DANAU BIDADARI

Pada jaman dahulu hidup seorang pemuda bernama Jaka Tarub di sebuah
desa di daerah Jawa Tengah. Ia tinggal bersama ibunya yang biasa dipanggil Mbok
Milah. Ayahnya sudah lama meninggal. Sehari hari Jaka Tarub dan Mbok Milah
bertani padi di sawah.Pada suatu malam, ditengah tidurnya yang lelap, Jaka Tarub
bermimpi mendapat istri seorang bidadari nan cantik jelita dari kayangan. Begitu
terbangun dan menyadari bahwa itu semua hanya mimpi, Jaka Tarub tersenyum
sendiri.Walaupun demikian, mimpi indah barusan masih terbayang dalam
ingatannya. Jaka Tarub tidak dapat tidur lagi. Ia keluar dan duduk di ambengan
depan rumahnya sambil menatap bintang bintang di langit. Tak terasa ayam jantan
berkokok tanda hari sudah pagi.Mbok Milah yang baru terjaga menyadari kalau
Jaka Tarub tidak ada di rumah. Begitu ia melihat keluar jendela, dilihatnya anak
semata wayangnya sedang melamun. “Apa yang dilamunkan anakku itu”, pikir
Mbok Milah.Ia menebak mungkin Jaka Tarub sedang memikirkan untuk segera
berumah tangga. Usianya sudah lebih dari cukup. Teman teman sebayanyapun rata
rata telah menikah. Pikirannya itu membuat Mbok Milah berniat untuk membantu
Jaka Tarub menemukan istri.
Siang hari ketika Mbok Milah sedang berada di sawah, tiba tiba datang Pak
Ranu pemilik sawah sebelah menghampirinya. “Mbok Milah, mengapa anakmu
sampai saat ini belum menikah juga ?”, tanya Pak Ranu membuka percakapan.
“Entahlah”, kata Mbok Milah sambil mengingat kejadian tadi pagi. “Ada apa kau
menanyakan itu Pak Ranu ?”, tanya Mbok Milah. Ia sedikit heran kenapa Pak Ranu
tertarik dengan kehidupan pribadi anaknya. “Tidak apa apa Mbok Milah. Aku
bermaksud menjodohkan anakmu dengan anakku Laraswati”, jawab Pak Ranu.
Mbok Milah terkejut mendengar niat Pak Ranu yang baru saja diutarakan. Ia
sangat senang. Laraswati adalah seorang gadis perparas cantik yang tutur katanya
lemah lembut. Ia yakin kalau Jaka Tarub mau menjadikan Laraswati sebagai
istrinya. Walaupun demikian Mbok Milah tidak ingin mendahului anaknya untuk
mengambil keputusan. Biar bagaimanapun ia menyadari kalau Jaka Tarub sudah
dewasa dan mempunyai keinginan sendiri. “Aku setuju Pak Ranu. Tapi sebaiknya
kita bertanya dulu pada anak kita masing masing”, kata Mbok Milah bijak. Pak
Ranu mengangguk angguk. Ia pikir apa yang dikatakan Mbok Milah benar adanya.
Hari berganti hari. Mbok Milah belum juga menemukan waktu yang tepat
untuk membicarakan rencana perjodohan Jaka Tarub dan Laraswati. Ia takut Jaka
Tarub tersinggung. Mungkin juga Jaka Tarub telah memiliki calon istri yang belum
dikenalkan padanya. Lama kelamaan Mbok Milah lupa akan niatnya semula. Jaka
Tarub adalah seorang pemuda yang sangat senang berburu. Ia juga seorang
pemburu yang handal. Keahliannya itu diperolehnya dari mendiang ayahnya. Jaka
Tarub seringkali diajak berburu oleh ayahnya sedari kecil. Pagi itu Jaka Tarub
telah siap berburu ke hutan. Busur, panah, pisau dan pedang telah disiapkannya.
Iapun pamit pada ibunya. Mbok Milah terlihat biasa biasa saja melepaskan
kepergian Jaka Tarub. Ia berharap anaknya itu akan membawa pulang seekor
menjangan besar yang bisa mereka makan beberapa hari ke depan. Tak lama
kemudian Mbok Milah masuk ke kamarnya. Ia bermaksud beristrihat sejenak
sebelum berangkat ke sawah. Maklumlah, Mbok Milah sudah tua. Tak memakan
waktu lama di tengah hutan, Jaka tarub berhasil memanah seekor menjangan.
