Indonesian Folklore (Folklor Indonesia): Tales from Nusantara (Archipelago): Cindelaras

The Tale of Cindelaras: A Story of Truth, Justice, and Unbreakable Bonds

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Cindelaras | Edisi Indonesia

Folklore from East Java

Once upon a time, in the lush and prosperous kingdom of Jenggala, ruled a wise and just king named Raden Putra. He had a beautiful and beloved queen, Ratu Ayu, who was admired for her grace, wisdom, and kindness. However, the king’s heart had been swayed by the charms of a concubine, Sari Dewi, who was equally beautiful but had a malicious nature hidden behind her radiant facade.

Sari Dewi, consumed by jealousy of the queen’s position, harbored a dark desire to become the king’s one and only queen. She resented the queen’s grace and influence over the king, and so, she devised a cruel plan. She conspired with the palace healer, a man skilled in the art of deception, to accuse the queen of treason. They claimed that Ratu Ayu had plotted to poison the king, a lie that would have disastrous consequences.

Raden Putra, blindsided by the malicious plot, believed the healer’s deceitful accusations and was filled with rage. In his fury, he ordered the queen to be banished from the palace and sent into the perilous jungle as punishment, with the hope that she would never return. Unbeknownst to the king, the queen was pregnant with his child, and this harsh punishment would change the course of their lives forever.

Ratu Ayu, heartbroken and alone, wandered deep into the jungle, unsure of what the future held. Her strength was tested as she navigated the wilderness, but she never lost hope. Several months later, in the quiet solitude of the forest, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. She named him Cindelaras, which means "the son of hope." She raised him in secret, away from the eyes of the palace, teaching him how to survive in the jungle and the ways of the world, all the while yearning for the day she could reunite with the king.

As Cindelaras grew, he became a strong and handsome young man, well-liked by the animals of the forest and the villagers who lived nearby. One day, while helping his mother gather firewood, a mysterious eagle swooped down and dropped an egg at his feet. Intrigued, Cindelaras took the egg home, where he carefully cared for it, nurturing it as if it were his own.

From the egg hatched a small chick, and over time, the chick grew into a magnificent rooster. The rooster was no ordinary bird; it had a magical ability. It was fiercely competitive, and whenever it fought against other roosters, it won effortlessly. But its most remarkable trait was its ability to sing a song that seemed to carry a hidden message:

“My master is Cindelaras. He lives in the jungle. His father is a king. His name is Raden Putra.”

At first, Cindelaras thought little of the rooster’s strange song. But as days passed, the rooster sang the same melody over and over again, and Cindelaras could not ignore it any longer. Disturbed, he confided in his mother about the mysterious song, and that was when she told him the truth: he was the son of Raden Putra, the king of Jenggala. His mother, the queen, had been unjustly banished to the jungle while carrying him, and she had never betrayed the king. The truth struck Cindelaras like a thunderbolt, and he made up his mind: he would go to the palace and claim his birthright.

With the magical rooster by his side, Cindelaras set off toward the palace. Along the way, he encountered several villagers who heard of his rooster’s extraordinary abilities. One by one, Cindelaras’ rooster faced off against other roosters, each time emerging victorious. Word of his rooster’s remarkable prowess spread far and wide, eventually reaching the ears of King Raden Putra.

The king, intrigued by the tales of the great rooster, sent for Cindelaras to come to the palace. When Cindelaras arrived, the king proposed a challenge: the two roosters would face off in a battle, with the winner claiming a magnificent prize. If Cindelaras' rooster won, he would receive the king's most valuable jewels. However, if the rooster lost, Cindelaras would be thrown into prison.

The two roosters fought fiercely, but in a matter of minutes, Cindelaras' rooster triumphed. The crowd cheered, but the moment was far from over. The magical rooster sang its song once again, and this time, King Raden Putra listened closely.

“My master is Cindelaras. He lives in the jungle. His father is a king. His name is Raden Putra.”

The king was stunned, and his heart raced as the realization hit him. He turned to Cindelaras, demanding to know who he was. Cindelaras, with a steady voice, told the king the whole truth. He spoke of his mother, the queen, who had been falsely accused and sent into exile. He revealed that he had come to the palace to meet his father, whom he had never known.

The king’s face turned pale with guilt. He had been deceived by the healer and the concubine. The healer, once a trusted advisor, finally confessed to his role in the false accusations, admitting that the queen was innocent and had never plotted against the king.

