Folklore from Bali
One day, while walking along a narrow forest path, Jayaprana overheard two villagers talking about the king’s search for loyal and courageous young men to serve the kingdom. The idea lit a spark in his heart. “If I can serve the king, I will finally have a home, a family, and a purpose,” he thought. The villagers spoke of how serving the king brought honor, protection, and a chance to live within the grand walls of the palace. Jayaprana's heart swelled with hope. Determined to change his fate, he decided he would travel to the palace and offer his loyalty to the king himself.
With nothing but the clothes on his back and courage in his heart, Jayaprana set out on his journey. The path was long and unfamiliar, winding through dense forests and open meadows. Along the way, he encountered wild animals, crossed shallow rivers, and felt the sun’s heat on his back. Yet, he never wavered. As he walked, he remembered his parents’ words from long ago, “Be brave, and you will always find a way.” These words became his strength. Every step he took brought him closer to his dream. He imagined the grand palace with its towering gates and golden roofs shining in the sunlight.
Finally, after days of walking, Jayaprana reached the entrance of the king's palace. His heart pounded in his chest as he gazed at the towering stone gates adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures. Two guards stood at either side, their faces stern, gripping spears firmly in their hands. For a moment, doubt crept into his mind. "Will they let me in? Will the king even listen to me?" he wondered. But he shook his head and took a deep breath. With all the courage he could muster, he approached the gates, ready to face whatever awaited him on the other side.
The king, deeply moved by Jayaprana’s dedication and sincerity, saw something special in the young boy. He was touched by the boy’s willingness to offer his life to the kingdom, and that kind of loyalty was rare. With a warm heart, the king welcomed Jayaprana into the palace, offering him a room to stay and work alongside the royal servants. Jayaprana was overjoyed and filled with gratitude, knowing that his dreams had come true. In return, he worked diligently every day, helping wherever he was needed, and dedicating himself wholeheartedly to his new life in the palace. He quickly earned the respect of everyone around him for his kindness, diligence, and unwavering commitment to the kingdom.
As time went on, Jayaprana grew into a strong and handsome young man, admired by both the royal family and the people of the kingdom. His loyalty never wavered, and his devotion to the king was unwavering. He was always quick to help in any task, no matter how difficult or tedious. The king, who had come to see Jayaprana as a son, trusted him deeply and often sought his counsel. Over time, Jayaprana's reputation spread far and wide, and he became known as one of the most loyal and noble men in the kingdom. His heart remained pure, and his actions reflected his deep respect for the king who had given him a chance when no one else would.
Despite his growing status, Jayaprana never let it change him. He remained humble and always kept the well-being of the kingdom and the king at the forefront of his thoughts. His loyalty, obedience, and faithfulness were unwavering, even as the years passed. The king, now older, often spoke of how lucky he was to have Jayaprana by his side. The bond between them grew stronger, and the king began to treat Jayaprana as if he were his own son. However, little did Jayaprana know, his loyalty would soon be tested in ways he could never have imagined.
One day, the king summoned Jayaprana to his chambers.
"How may I serve you, Your Majesty?" Jayaprana asked with utmost respect.
The king looked at him thoughtfully and said, "You are now a man, Jayaprana. It is time for you to marry. There are many noble ladies in this palace, choose one to be your bride."
Jayaprana bowed his head, his heart heavy with thought. "Your Majesty, I am deeply honored, but I humbly request to seek a bride from beyond the palace walls. I long to find a woman whose heart mirrors my own humble beginnings, one who comes from the village, just as I do."
The king smiled, understanding the sincerity in Jayaprana's words. "If this is your wish, I grant it to you. Go, find the one you seek, and when you do, bring her to me. I will write to her family and ask for their blessing in marriage."
With a heart full of hope, Jayaprana left the palace and ventured into the nearby village. There, his eyes were drawn to a young woman of extraordinary beauty, one whose spirit seemed to shine just as brightly as her appearance. At that very moment, Jayaprana knew he had found his beloved. He approached her with kindness and asked for her name.
"My name is Layonsari," she replied, her eyes sparkling like the stars.
Jayaprana returned to the palace with a joyful heart and shared his discovery with the king. True to his word, the king sent a letter to Layonsari’s parents, requesting their permission for the union. The proposal was accepted, and preparations for the grand wedding began. The celebration was set to take place at the royal palace, where, upon seeing Layonsari, the king’s heart was stirred with an unexpected desire.
In that moment, the king’s admiration for Layonsari turned into something darker, something that clouded his judgment. He devised a treacherous plan, one born of jealousy and a twisted longing. The king summoned Jayaprana and sent him on a hunting expedition in the jungle, under the guise of an important royal task. Secretly, he ordered his soldiers to follow Jayaprana and end his life in the wilderness, clearing the way for the king’s own desires.
As Jayaprana prepared for the journey, he spoke with Layonsari. "The king has asked me to hunt in the jungle," he said, trying to ease her concern.
Layonsari, sensing an ominous foreboding, took his hands in hers. "My love, I beg you, don’t go. My heart is heavy with worry."
But Jayaprana, ever loyal and trusting in the king’s intentions, smiled gently. "Do not worry, my dear. I will return to you safely, just as I always have." And with a promise in his heart, he departed, unaware of the danger that awaited him.
Jayaprana ventured deep into the jungle, unaware of the silent observer following his every step. In the quiet solitude of the wilderness, an unforeseen tragedy occurred, and Jayaprana's life was lost. The jungle, once a place of mystery, now held only the echoes of a life cut short. Back at the palace, the king approached Layonsari with a somber expression, conveying the dreadful news with a carefully controlled tone.
"Your husband is no more," the king said gently, his voice heavy with false sorrow. "He met with an unfortunate and untimely fate in the wild." Layonsari’s heart broke upon hearing the words. A wave of grief swept over her as she tried to comprehend the loss of the man she loved so dearly. The pain was unbearable, and her world felt suddenly hollow as the reality of her loss settled in, leaving her to grieve the future that would never be.
The king, noticing Layonsari’s immense sorrow, tried to console her with a proposal. "I understand your grief, but life must go on," he said. "Why not stay here at the palace and become my queen? You could find peace and purpose again."
Layonsari, still in shock from the loss of her beloved, shook her head in disbelief. "Your Majesty, I cannot. I loved my husband deeply, and no one could ever replace him."
The king, his frustration mounting, replied with cold authority, "If you refuse, you leave me no choice."
In a moment of overwhelming sorrow, Layonsari’s heart broke. She chose to end her suffering in her own way, feeling as though she could not bear to live in a world without Jayaprana. As she fell into eternal rest, the kingdom was struck with an air of unease, a deep sadness that spread through the people.
The king, consumed by anger and madness, turned on those around him, lashing out in uncontrollable rage. The people, terrified by the king’s erratic behavior, united in defiance. They managed to restrain the king and imprison him, bringing an end to his reign of terror, and restoring peace to the kingdom once more.
Layonsari’s response to the king’s proposal — choosing to remain loyal to her late husband, even at the cost of her own life — underscores the strength of moral conviction. Her decision emphasizes that true courage is not only in the face of external dangers but also in holding firm to one’s principles, even when confronted with unbearable sorrow or loss.
The king, driven by deceit and betrayal, ultimately finds his downfall. His betrayal of Jayaprana and Layonsari’s trust, and his failure to recognize the value of true loyalty, integrity, and courage, serve as a warning about the destructive path of dishonesty and moral corruption.
In the end, the story reminds us that, despite the darkness that can cloud our world, the light of loyalty, honesty, and courage can overcome the shadows of betrayal and deceit, guiding us toward true peace and justice.
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