Hatinya senang. Segera saja ia memanggul menjangan itu dan bermaksud segera
pulang. Nasib sial rupanya datang menghampiri. Tengah asyik berjalan, tiba tiba
muncul seekor macan tutul di hadapan Jaka Tarub. Macan itu mengambil ancang
ancang untuk menyerang. Jaka tarub panik. Ia segera melepaskan menjangan yang
dipanggulnya dan mencabut pedang dari pinggangnya. Sang macan bergerak
sangat cepat. Ia segera menggigit menjangan itu dan membawanya pergi. Jaka
Tarub terduduk lemas. Bukan hanya kaget atas peristiwa yang baru dialaminya,
iapun merasa heran. Baru kali ini nasibnya sesial ini. Hewan buruan sudah
ditangan malah dimangsa binatang buas. “Pertanda apa ini ?”, pikirnya. Jaka Tarub
segera menepis pikiran buruk yang melintas di benaknya. Setelah beristirahat
sejenak, ia segera berjalan lagi.
Nasib sial belum mau meninggalkan Jaka tarub. Setelah berjalan dan
menunggu beberapa kali, tak seekor hewan buruanpun yang melintas. Matahari
makin meninggi. Jaka Tarub merasa lapar. Tak ada bekal yang dibawanya karena
ia memang yakin tak akan selama ini berada di hutan. Akhirnya Jaka Tarub
memutuskan untuk pulang walau dengan tangan hampa. Ketika Jaka Tarub mulai
memasuki desanya, ia heran melihat banyak orang yang berjalan tergesa gesa
menuju ke arah yang sama. Bahkan ada beberapa orang yang berpapasan
dengannya terlihat terkejut.Walaupun merasa heran Jaka Tarub enggan untuk
bertanya. Rasa lapar yang menderanya membuat Jaka Tarub ingin cepat cepat
sampai di rumah. Jaka Tarub tertegun memandang rumahnya yang sudah nampak
dari kejauhan. Banyak orang berkerumun di depan rumahnya. Bahkan orang orang
yang tadi dilihatnya berjalan tergesa gesa ternyata menuju ke rumahnya juga. “Ada
apa ya ?”, pikirnya. Jaka Tarub mulai tidak enak hati. Ia segera berlari menuju
rumahnya. “Ada apa ini ?”, tanya Jaka Tarub setengah berteriak. Orang orang
terkejut dan menoleh kearahnya. Pak Ranu yang memang menunggu kedatangan
Jaka Tarub sedari tadi langsung menghampiri dan menepuk nepuk bahu Jaka
Tarub. “Sabar nak..”, katanya sambil membimbing Jaka Tarub memasuki rumah.
Mata Jaka Tarub langsung tertuju pada sesosok tubuh yang terbujur kaku diatas
dipan di ruang tengah. Beberapa detik kemudian Jaka Tarub menyadari kalau
ibunya telah meninggal. Jaka Tarub tak sanggup menahan air mata. Inilah bukti
atas firasat buruk yang kurasakan sejak pagi, pikirnya.
Jaka Tarub tak sanggup berbuat apa apa. Ia hanya termenung memandang
wajah Mbok Milah. Cerita Pak Ranu bahwa istrinya yang menemukan Mbok
Milah telah meninggal dunia dalam tidurnya tadi pagi tak dihiraukannya. Ia
merenungi nasibnya yang kini sebatang kara. Jaka Tarub juga menyesal belum
memenuhi keinginan ibunya melihat ia berumah tangga dan menimang cucu. Tapi
semua tinggal kenangan. Kini ibunya telah beristirahat dengan tenang. Sepeninggal
ibunya, Jaka Tarub mengisi hari harinya dengan berburu. Hampir setiap hari ia
berburu ke hutan. Hasil buruannya selalu ia bagi bagikan ke tetangga. Hanya
dengan berburu, Jaka Tarub bisa melupakan kesedihannya. Seperti pagi itu, Jaka
Tarub telah bersiap siap untuk berangkat berburu. Dengan santai ia berjalan
menuju Hutan Wanawasa karena hari masih pagi. Ketika sampai di hutanpun Jaka
tarub hanya menunggu hewan buruan lewat di depannya. Tak terasa hari sudah
siang. Tak satupun hewan buruan yang didapat Jaka Tarub. Ia justru lebih banyak
melamun. Karena rasa haus yang baru dirasakannya, Jaka Tarub melangkahkan
kakinya kea rah danau. Danau yang terletak di tengah Hutan Wanawasa itu dikenal
masyarakat sebagai Danau Toyawening. Ketika hampir sampai di danau itu, Jaka
Tarub menghentikan langkah kakinya. Telinganya menangkap suara gadis gadis
yang sedang bersenda gurau. “Mungkin ini hanya hayalanku saja”, pikirnya
heran.”Mana mungkin ada gadis gadis bermain main di tengah hutan belantara
begini ?”. Dengan mengendap endap Jaka Tarub melangkahkan kakinya lagi
menuju Danau Toyawening. Suara tawa gadis gadis itu makin jelas terdengar. Jaka
Tarub mengintip dari balik pohon besar kearah danau. Alangkah terkejutnya Jaka
Tarub menyaksikan tujuh orang gadis cantik sedang mandi di Danau Toyawening.
