Legend of Timun Mas, (A beautiful girl born from a magical cucumber)

Summary

The Indonesian legend of 'Timun Mas' tells the story of a lonely grandmother, Grandma Sumini, who wishes for a child. Her wish is granted by the giant Buto Ijo, who gives her magical cucumber seeds. When the cucumbers grow, a baby girl named Timun Mas is born. As Timun Mas grows into a teenager, she learns of a dark promise Grandma made to Buto Ijo: when Timun Mas turns 17, she must be handed over to him. With the help of a powerful sage, Timun Mas uses magical objects to confront and defeat the giant, saving her village and her mother from harm.

Takeaways

• 😀 A lonely old woman named Grandma Sumini wishes for a child to alleviate her loneliness.
• 😀 Buto Ijo, a giant, offers to grant her wish on the condition that she hands over the child when the child turns 17.
• 😀 Grandma Sumini agrees to Buto Ijo's terms, planting magical cucumber seeds that will bear a child after three weeks.
• 😀 A tiny baby, Timun Mas, is born from the cucumber and grows under Grandma's care, filling her life with joy.
• 😀 Timun Mas grows quickly and approaches the age of 17, which causes Grandma Sumini to worry about the promise she made.
• 😀 Timun Mas, now a teenager, learns of her impending fate and expresses gratitude for her mother’s love and care.
• 😀 Grandma Sumini seeks the help of a powerful hermit to find a way to protect Timun Mas from Buto Ijo.
• 😀 The hermit provides magical objects, including cucumber seeds, needles, salt, and shrimp paste, to help Timun Mas face Buto Ijo.
• 😀 Timun Mas bravely faces Buto Ijo, using the magical items to thwart his attempts to capture her.
• 😀 With the help of the magical items, Timun Mas ultimately defeats Buto Ijo by trapping him in quicksand, ensuring peace for her village.
• 😀 The story ends with Grandma Sumini praising Timun Mas for her bravery, and the two live peacefully after overcoming the threat of Buto Ijo.

Q & A

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

The main character is Timun Mas, a girl born from a magical cucumber plant given to her mother, Grandma Sumini, by the giant Buto Ijo.

What was Grandma Sumini's wish at the beginning of the story?

Grandma Sumini wished for a child to keep her company, as she felt very lonely after her husband died and she had no children.

How did Buto Ijo help Grandma Sumini fulfill her wish?

Buto Ijo gave Grandma Sumini magical cucumber seeds, promising that a child would grow from the fruit. However, he also made a deal that when the child turned 17, she would be handed over to him.

What did Grandma Sumini promise Buto Ijo?

Grandma Sumini promised to hand over the child, Timun Mas, to Buto Ijo when she turned 17 years old.

How did the cucumber tree grow, and what happened when it bore fruit?

The cucumber tree grew rapidly within three weeks, and when it bore fruit, a tiny baby (Timun Mas) was found inside one of the cucumbers.

Why did Grandma Sumini feel worried as Timun Mas grew older?

Grandma Sumini was worried because Timun Mas was approaching 17 years old, the age when she had promised to give her to Buto Ijo, and feared losing her.

How did Timun Mas feel about her impending fate with Buto Ijo?

Timun Mas was aware of the promise made by her mother, but she was brave and determined to face Buto Ijo to protect her mother and the villagers.

What did Grandma Sumini do to protect Timun Mas from Buto Ijo?

Grandma Sumini sought the help of a powerful hermit, who gave Timun Mas magical objects (cucumber seeds, needles, salt, and shrimp paste) to help her defeat Buto Ijo.

How did Timun Mas use the magical objects in her battle with Buto Ijo?

Timun Mas used the objects as follows: she threw cucumber seeds to entangle Buto Ijo, needles to create bamboo barriers, salt to summon a flood, and shrimp paste to trap him in quicksand.

What happened to Buto Ijo at the end of the story?

Buto Ijo was eventually trapped in quicksand after struggling with the magical objects, and he sank, disappearing into the earth, ending his reign of terror.