Revised folk-tale, April 20,
2014
By Rizal Saryadi
A
long time ago in 15th century, Java
was ruled in democratic system by King Sirupata. He was a wise person, kind,
and friendly. Because of his integrity, everyone
respected him though he acted as ordinary people in daily social life.
One day the former Prime Minister of Kingdom died, and
the king was forced to make a quick decision for who would succeed that
position. Then the king invited all officials of the kingdom and discussed the
proper candidate of this position. The discussion was not taking long time
because the forums agreed to choose his son, Sirwala, to take the position. As
his counselor suggested, “ My King…your son is trusted to be in this position
and I think he is qualified to be the Prime Minister of our kingdom based on
his love and responsibility towards the kingdom.” The King and all forums
agreed with the counselor and the decided Sirwala as the official Prime
Minister of Java Kingdom.
After a month Sirwala was being a Prime Minister of
Java Kingdom counselor talked to the king that they needed to send a delegation
for a piece between their kingdom and Sriwijaya.
“My
king…I think that our kingdom doesn’t need to have a war with Sriwijaya. As we
know our society would be suffered because of war” said the counselor. At the
moment the king replied, “Hmm…you’re right my friend. Our kingdom must be peaceful, and
our people must not be suffered because of war. I will call Sirwala to finish
this matter. What about you my friend? Do you have any idea?” then the
counselor said, “I have no idea, sir, your decision is very wise for me”. After
that, the counselor asked permission to leave king’s room.
At night, Sirwala went home sadly. He told his wife
about the task.
“I
cannot leave you alone. Soon you will give birth to our child” Sirwala said.
“Don’t
worry about me. I can take care of myself.” His wife answered.
Tomorrow morning Sirwala left his kingdom and
beautiful wife to accomplish the task from king. It was a long and hard journey
for him to leave his wife. The hardest thing is he left his happy life and
sweet memory with his beloved wife in the kingdom.
A few days after Sirwala left, his wife gave birth to a handsome
baby boy. She was very proud of the baby. But unfortunately, one day Sirwala's wife went to the spring. The wicked
woman,
Sirwala’s mother,
took the baby away. She threw the baby to a river.
Sirwala's wife was shocked when she could not
find her baby. "Where is my baby?" she cried. She looked for for her son, but she could not find
him. Finally she fell sick because she did not eat or drink. She grew more thin and weak day after day.
After six months, Sirwala came home. He could not wait to see his
wife and child.His mother saw him at the gate. She said to him,"My son,
your wife is wicked woman. She killed her own baby. She killed your son. She
threw your
son into the river."
Sirwala was very shocked to hear it. When he met his
wife, he did not believe in anything his wife said. He
was very angry that he would kill his wife.Sadly his wife said, "I'm very
sad because you dont believe me. You don't have to kill me. Because I will die
soon."Then she cut her thumb and
ran into a river nearby. Then there was a hidden voice said, " my dear husband, my blood will be
the witness of the truth. If
the fragrant smell
comes out of this river, then I'm innocent."
A miracle happened. From the river,
there came out some fragrant smell. At the center of the river came out two
beautiful-strange flowers.
A big flower and a small one. The small flower said, "Dad, I'm your son. My mother is innocent.
It was grandmother who threw me intothe
river." After that Sirwala cried loudly. He regreted what he had
done to his wife. But it was too late. His wife and child turned into two beautiful-strange
flowers.
The smelly and dirty
river turned into clear and sweet smelled one. In javanese, the fragrant
river is
called Banyuwangi. And now the land around the fragrant river is
known as Banyuwangi, a town in East Java.