Jantungnya berdegub makin kencang. Jaka Tarub memperhatikan satu satu gadis di
danau itu. Semuanya berparas sangat cantik. Dari percakapan mereka, Jaka Tarub
tahu kalau tujuh orang gadis itu adalah bidadari yang turun dari kayangan.
“Apakah ini arti mimpiku waktu itu ?”, pikirnya senang. Mata Jaka Tarub melihat
tumpukan pakaian bidadari di atas sebuah batu besar di pinggir danau. Semua
pakaian itu memiliki warna yang berbeda. “Jika aku mengambil salah satu pakaian
bidadari ini, tentu yang punya tidak akan dapat kembali ke kayangan”, gumam
Jaka Tarub. Wajahnya dihiasi senyum manakala membayangkan sang bidadari
yang bajunya ia curi akan bersedia menjadi istrinya. Dengan hati hati Jaka Tarub
berjalan menghampiri tumpukan baju itu. Ia berjalan sangat perlahan. Jika para
bidadari itu menyadari kehadirannya, tentu semua rencananya akan buyar. Jaka
Tarub memilih baju berwarna merah. Setelah berhasil, Jaka Tarub buru buru
menyelinap ke balik semak semak. Tiba tiba seorang dari bidadari itu berkata “,
Ayo kita pulang sekarang. Hari sudah sore”. “Ya benar. Sebaiknya kita pulang
sekarang sebelum matahari terbenam”, tambah yang lain. Para bidadari itu keluar
dari danau dan mengenakan pakaian mereka masing masing. “Dimana bajuku ?”,
teriak salah seorang bidadari. “Siapa yang mengambil bajuku ?”, tanyanya dengan
suara bergetar menahan tangis. “Dimana kau taruh bajumu Nawangwulan ?”, tanya
seorang bidadari kepadanya. “Disini. Sama dengan baju kalian..”, Nawangwulan
menjawab sambil menangis. Ia terlihat sangat panik. Tanpa bajunya, mana
mungkin ia bisa pulang ke Kayangan. Apalagi selendang yang dipakainya untuk
terbang ikut raib juga.
Karena Nawangwulan tidak menemukan bajunya, ia segera masuk kembali
ke Danau Toyawening. Teman temannya yang lain membantu mencari baju
Nawangwulan. Usaha mereka sia sia karena baju Nawangwulan sudah dibawa
pulang Jaka Tarub ke rumahnya. Akhirnya seorang bidadari berkata
“Nawangwulan, maafkan kami. Kami harus segera pulang ke kayangan dan
meninggalkanmu disini. Hari sudah menjelang sore”. Nawangwulan tidak dapat
berbuat apa apa. Ia hanya bisa mengangguk dan melambaikan tangan kepada
keenam temannya yang terbang perlahan meninggalkan Danau Toyawening.
“Mungkin memang nasibku untuk menjadi penghuni bumi”, pikir Nawangwulan
sambil mencucurkan air mata. Nawangwulan kelihatan putus asa. Tiba tiba tanpa
sadar ia berucap “Barangsiapa yang bisa memberiku pakaian akan kujadikan
saudara bila ia perempuan, tapi bila ia laki laki akan kujadikan suamiku”. Jaka
Tarub yang sedari tadi memperhatikan gerak gerik Nawangwulan dari balik pohon
tersenyum senang. “Akhirnya mimpiku menjadi kenyataan”, pikirnya. Jaka Tarub
keluar dari persembunyiannya dan berjalan kearah danau. Ia membawa baju
mendiang ibunya yang diambilnya ketika pulang tadi. Jaka Tarub segera
meletakkan baju yang dibawanya diatas sebuah batu besar seraya berkata “Aku
Jaka Tarub. Aku membawakan pakaian yang kau butuhkan. Ambillah dan pakailah
segera. Hari sudah hampir malam”.