Raden Putra’s heart broke as he realized the grave mistake he had made. He immediately ordered the concubine, *Sari Dewi*, to be imprisoned for her treachery, and he sought out his wife, Ratu Ayu, in the jungle.

After a long and arduous journey, the king finally found the queen in the jungle, where she had lived in solitude, raising their son. The queen, though initially shocked, forgave the king, understanding the pain and sorrow he had endured. Raden Putra apologized for his wrongful actions and promised to never again be swayed by deceit. He brought his wife and son back to the palace, where she was crowned queen once more.

From that day forward, the kingdom of Jenggala flourished under the wise and just rule of King Raden Putra and Queen Ayu. And as for Cindelaras, he grew into a respected and powerful young man, beloved by the people for his wisdom, bravery, and compassion. The story of his journey to find his father and the magical rooster that led him to his destiny became a legend, passed down through generations as a tale of love, justice, and redemption.

Moral of the Story:

The story of Cindelaras teaches us about the importance of truth and justice. It shows that false accusations can lead to unnecessary suffering, but with perseverance and courage, the truth will eventually be revealed. It also emphasizes the bond between a parent and child, and how fate can guide us to unexpected reunions. Additionally, the tale reminds us that kindness, loyalty, and integrity will always triumph over deceit and manipulation.

Did you know?

Indonesia is home to some of the world’s most remarkable chickens — from the mysterious, jet-black Ayam Cemani to the elegant Pelung with its melodious crow. Each breed carries a piece of the archipelago’s soul, shaped by its islands, climates, and cultures. With hundreds of local varieties, Indonesian chickens are not only symbols of beauty and resilience but also living links to the ancient junglefowl that once roamed these lands.

🐓 Why so many breeds come from Indonesia:

Indonesia’s vast geography — over 17,000 islands — creates countless isolated environments. Over centuries, chickens adapted to different climates, diets, and human traditions. This natural and cultural diversity encouraged selective breeding by local communities, giving rise to unique traits such as:

Distinct colors and feather patterns (like Ayam Ketawa’s “laughing” crow or Ayam Pelung’s song).
Cultural symbolism, with certain breeds used in rituals, performances, or as status symbols.
Ancient lineage — Indonesia is part of the original range of the Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus), the wild ancestor of all domestic chickens. That means many Indonesian breeds still carry traits close to the earliest chickens in history!

So in short — Indonesia didn’t just inherit chickens; it helped shape the world’s chickens. 🪶

Meet the Ayam Pelung, or Pelung chicken—a remarkable breed hailing from the lush landscapes of Cianjur, Indonesia. These aren’t your ordinary backyard chickens; the males are celebrated as “singing roosters”, famed for their melodious, far-carrying crows. In fact, locals hold lively crow-singing contests, where roosters compete to prove who has the most enchanting voice.

But it’s not just their songs that impress—these birds are statuesque! A fully grown male can weigh 5–6 kg (12–15 lb) and tower up to 50 cm (18 in) tall, standing proud like a feathery champion of the barnyard. 🐓🎶

The Ayam Cemani is a mysterious and mesmerizing chicken from Cemani village, near Surakarta on the island of Java, Indonesia. Cloaked entirely in black—from feathers and beak to even internal organs—this bird has fascinated breeders and collectors for decades.

Its journey beyond Java began in 1998, when Dutch breeder Jan Steverink brought it to Europe. Today, the Ayam Cemani thrives in countries like the Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, enchanting poultry enthusiasts with its striking appearance and legendary rarity. 🖤🐓

Meet the Ayam Ketawa, or “Laughing Chicken”, from Sidenreng Rappang (Sidrap) in South

Celebes, Indonesia. Locally, it’s affectionately called Ayam Gaga. At first glance, it might look like an ordinary chicken, but listen closely… and you’ll hear something extraordinary!

True to its name, this chicken’s crowing sounds like laughter, and at times, it even mimics the gentle cooing of a turtle dove. A feathery comedian of the barnyard, the Ayam Ketawa is sure to bring a smile to anyone who hears its unique call. 🐓😂

The Ayam Sumatra, or Sumatra chicken, hails from the rugged landscapes of Sumatra, Indonesia. Originally prized for their fierce spirit, these chickens were first brought to the U.S. and Europe in 1847 as fighting cocks, dazzling spectators with their agility and courage.

Today, the Sumatra has traded the arena for the spotlight of exhibition halls, admired for its sleek beauty and proud posture. The Black Sumatra even earned its place in history in 1883, when it was officially added to the American Standard of Perfection, cementing its legacy as a breed of elegance and distinction. 🐓✨