A Tale of a Magician

For years lancingan had been dreaming of become magician. When he was a little boy, when he was still in kindergarden to be more precise, the principal of his school invited a magician to entertain the pupils. He demonstrated his ability in front of them as he caused pencils, chalks, writing books, balls, to disappear just by touching them. One of his teacher, Bu Zwilly to be exact, was invited to come forward to the play area and was asked to sit on a chair. The magician, then, touched her wristwatch so tenderly. To the audiences surprise, it disappeared that very instant. Does anybody have Ibu Zwillys watch in their pocket? the magician shouted to the audience. None of them reacted but just stared each other. everybody is requested to check his or her own pocket to see Bu Zwillys watch is there, he contiued. Teachers as well as pupils did what they were asked. you stole your teachers watch, didnt you? the magician pointed at one of the pupils laughingly. The pupil got confused. No i did not sir! He trembled with fear. Everybody laughed uproariously. Are you sure? Yes i am.. Ah, i think i made a mistake. I am sorry. He stopped asking. He walked around the play area and put his finger to his forehead. wait, he said again. Aha, I got it. I got it. The watch must be in Bu Zwillys own handbag, the magician said. Hearing that, the teacherstood up from the seat and stepped into the crowd to get her bag which she had just left. She took it and opened it qucikly taking out her wristwatch from the bagand showed it to the audience. I dont believe it, Lancingan mumbled as he looked at the watch. How is that possible, his said under his breath. The magician must be a wonderful man. where did he learn that? Lancingan continued. Day by day the little boy became more occupied with such a wonderful show. When he was a student in junior high school, his schoolmate lent him a comic strip

entitled Mandrake The Magician. He enjoyed it so much that he neglected his homework. His parents were furious with him when he was found reading the comic strip instead of studying his lessons. What book is that? his father asked infuriatingly. Unless you throw it away, Ill teach you a lesson. The boy did not say even a single word. Do you think that learning math is as easy as winking? He continued as he went out slamming the door. Early in the morning, before Lancingan went to school, his father warned him that he had to return the book to his friend otherwise he would be told on to hos teacher. But when he arrived at school, he did the opposite of what was expected of him. Where did you buy this, Lancingan asked in a whisper when he saw palonyot, the owner of the book. Well, i dont know. Its not mine but my fathers. I found it in the storage room. It was so dusty... May I have it. How much will you charge? What? Are you kidding? No. Im serious. How much? He said that the book would just cost five rupiahs. What is that for? Palonyot quized. I like it very much, was Lancingans answer. After he gave up teh money, they shook hansds. This is the best book that ive ever read. Thank you again. He kissed it happily and emberaced his friend warmly. We are great pals! Lancingan said. Right. We are, arent we? was Palonyots response. They went into the classroom. During class time, Lancingan always tried to stealthily

read the book. When he looked at Mandrakes eyes, he felt hyphnotized. -----------****-----------

Time flew. Thirty five years had gone by. Despite still keeping the book, he had abandoned the idea of becoming a magician because he knew that it was not that easy to achieve. Moreover, Mbak Tarti told him that he had deluded himself into believing that conjuring was for real. But the old suddenly occrued to him again when wtched david Copperfield demonstrating his ability in the televison program. The illusionists tricks amazed him. He thought he could write a letter to him to ask for information about where David had learned to perform conjuring tricks. Ridiculous! his wife was saying. You had better start looking for a job rather than thinking of such an idea of the absurd, she continued. Listen to me, you fool! Lancingan cried out. Im thinking of becoming a great man i want to be a magician. Ill conjure up a heap of money, beautiful cars, houses, bungalows for you... But how? When you be doing it. Ive been waiting for centuries. Ive been burning the candle at both ends to feed you and our koids. But youre taking ypur sweet time. You spend my money on cigarettes and drinking coffee with heap sugar. You waste your time by chatting with neighbours in guard house almost every night. Youre hanging back! Youve done nothing. Shame on you! Look at this, Lancingan answered as the opened the morning papaers. Read this. Here it is told that loads of money, kept in the safe, suddenly disappeared without a trace. You know what the police said? They said that it was done a simple treasure. He went to his office by motorcycle. Now he has almost everything. His wife goes abroad every week shopping in Singapore and Hongkong. Pak Gareng must be a conjurer. Do you want more news? Listen. There was a bank robber imprisoned. One morning, he complained to a jailer who was on duty of a queasy stomach. He wanted to go to the hospital. The jailer asked his superior if the robber could be permitted to go outof the prison. The superior said that it would be no problem provided that he was closely guarded. On the way to the hospital, the robber said that he wanted to buy cigarettes. As the truck for transpoting prisoner stopped, the