 Jaka Tarub meninggalkan Nawangwulan dan menunggu di balik pohon
besar tempatnya bersembunyi. Tak lama kemudian Nawangwulan datang
menemuinya. “Aku Nawangwulan. Aku bidadari dari kayangan yang tidak bisa
kembali kesana karena bajuku hilang”, kata Nawangwulan memperkenalkan diri.
Ia memenuhi kata kata yang diucapkannya tadi. Tanpa ragu Nawangwulan
bersedia menerima Jaka Tarub sebagai suaminya. Hari berganti hari, bulan
berganti bulan, tak terasa rumah tangga Jaka Tarub dan Nawangwulan telah
dikaruniai seorang putri yang diberi nama Nawangsih. Tak seorangpun penduduk
desa yang mencurigai siapa sebenarnya Nawangwulan. Jaka Tarub mengakui
istrinya itu sebagai gadis yang berasal dari sebuah desa yang jauh dari
kampungnya. Sejak menikah dengan Nawangwulan, Jaka Tarub merasa sangat
bahagia. Namun ada satu hal yang mengganggu pikirannya selama ini. Jaka Tarub
merasa heran mengapa padi di lumbung mereka kelihatannya tidak berkurang
walau dimasak setiap hari. Lama lama tumpukan padi itu semakin meninggi. Panen
yang diperoleh secara teratur membuat lumbung mereka hampir tak muat lagi
menampungnya. Pada suatu pagi, Nawangwulan hendak mencuci ke sungai. Ia
menitipkan Nawangsih pada Jaka Tarub. Nawangwulan juga mengingatkan
suaminya itu untuk tidak membuka tutup kukusan nasi yang sedang dimasaknya.
Ketika sedang asyik bermain dengan Nawangsih yang saat itu berumur satu tahun,
Jaka Tarub teringat akan nasi yang sedang dimasak istrinya. Karena terasa sudah
lama, Jaka Tarub hendak melihat apakah nasi itu sudah matang. Tanpa sadar Jaka
Tarub membuka kukusan nasi itu. Ia lupa akan pesan Nawangwulan. Betapa
terkejutnya Jaka Tarub demi melihat isi kukusan itu. Nawangwulan hanya
memasak setangkai padi. Ia langsung teringat akan persediaan padi mereka yang
semakin lama semakin banyak. Terjawab sudah pertanyaannya selama ini.
Nawangwulan yang rupanya telah sampai di rumah menatap marah kepada
suaminya di pintu dapur. “Kenapa kau melanggar pesanku Mas ?”, tanyanya
berang. Jaka Tarub tidak bisa menjawab. Ia hanya terdiam. “Hilanglah sudah
kesaktianku untuk merubah setangkai padi menjadi sebakul nasi”, lanjut
Nawangwulan. “Mulai sekarang aku harus menumbuk padi untuk kita masak.
Karena itu Mas harus menyediakan lesung untukku”.

Jaka Tarub menyesali perbuatannya. Tapi apa mau dikata, semua sudah
terlambat. Mulai hari itu Nawangwulan selalu menumbuk padi untuk dimasak.
