parents should be careful with their words and actions towards their children, as harsh treatment can lead to regret. The tale emphasizes that words can be powerful and carry unintended consequences.

What role does the father play in the story before he remarried?

The father is depicted as a hardworking, responsible figure who takes care of his two children after their mother’s death. He works in the forest gathering firewood and does all the housework while ensuring his children are fed and cared for.

What happens to the children when they are treated unfairly by their stepmother?

The children are mistreated by their stepmother, who forces them to do adult chores. Despite their efforts, they are punished for minor mistakes, such as bringing too little water or firewood, leading them to run away into the forest.

How do the children eventually transform into fish in the story?

After being scolded and punished by their father, the children, in a moment of despair, enter a river to cool off. As they experience extreme heat, their bodies transform into black fish, marking their permanent change.

What did the children do when they were hungry and alone in the forest?

When the children were hungry, they found a small stream with ripe bananas. They ate the bananas to relieve their hunger before continuing their journey to collect firewood.

What is the significance of the 'pesut' in the local Kutai community?

In the Kutai community, the 'pesut' is known as a symbol of the children who transformed into fish. They are referred to as 'bawal' by the local people, and the legend serves as a reminder of the importance of kindness and fairness in parenting.