Indonesian Folklore (Folklor Indonesia): Tales from Nusantara (Archipelago): Keong Emas (The Golden Snail)

The Golden Snail: The Curse of Dewi Limaran and the Divine Melody of Love

Keong Emas | Edisi Bahasa Indonesia

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Folklore From Central Java

Prince Raden Putra and Dewi Limaran were not only husband and wife but also the beloved rulers of a prosperous kingdom. Their love was the talk of the land, and their palace, perched on the hills, was a reflection of their happiness. The kingdom flourished under the wise leadership of the Prince and his enchanting wife. Dewi Limaran, with her grace and beauty, was adored by all who knew her. The palace gardens, in particular, were her favorite place to wander, filled with colorful flowers and tranquil ponds.

One fine afternoon, Dewi Limaran decided to take a leisurely stroll through the garden. The air was warm, and the soft rustling of the trees created a peaceful atmosphere. She admired the beauty of nature when suddenly, her eyes fell upon something quite unexpected—a small snail, creeping slowly across the garden path. It was a dull, dirty creature, its slimy trail marking the ground.

"Yuck!" she exclaimed, wrinkling her nose in disgust. Without a second thought, Dewi Limaran picked up the snail and threw it into the nearby river, hoping to rid herself of the unpleasant sight.

Unbeknownst to Dewi Limaran, the snail was no ordinary creature. It was, in fact, a powerful and ancient witch, known for her mastery of shape-shifting. Furious with Dewi Limaran’s disdainful act, the witch shed her snail disguise, transforming into her true form—a towering, sinister figure cloaked in shadows, her eyes blazing with malice.

"You dare to treat me with such cruelty?" the witch hissed, her voice reverberating like thunder. Before Dewi Limaran could react, the witch raised her hand, summoning a surge of dark magic. In an instant, the princess’s radiant form began to shimmer and change. Her graceful body shrank and twisted, her limbs receding into the smooth, glistening shell of a golden snail. The eerie glow of the transformation reflected in the witch’s cruel smile as she taunted, "Let this be a lesson in humility, princess."

With a flick of her hand, the witch cast the helpless golden snail into the river, cackling as the current swept it away. Dewi Limaran’s world blurred into the rushing water, her heart heavy with despair as she realized the gravity of her fate.

The golden snail drifted down the river for what felt like hours, until it became tangled in a fisherwoman’s net. The fisherwoman, an old woman with a kind heart, had been fishing that day to provide for herself. She was surprised when she pulled in the shimmering golden snail, its beauty unlike anything she had ever seen. Intrigued, she took the snail home with her, thinking it could bring her good luck.

That night, as the old woman rested, she awoke to find that her house was in an entirely different condition. The floors had been swept, the dishes washed, and food was laid out on the table. "Who could have done this?" she wondered aloud. "It must be some kind of magic."

The next morning, the same thing happened again. Her house was tidier, and food appeared on the table, as if by some invisible hand. The old woman, curious and slightly baffled, decided to stay awake that night to uncover the mystery.

As the moonlight filtered through the window, the old woman peered out from behind a curtain. To her astonishment, the golden snail on the floor began to glow, its form shifting and changing. Before her very eyes, the snail turned into a beautiful woman, bathed in a soft, ethereal light. The old woman gasped in awe and stepped forward.

"Who are you, young girl?" she asked, her voice full of wonder.

The woman smiled gently and bowed. "I am Dewi Limaran, ma'am," she replied softly. "I was cursed by a wicked witch. Each day, I am trapped in the form of a golden snail, and I can only turn back into a human at night. But there is hope. The spell can be broken if I hear the melody of the holy Gamelan."

The old woman, moved by Dewi Limaran’s plight, knew what she had to do. She quickly ran to the palace, where Prince Raden Putra had been frantically searching for his beloved wife ever since she had disappeared. He was overjoyed when the old woman told him about Dewi Limaran’s curse.

"I will do anything to save her," Prince Raden Putra declared, his heart filled with hope. "I will find the holy Gamelan, no matter the cost."

For many days, the Prince meditated and prayed to the gods. He asked them for the sacred Gamelan, a divine instrument known for its mystical power. Finally, after much devotion, the gods granted his wish, and a beautiful set of Gamelan was brought to him.