Mulailah terlihat persediaan padi mereka semakin lama semakin menipis. Bahkan
sekarang padi itu sudah tinggal tersisa di dasar lumbung.Seperti biasa pagi itu
Nawangwulan ke lumbung yang terletak di halaman belakang untuk mengambil
padi. Ketika sedang menarik batang batang padi yang tersisa sedikit itu,
Nawangwulan merasa tangannya memegang sesuatu yang lembut. Karena
penasaran, Nawangwulan terus menarik benda itu. Wajah Nawangwulan seketika
pucat pasi menatap benda yang baru saja berhasil diraihnya. Baju bidadari dan
selendangnya yang berwarna merah.. !! Bermacam perasaan berkecamuk di
hatinya. Nawangwulan merasa dirinya ditipu oleh Jaka Tarub yang sekarang telah
menjadi suaminya. Ia sama sekali tidak menyangka ternyata orang yang tega
mencuri bajunya adalah Jaka Tarub. Segera saja keinginan yang tidak pernah
hilang dari hatinya menjadi begitu kuat. Nawangwulan ingin pulang ke asalnya,
kayangan. Sore hari ketika Jaka Tarub kembali ke rumahnya, ia tidak mendapati
Nawangwulan dan anak mereka Nawangsih. Jaka Tarub mencari sambil berteriak
memanggil Nawangwulan, yang dicari tak jua menjawab. Saat itu matahari sudah
mulai tenggelam. Tiba tiba Jaka Tarub yang sedang berdiri di halaman rumah
melihat sesuatu melayang menuju ke arahnya. Dia mengamatinya sesaat. Jaka
Tarub terpana. Beberapa saat kemudian ia mengenali ternyata yang dilihatnya
adalah Nawangwulan yang menggendong Nawangsih. Nawangwulan terlihat
sangat cantik dengan baju bidadari lengkap dengan selendangnya. Jaka Tarub
merasa dirinya gemetar. Ia sama sekali tidak menyangka kalau Nawangwulan
berhasil menemukan kembali baju bidadarinya. Hal ini berarti rahasianya telah
terbongkar. “Kenapa kau tega melakukan ini padaku Jaka Tarub ?”, tanya
Nawangwulan dengan nada sedih. “Maafkan aku Nawangwulan”, hanya itu kata
kata yang sanggup diucapkan Jaka Tarub. Ia terlihat sangat menyesal.
Nawangwulan dapat merasakan betapa Jaka Tarub tidak berdaya di hadapannya.
“Sekarang kau harus menanggung akibat perbuatanmu Jaka Tarub”, kata
Nawangwulan. “Aku akan kembali ke kayangan karena sesungguhnya aku ini
seorang bidadari. Tempatku bukan disini”, lanjutnya. Jaka Tarub tidak menjawab.
Ia pasrah akan keputusan Nawangwulan. “Kau harus mengasuh Nawangsih sendiri.
Mulai saat ini kita bukan suami istri lagi”, kata Nawangwulan tegas. Ia
menyerahkan Nawangsih ke pelukan Jaka Tarub. Anak kecil itu masih tertidur
lelap. Ia tidak sadar bahwa sebentar lagi ibunya akan meninggalkan
dirinya.“Betapapun salahmu padaku Jaka Tarub, Nawangsih tetaplah anakku. Jika
ia ingin bertemu denganku suatu saat nanti, bakarlah batang padi, maka aku akan
turun menemuinya”, tutur Nawangwulan sambil menatap wajah Nawangsih.
“Hanya satu syaratnya, kau tidak boleh bersama Nawangsih ketika aku
menemuinya. Biarkan ia seorang diri di dekat batang padi yang dibakar”, lanjut
Nawangwulan. Jaka Tarub menahan kesedihannya dengan sangat. Ia ingin terlihat
tegar. Setelah Jaka Tarub menyatakan kesanggupannya untuk tidak bertemu lagi
dengan Nawangwulan, sang bidadaripun terbang meninggalkan dirinya dan
Nawangsih. Jaka Tarub hanya sanggup menatap kepergian Nawangwulan sambil
mendekap Nawangsih. Sungguh kesalahannya tidak termaafkan. Tiada hal lain
yang dapat dilakukannya saat ini selain merawat Nawangsih dengan baik seperti
pesan Nawangwulan.

ANGGLE LAKE

In ancient times there lived a young man named Jaka Tarub in a village in
Central Java. He lives with his mother who is usually called Mbok Milah. His
father died long ago. Jaka Tarub and Mbok Milah farm rice in the fields one day.
One night, in the middle of a deep sleep, Jaka Tarub dreamed of getting the wife of
a beautiful angel from heaven. As soon as he woke up and realized that it was all a
dream, Jaka Tarub smiled to himself. Even so, the beautiful dream just now still
looms in his memory. Jaka Tarub can't sleep anymore. He came out and sat on the
armchair in front of his house, staring at the stars in the sky. I didn't feel the rooster
crowing, indicating it was morning. Milah, who just woke up, realized that Jaka
Tarub was not at home. As soon as he looked out the window, he saw that his only
child was daydreaming. "What is my son dreaming about," thought Mbok Milah.
He guessed that maybe Jaka Tarub was thinking about getting married. His age is
more than enough. Their peers are mostly married. His thoughts made Mbok Milah
intend to help Jaka Tarub find a wife.