guards felt so sleepy and the robber flew away. The police said that withintwenty four hours, he would be recaptured. Three months had pass and nonews of the robber had been reported. Just this morning, the police said, as it is reported in this papers, that robber was now a director of a very big company in Africa. He must be a conjurer, too. You know, two weeks ago, a paper retailer was murdered. The murdererwas not yet identified. But the ploce suddenly conjured up the suspect... Stop. Stop it. Youre talking through your hat. I dont to listen you anymore. His wife cried out. Running into the room, slamming the door, she threw herself forcefully on the bed. Everythings my fault, she sobbed. Cry your heart out, darling, Lancingan was saying as he stepped out of the house. Moving leisurely, he went to the guardhouse of the kampong again as he usually did to join the young jobless people in playing cards and talking nonsense until dawn. One thing that he learned from them on that particular night was that to become a magician was not labyrinthine on condition that he could fulfil certain requirrements. What do i have to do? Lancingan wanted to know. One of them said that there was an hold hermit living at the top of the Lawu mountain. He could teach you how to bring something into existence. The man suggest that Lancingan walk up teh top and meet hermit. But i dont have any money, not even a rupiah to pay for that. Dont worry. You are not meant to pay for that all at once but later after you already a wealthy person. The following morning, Lancingan departed for the Lawu mountain without saying anything to his wife but he took some moneyfrom her wallet to provide himself on the trip. He knew he had to be nippyto catch the bus to Solo and straight on to Tawangmangu where he walk up to the top of monuntain. Two days later he arrived at small hut. He saw an old man sitting on a mat with closed eyes and his arms folded across his shest. Kulanuwun, he called out to announce his arrival. Mangga was the answer. Be seated the old man continued.

Your names Lancingan right? The old man asked as he opened his eyes. How does he know my name? He thought. You want to learn how to cause something to disppear, dont you? No! I mean... yes. Right. Absolutely right! Open your palms, please. Lancingan opened and showed his palms. Saying spells, the old man put both his palms on his. Lancingan felt the magic go down onto his palms, hands, arms and through his whole body. He trembled but only because of the chilly weather. Now you have to wash you face, the old man said. Lancingan went to the well which was next to the hut and dipped out some water. Following that, with both palms he washed his face. Sensing the water as cold as ice, he experienced small pricking sensation on his face. When you finish washing,please look at yourself into the water in the bucket. He did as the old man wished. No. No. No. Lancingan cried out very loudly Whats happening? My face has completely vanished....? Thats good. Now you can go down the slope and when you arrive in townthere, you can start practisingconjuring money and other magical activities. No one knows who you are because the police will not be able to identify you. You know why? Those who are faceless are shameless. Good luck! Speaking thus, the breze began to blow very hard and the old hermit became smaller and smaller. When he was as a dot, he hovered in the wind. Before eventually disappering, he sang a beautiful songbut just one lie repeated continously. You lived to tell the tale this time but who knows how far you can push you luck... Lancingan sobbed helplessly.***

Hyderabad: August 8, 1996 The Jakarta Post, December,29,1996

UAS Direction: Analyse Bakdi Sumantos The Magician using one of literary critism that you master most. Anaysis consist of: Topic or title and problem statement. Theoretical approach (please stale the literary theory that use to analyze the fiction and the reason why you use the particular theory related to your analysis). Your analysis should be at least10 paragraphs or two full page of A4 paper, using Times New Roman, font 12, with standard margin (topic or title, problem statement, and theoritical approach are not included). Any kind of quotations other than your own writing/opinion shoild be stated clearly otherwise it will affect judgement in grading your paper..

Submit on Friday, June 3, 2011...