Cerita Rakyat Jambi - PUTI KUSUMBA | Dongeng Kita

Summary

In ancient Jambi, a couple longing for a child follows the advice of a mysterious elder in a dream, leading them to find a bamboo shoot entwined by a snake. After making a dangerous pact with the snake, they have a daughter, Putih Kusumba. When she turns seven, the couple tries to hide her from the snake, but she is eventually captured. Years pass as Putih Kusumba lives in captivity, but when her father spots her, he saves her, defeating the snake and its allies. The family reunites, free from the serpent's grasp, and lives happily ever after.

Takeaways

• 😀 A couple in Jambi longs for a child but struggles with infertility despite many efforts.
• 😀 The couple dreams of a mysterious old man who gives them a cryptic solution involving a bamboo shoot (Rebung) entwined by a snake.
• 😀 The old man’s instructions are to cook and eat the bamboo shoot to fulfill their desire for a child.
• 😀 The couple finds the bamboo shoot wrapped by a snake, who makes a deal: if the child is a boy, they can keep him, but if it's a girl, she must be given to the snake.
• 😀 The couple agrees to the snake’s condition, though unsure of the consequences, thinking they can handle it later.
• 😀 The woman becomes pregnant, and the couple anxiously awaits the baby's gender.
• 😀 The baby is born a girl, named Putih Kusumba, and the couple worries about the snake's claim on her.
• 😀 In an attempt to protect her, the parents hide Putih Kusumba from the outside world, forbidding her to leave the house.
• 😀 One day, the mother forgets the warning and takes Putih Kusumba to the river, where the snake appears and takes her away.
• 😀 Putih Kusumba is held captive on a cliff, where the snake feeds her fruit and questions the size of her heart as she grows, planning to feast on her when the time comes.
• 😀 The father, while sailing nearby, hears his daughter's cries, rescues her from the snake, and defeats the snake, returning Putih Kusumba safely to her family.

Q & A

What is the main premise of the story?

The story is a folk tale from Jambi about a couple who, after struggling with infertility, receive guidance from a mysterious old man in their dreams. They follow the advice to find a bamboo shoot wrapped in a snake, and their wish for a child is granted, but with a dangerous promise attached.

What was the significant dream the couple had, and how did it affect their actions?

The couple had a shared dream in which an old man advised them to find a bamboo shoot wrapped by a snake in a field, cook it, and eat it to conceive a child. The dream led them to search for this special bamboo shoot, which eventually resulted in the birth of their daughter.

What was the condition set by the snake when the couple found the bamboo shoot?

The snake demanded a promise from the couple: if their child was a boy, they could keep him, but if it was a girl, the child must be given to the snake when she turned seven years old.

How did the couple react when their child, Puti Kusumba, was born a girl?

The couple was initially shocked and distressed by the birth of a daughter because of the agreement with the snake. They became increasingly anxious as Puti Kusumba grew older, especially as her seventh birthday approached.

Why did the couple decide to hide their daughter, Puti Kusumba, from the snake?

The couple tried to protect their daughter from the snake by keeping her hidden in their home, following the belief that the snake might claim her as promised once she turned seven.

What mistake did the mother make, leading to Puti Kusumba’s capture?

The mother, despite her husband's warning, took Puti Kusumba to the river to bathe. During their time there, the snake appeared and captured Puti Kusumba, taking her away.

How did Puti Kusumba feel when she was taken by the snake, and what did she do?

Puti Kusumba was terrified and helpless when the snake took her. She spent her days crying and hoping for rescue, calling out to passing fishermen, but no one could hear her.

How did Puti Kusumba's father eventually rescue her?

After several days, Puti Kusumba saw her father passing by on a boat. She screamed for help, and her father, recognizing her voice, bravely captured her as she jumped from the cliff into his arms.

What happened to the snake after Puti Kusumba was rescued?

The snake, upon realizing it had been outsmarted, was furious. The snake’s 10 companions attacked the snake, ultimately eating it. Puti Kusumba was then safely returned to her family.

What is the moral of this folk tale from Jambi?

The story teaches about the consequences of promises, the importance of family and protection, and how courage and hope can lead to overcoming even the most dangerous situations.