During the day when Mbok Milah was in the rice field, suddenly Mr. Ranu,
the owner of the rice field next door, came over to him. "Mbok Milah, why is your
son not married yet?" Asked Mr. Ranu to open the conversation. "I don't know",
said Mbok Milah, remembering what happened this morning. "What are you
asking that Mr. Ranu?" Asked Mbok Milah. He was a little surprised why Mr.
Ranu was interested in his son's personal life. “It's okay, Mbok Milah. I intend to
match your child with my son Laraswati ", replied Mr. Ranu. Mbok Milah was
surprised to hear Mr. Ranu's intention that had just been expressed. He was very
happy. Laraswati is a beautiful girl with a gentle speech. He was sure that Jaka
Tarub wanted to make Laraswati his wife. Even so, Mbok Milah did not want to
overtake her son to make decisions. After all, he realized that Jaka Tarub was an
adult and had his own desires. "I agree Mr. Ranu. But we should first ask each of
our children, "said Mbok Milah wisely. Mr. Ranu nodded and nodded. He thought
that what Mbok Milah said was true.
Day after day. Mbok Milah has yet to find the right time to discuss the
matchmaking plan for Jaka Tarub and Laraswati. He was afraid that Jaka Tarub
would be offended. It is also possible that Jaka Tarub has a future wife who has not
been introduced to him. Over time Mbok Milah forgot her original intention. Jaka
Tarub is a young man who loves hunting. He is also a good hunter. His expertise
was obtained from his late father. Jaka Tarub was often invited to hunt by his
father since he was a child. That morning Jaka Tarub was ready to hunt into the
forest. Bows, arrows, knives and swords had been prepared. He also said goodbye
to his mother. Mbok Milah looks normal, letting go of Jaka Tarub. He hopes that
his son will bring home a large deer that they can eat in the next few days. Soon
Mbok Milah entered her room. He intended to rest for a moment before leaving for
the rice fields. It's known, Mbok Milah is old. It didn't take long in the middle of
the forest, Jaka Tarub managed to shoot a deer. His heart is happy. Immediately he
shouldered the deer and intend to go home. Bad luck apparently came over. While
busy walking, suddenly a leopard appeared in front of Jaka Tarub. The tiger takes a
square to attack. Jaka Tarub panicked. He immediately let go of the deer he was
carrying and pulled out the sword from his waist. The tiger moves very fast. He
immediately took a bite of the deer and took him away. Jaka Tarub sat limply. Not
only was he shocked by the events he had just experienced, he was also surprised.
This was the first time his fate was this unlucky. The prey has been in the hand, but
is even eaten by wild animals. "What is this sign?", He thought. Jaka Tarub
immediately brushed off the bad thoughts that crossed his mind. After resting for a
moment, he immediately walked again.
Bad luck doesn't want to leave Jaka Tarub yet. After walking and waiting
several times, not a single game passed. The sun was getting higher. Jaka Tarub
was hungry. He did not have any provisions because he was sure he would not be
in the forest all this time. Finally Jaka Tarub decided to go home even though he
was empty. When Jaka Tarub started to enter his village, he was surprised to see
many people walking hurriedly in the same direction. In fact, there were some
people who passed him looking surprised. Even though he was surprised Jaka
Tarub was reluctant to ask. The hunger he suffered made Jaka Tarub want to get
home quickly. Jaka Tarub was stunned looking at his house which was visible
from a distance. Many people gathered in front of his house. Even the people he
had seen walking hastily were heading to his house too. "What's wrong?", He
thought. Jaka Tarub began to feel uncomfortable. He immediately ran to his house.
"What's this?" Asked Jaka Tarub half screaming. The people were shocked and
turned to look at him. Mr. Ranu, who had been waiting for Jaka Tarub to arrive,
immediately approached and patted Jaka Tarub on the shoulder. "Be patient,
kid ..", he said, guiding Jaka Tarub into the house. Jaka Tarub's eyes were
immediately fixed on a body lying rigidly on the couch in the living room. A few
seconds later Jaka Tarub realized that his mother had died. Jaka Tarub could not
hold back the tears. This is proof of the bad feeling I've been feeling since
morning, he thought.
Jaka Tarub was unable to do anything. He just stared at Mbok Milah's face.