With the holy Gamelan in hand, Prince Raden Putra hurried through the night, his heart pounding with hope and determination. He reached the old woman’s humble cottage, its flickering candlelight casting soft shadows on the walls. With reverence and love, he set the sacred Gamelan before him, his fingers caressing the delicate keys. As the first note echoed through the night air, a profound silence fell around them, as if the world itself was holding its breath in anticipation. He played with all the love and devotion in his heart, pouring his soul into each note, weaving the melody into the very fabric of the evening.

The divine sounds of the Gamelan spread like a ripple across the land, a soothing and otherworldly harmony that resonated deep within the earth. As the notes floated through the air, the golden snail, lying quietly on the floor, began to shimmer. Its once-muted glow intensified, glowing brighter and brighter, until the light became almost blinding. The magical transformation was underway. The snail’s golden shell began to lose its color, slowly revealing the true form beneath. In a dazzling burst of light, the snail dissolved into nothingness, and before them stood Dewi Limaran, radiant and restored. Her skin, once golden and cold, now bloomed with the warm hues of life and beauty, her long flowing hair shimmering with the soft glow of the moon.

Tears filled Raden Putra’s eyes as he gazed upon his beloved, overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. The curse had been lifted, and the woman he loved was once again before him, more beautiful than ever. The air around them seemed to hum with the energy of the moment, the love that had been lost and then found again radiating between them like a golden thread. In that moment, they were reunited, not just in body, but in spirit, bound together by the power of love, sacrifice, and the divine melody of the Gamelan.

Dewi Limaran

Overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, Dewi Limaran ran to her husband’s arms. The couple embraced, their love stronger than ever, as the Prince whispered, "My love, I never gave up on you."

They turned to the old woman, who had helped them reunite. "Thank you, kind lady," Dewi Limaran said. "You have given us back our happiness." As a token of their gratitude, the Prince and Princess invited the old woman to live with them in the palace, where she would want for nothing. They made her a member of their family, showering her with love and respect.

And so, the couple lived happily ever after, their hearts full of love, gratitude, and the knowledge that kindness and devotion could break even the most powerful of curses. As for the old woman, she was treated as royalty, her life forever changed by the kindness she had shown to a lost soul.

The story of Dewi Limaran and Prince Raden Putra became a beloved legend in the kingdom, a tale that spoke of love’s power, the importance of kindness, and the magical healing that comes from an open heart.

Moral Message

This story teaches that love, kindness, and devotion have the power to overcome even the most difficult challenges. True love remains steadfast even in the face of adversity, and helping others, even in small ways, can lead to great rewards. The story also emphasizes the importance of compassion—as seen in the old woman's kindness in caring for Dewi Limaran, which eventually led to her restoration.

Furthermore, the story highlights that no matter how far apart two people may be, true love will always find a way to bring them back together. Gratitude and humility are also important themes, as the couple shows deep appreciation for the old woman’s help and kindness.

Moreover, this story reminds us that quick judgments based on outward appearances, like Dewi Limaran's reaction to the snail, can lead to unexpected consequences. In contrast, the old woman, who does not feel disgusted by the snail, demonstrates values such as acceptance and genuine affection, which ultimately bring about positive change. This message teaches us not to rush to judge something or someone based solely on outward appearances, as true value is often hidden beneath the surface.

Did You Know?

The Apple Snail, also known by its popular name Keong Emas (Pomacea canaliculata Lamarck), is a type of freshwater mollusk that plays a unique role in both the aquarium world and agriculture. While it is commonly found as an aquarium inhabitant in homes, the golden snail is also known as a dangerous pest for rice crops, especially in Asia. With its striking shell shape and beautiful golden color, the golden snail can pose a serious threat to rice farming due to its ability to damage rice plants by eating the roots and young stems. No wonder the golden snail has become an interesting topic to study, both from an ecological perspective and in terms of its impact on agricultural ecosystems.

On the other hand, there’s something equally fascinating related to the golden snail. In Indonesia, specifically at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in East Jakarta, there is a very unique and grand theater building called Teater Imax Keong Mas. This building is not only famous for its advanced IMAX film technology but also for its design, which resembles a giant golden snail, reminding us of the golden snail that has become an iconic and eye-catching symbol. The theater is an ideal place to enjoy spectacular film screenings, with an immersive viewing experience thanks to the advanced technology used. Its existence creates a unique connection between the natural world and modern entertainment, merging architectural art with the world of cinema in a captivating unity.

With all its attractions, the Golden Snail—whether in nature or in the form of a building—always offers fascinating stories from various dimensions of life.

🎨 Dewi Limaran Digital Painting 🎨