Telu Pak: Life Lessons from Four Teachers and the Journey to Succes
Telu Pak | Edisi Indonesia
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Folklore from Lampung
The Rise of a Spoiled Young Man
Once upon a time in the lush landscapes of Lampung, there lived a young man named Buyung. As a child, he was the apple of his parents' eyes. They indulged him with every whim and desire, showering him with gifts and luxuries. Buyung grew up accustomed to a life of ease, never lifting a finger to work hard.
As time passed, Buyung entered adulthood, but his parents eventually passed away, leaving him with no wealth and no skills to sustain himself. His life took a drastic turn as he found himself in dire poverty. His wife, concerned for their future, suggested that he seek the guidance of a wise teacher to help him regain his fortune.
The Search for Wisdom
Determined to change his fate, Buyung set off on a journey to find a teacher who could impart the wisdom he needed. After days of searching, he finally found a sage who lived atop a hill. The sage listened to Buyung's plight and offered a piece of advice: “Always do good, even when it’s hard.”
Buyung returned home, inspired but unsure. However, after three months of trying to live by the sage's advice, he found no change in his fortune. Frustrated, he decided to seek out another teacher.
New Lessons and Misguided Advice
In his quest for wisdom, Buyung encountered a second teacher, who told him, “Do not dream of the impossible.” While Buyung appreciated the sage's words, he returned home again feeling disheartened as he remained in the same situation.
Undeterred, he sought a third teacher. This time, the teacher advised him, “Do not listen to women; they will only distract you.” Following this advice led to constant arguments with his wife, and eventually, he recognized that this advice was harmful.
The Fourth Teacher’s Promise
At last, Buyung met a fourth teacher who promised, “Follow my advice, and you will surely become successful. But you must not seek any other teachers.” Eager for a solution, Buyung agreed. The teacher instructed him to help others at all times, day and night, and thus, Buyung adopted a new name: Telu Pak—which meant “three” and “four,” symbolizing his four teachers.
A Night of Change
One dark night, a soldier knocked on Telu Pak's door, carrying the body of his deceased comrade. The soldier explained that he could not take the body to the palace and asked for Telu Pak’s help in burying it. Remembering his teacher’s words, Telu Pak agreed and set out to assist.
As he dug into the earth, his hoe struck something hard and shining. It was a massive stone! When he finished burying the soldier, he brought the stone home to show his wife.
“It’s a diamond!” she exclaimed, her eyes wide with astonishment.
News of Telu Pak's fortune spread quickly throughout the village, and even reached the ears of the king, who desired the diamond for himself.
A Royal Challenge
The king visited Telu Pak and said, “Telu Pak, I possess a diamond similar to yours, but smaller. I believe your diamond is the mother of mine, searching for her child.” The king proposed a challenge: “Let us place our diamonds on the table. If your diamond moves towards mine, it belongs to me. Conversely, if mine moves towards yours, it shall be yours.”
“Deal!” agreed Telu Pak, excited by the challenge.
As they placed their diamonds on the table, to everyone’s amazement, the king's diamond began to inch toward Telu Pak's. Keeping his word, the king surrendered his diamond to Telu Pak.
A New Beginning
With two diamonds in his possession, Telu Pak was overjoyed. He sold the diamonds and used the money wisely, ensuring a better life for himself and his wife. True to his promise, he shared his wealth with the poor and taught the lessons he had learned from his four teachers to others in the village.
Respect and admiration grew for Telu Pak, and many began to refer to him as a wise man. He became a beacon of hope and a source of wisdom for those around him, proving that kindness and hard work can lead to a prosperous life.
Moral Message
1. Kindness Brings Goodness: Doing good for others, even in difficult situations, will yield positive outcomes. Genuine kindness will return to us in unexpected ways.
2. Learning from Experience: Every experience, whether good or bad, teaches valuable lessons. It’s important to take wisdom from every encounter and advice received.
3. Patience and Hard Work: Success doesn’t come quickly; it requires patience and hard work to achieve. We must continue to strive despite facing challenges.
4. Valuing Wise Advice: Listening to and applying advice from wise individuals can help us grow and reach our desired goals.
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