Mr. Ranu's story that his wife who found Mbok Milah had died in his sleep this
morning he ignored him. He contemplated his fate, which is now alone. Jaka Tarub
also regrets that he has not fulfilled his mother's wishes to see him married and
cuddling with his grandchildren. But all are memories. Now his mother has rested
in peace. After the death of his mother, Jaka Tarub spent his days hunting. Almost
every day he hunts in the forest. He always shares the results of his prey to
neighbors. Only by hunting, Jaka Tarub can forget his sadness. Like that morning,
Jaka Tarub was ready to go hunting. He casually walked towards Wanawasa Forest
because it was still early. When he arrived in the forest, Jaka Tarub was just
waiting for the prey to pass in front of him. Do not feel it was daytime. Jaka Tarub
got none of the game animals. Instead, he daydreamed more. Because of the thirst
he just felt, Jaka Tarub stepped towards the lake. The lake, which is located in the
middle of the Wanawasa Forest, is known to the public as Lake Toyawening.
When he almost reached the lake, Jaka Tarub stopped his footsteps. His ears
caught the voices of girls joking around. "Maybe this is just my life", he thought in
surprise. "How could there be girls playing in the middle of the jungle like this?".
Jaka Tarub sedimented his feet again towards Lake Toyawening. The laughter of
the girls became clearer. Jaka Tarub peeked from behind a large tree towards the
lake. How shocked Jaka Tarub saw seven beautiful girls bathing in Lake
Toyawening. His heart was beating even faster. Jaka Tarub noticed one girl in the
lake. All of them are very beautiful. From their conversation, Jaka Tarub knew that
the seven girls were angels who had come down from heaven. "Is this the meaning
of my dream at that time?", He thought happily. Jaka Tarub's eyes saw a pile of
angel clothes on a large rock by the side of the lake. All the clothes were different
colors. "If I take one of these angel clothes, of course the one who has it will not be
able to return to heaven," murmured Jaka Tarub. His face was adorned with a smile
when he imagined that the angel whose clothes he had stolen would be willing to
be his wife. Jaka Tarub carefully walked over to the pile of clothes. He walked
very slowly. If the angels noticed his presence, of course all his plans would be
ruined. Jaka Tarub chose a red shirt. After succeeding, Jaka Tarub hurriedly
slipped behind the bush. Suddenly one of the angels said, “, Let's go home now. It
was late afternoon ”. "Yes, right. We'd better go home now before the sun goes
down, "added another. The angels came out of the lake and put on their own
clothes. "Where is my dress?", Shouted one of the angels. "Who took my
clothes?", He asked in a trembling voice holding back tears. "Where did you put
your clothes Nawangwulan?" Asked an angel to him. "Over here. Same with your
clothes .. ”, Nawangwulan answered with tears. He looked very panicked. Without
his clothes, how could he return to Heaven. Moreover, the scarf he wore to fly also
disappeared.
Because Nawangwulan could not find his clothes, he immediately returned
to Lake Toyawening. Her other friends helped find Nawangwulan's clothes. Their
efforts were in vain because Nawangwulan's clothes had been brought back by
Jaka Tarub to his house. Finally an angel said, "Nawangwulan, forgive us. We
must immediately return to heaven and leave you here. It was already late in the
afternoon ”. Nawangwulan couldn't do anything. He could only nod and wave to
his six friends who were flying slowly leaving Lake Toyawening. "Maybe it's my
fate to become an inhabitant of the earth," thought Nawangwulan, shedding tears.
Nawangwulan looked desperate. Suddenly he unconsciously said "Whoever can
dress me will make me a brother if he is a woman, but if he is a man I will make
him my husband". Jaka Tarub, who had been watching Nawangwulan's movements
from behind the tree, smiled happily. "Finally my dream has come true," he
thought. Jaka Tarub came out of hiding and walked towards the lake. He brought
his late mother's clothes that he took when he got home earlier. Jaka Tarub
immediately put the clothes he was carrying on a large rock and said “I am Jaka
Tarub. I brought the clothes you need. Take it and put it on immediately. It was
almost evening ”.

Jaka Tarub left Nawangwulan and waited behind a large tree where he was
hiding. Not long after, Nawangwulan came to see him. "I'm Nawangwulan. I am an
angel from heaven who can't go back there because my clothes are missing, ”said
Nawangwulan, introducing himself. He fulfilled the words he had spoken earlier.
Without a doubt, Nawangwulan was willing to accept Jaka Tarub as her husband.
Day after day, month after month, Jaka Tarub and Nawangwulan's household had
been blessed with a daughter named Nawangsih. None of the villagers suspected
who Nawangwulan really was. Jaka Tarub acknowledged his wife as a girl who
came from a village far from his village. Since marrying Nawangwulan, Jaka
Tarub has been very happy. But there is one thing that has been bothering him all
this time. Jaka Tarub wondered why the rice in their barn didn't seem to decrease
even though it was cooked every day. It took a long time for the pile of rice to get
higher. The regular harvest made their barn barely fit to hold it. One morning,
Nawangwulan was about to wash into the river. He entrusted Nawangsih to Jaka
Tarub. Nawangwulan also reminded her husband not to open the lid of the steamer
he was cooking. While playing with Nawangsih, who was one year old at the time,
Jaka Tarub remembered the rice his wife was cooking. Because it felt like it had
been a long time ago, Jaka Tarub wanted to see if the rice was cooked. Without
realizing it, Jaka Tarub opened the steamed rice. He forgot the message
Nawangwulan. How surprised Jaka Tarub was to see the contents of the steamer.
Nawangwulan only cooks a sprig of rice. He immediately remembered their
growing supply of rice. The question has been answered so far. Nawangwulan,
who apparently had arrived home, stared angrily at her husband at the kitchen
door. "Why did you break my message Mas?", He asked angrily. Jaka Tarub could
not answer. He was just silent. "Gone is my devotion to turn a sprig of rice into a
basket of rice," continued Nawangwulan. "From now on I have to pound rice for us
to cook. That's why you have to provide a mortar for me ”.
Jaka Tarub regretted his actions. But what can I say, it's too late. Starting
that day Nawangwulan always pounded rice for cooking. Starting to see their rice
supply was running low over time. Even now the rice is left at the bottom of the
barn. As usual that morning Nawangwulan went to the barn which was located in
the backyard to collect rice. When he was pulling the little remaining rice stalks,
Nawangwulan felt his hand holding something soft. Out of curiosity,
Nawangwulan kept pulling the object. Nawangwulan's face suddenly turned white
as she stared at the thing she had just grabbed. Angel's clothes and red scarf .. !!
Various feelings raged in his heart. Nawangwulan felt that he was cheated by Jaka
Tarub, who has now become her husband. He did not think that the person who
had the heart to steal his clothes was Jaka Tarub. Immediately the desire that never
left his heart became very strong. Nawangwulan wants to go home, heaven. In the
afternoon when Jaka Tarub returned to his house, he did not find Nawangwulan
and their child Nawangsih. Jaka Tarub looked for him while shouting for
Nawangwulan, who he was looking for did not answer. At that time the sun had
started to set. Suddenly Jaka Tarub, who was standing in the yard of the house, saw
something floating toward him. He studied it for a moment. Jaka Tarub was
stunned. A few moments later he recognized that what he saw was Nawangwulan
carrying Nawangsih. Nawangwulan looks very beautiful with an angel dress
complete with a scarf. Jaka Tarub felt himself trembling. He did not expect that
Nawangwulan would find her bidadar clothes again. This means that the secret has
been exposed. "Why do you have the heart to do this to me Jaka Tarub?" Asked
Nawangwulan sadly. "I'm sorry Nawangwulan", were the only words Jaka Tarub
could say. He looked really sorry. Nawangwulan could feel how helpless Jaka
Tarub was in front of him. "Now you have to bear the consequences of your
actions Jaka Tarub," said Nawangwulan. "I will return to heaven because I am
actually an angel. My place is not here ", he continued. Jaka Tarub did not answer.
He gave up on Nawangwulan's decision. “You have to raise Nawangsih yourself.
From now on we are no longer husband and wife, ”said Nawangwulan firmly. He
handed Nawangsih into Jaka Tarub's arms. The little boy was still fast asleep. He
did not realize that soon his mother would leave him. "No matter how wrong you
are to me, Jaka Tarub, Nawangsih is still my son. If he wants to meet me someday,
burn the rice stalks, then I will come down to meet him, ”said Nawangwulan,
looking at Nawangsih's face. "Only one condition, you can't be with Nawangsih
when I see him. Let him be alone near the burned rice stalks, ”continued
Nawangwulan. Jaka Tarub endured his sadness very much. He wants to look
tough. After Jaka Tarub expressed his ability not to see Nawangwulan again, the
angel flew away from him and Nawangsih. Jaka Tarub could only stare at
Nawangwulan's departure while embracing Nawangsih. Truly his mistake is
unforgivable. There is nothing else he can do at this time apart from taking good
care of Nawangsih, as Nawangwulan ordered.