The Tale of Ora and Gerong: The Twin Brothers
Legenda Komodo >> Edisi Indonesia
Folklore from East Nusa Tenggara
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In the quiet village of Kampung Najo, a deep sense of anticipation filled the air. Epa, the daughter of Najo, was preparing for the birth of her first child. The village had its unique way of delivering babies — not through natural childbirth, but through a sacred tradition where the stomach was cut open using a bamboo knife. The elders believed this method, performed by the village midwife, was a blessing that ensured the mother’s safety.
On that fateful day, Epa lay on woven mats as the midwife whispered prayers and performed the sacred operation. The village elders stood outside, awaiting the news. Moments later, the sound of newborn cries filled the air.
"Congratulations!" the midwife exclaimed. "You have twins!"
However, as she held up the babies, the room fell into a stunned silence. One of the newborns was a healthy baby boy, but the other was a small, scaly creature — a baby lizard.
Epa, though taken aback, smiled softly. "This is our fate, Wake," she said to her husband, who knelt by her side, his eyes wide with wonder. "We have been blessed with two sons, no matter their forms."
The baby boy was named Gerong, and the baby lizard was named Ora, which means “lizard” in the local language. Despite their differences, Epa and Wake raised the twins with equal love and care.
As time passed, Gerong and Ora grew up together, inseparable. Gerong, full of energy, and Ora, agile and quick, were often seen running around the house, playing among the trees and large rocks in the village.
One day, as the evening set in, Gerong challenged Ora, "Come on, Ora! Let’s see who can climb this tree the fastest!"
Ora, eager to win, quickly responded, "I'll go first, Gerong! Watch me fly up!" With his short but strong legs, Ora darted up the tree trunk, while Gerong tried to keep up, laughing joyfully behind him.
"Don’t go too fast, Ora! Wait for me!" Gerong shouted, laughing. They laughed together, without ever thinking about the differences in their bodies. In their eyes, they were siblings who loved and protected each other.
Every day, they played together, and Gerong was often amazed by Ora’s unique abilities. Ora could swim quickly in the small river behind the house, or easily catch insects. Meanwhile, Gerong taught Ora how to shape things from clay, making simple toys from the natural materials around them.
"Even though we look different, we’ll always be brothers," Gerong said confidently, giving Ora a warm hug. Ora simply grinned, his small tail wagging happily. At that moment, no one knew that their fate would take them down a far more complicated path.
Years passed...
Ora and Gerong grew up as brothers, playing by the shores, running through the forests. But as time passed, their differences became more pronounced. Ora, once gentle, began to develop an aggressive side. While Gerong ate what the village provided, Ora craved something more primal.
"Epa," Wake whispered one evening as they watched Ora devour large portions of **rampi**, a rice made from Gebang fruit. "Ora’s nature... it’s changing. I fear he’s not like us."
Epa nodded solemnly, noticing that Ora had started preying on small animals around the village. The other villagers began to whisper among themselves.
One day, a villager approached Epa and Wake. "Ora has eaten my chickens!" he exclaimed. "We cannot let this go on. He is becoming a danger to all of us."
Despite their love for Ora, Epa and Wake knew they had to make a difficult decision. "We must let him go," Epa said, her voice breaking. "He belongs to the forest now."
Ora’s exile
With heavy hearts, the villagers escorted Ora to the edge of the forest. Gerong stood beside his lizard brother, tears streaming down his face.
"You’re still my brother, Ora," Gerong whispered. "No matter where you go."
Ora blinked slowly, as if understanding, before he slithered into the depths of the jungle. From that day forward, Ora lived in the wild, far from the village.
But Ora’s bond with his family, especially Gerong, never broke. Late at night, under the silver light of the moon, Ora would sneak back to visit his brother. The villagers, despite their fear, never harmed Ora. Over time, they came to understand that Ora was more than just a wild creature — he was family.
Generations passed…
The people of Komodo village never forgot Ora and Gerong. To outsiders, the Komodo dragons might seem like dangerous creatures, but to the villagers, they were more than that. The Komodo dragons were Ora’s descendants, family members who roamed the village freely, just as Ora once did.
During the annual ritual of 'aru gele', the villagers would pound the fruits of the Gebang tree, just as Ora had once eaten in his youth. The ritual honored Ora and Gerong’s parents and reminded everyone of the unbreakable bond between humans and the ancient Komodo dragons.
"Never forget," the village elder would say at the end of the ritual, "Ora was one of us. Just as the dragons who walk among us are our brothers and sisters, so too must we treat them with respect."
And so, to this day, the people of Komodo Island share their home with the ancient dragons, their bonds of kinship stronger than time itself.
Moral Message of the Story:
The story of Ora and Gerong teaches us the importance of respect, understanding, and harmony between humans and nature. Although Ora, the Komodo dragon, was different from the people in form and nature, he was still treated as family by his twin brother Gerong and the villagers. This mutual respect and care demonstrate that differences should not lead to fear or hostility but to coexistence and respect. Even when Ora’s nature turned aggressive, the people of Komodo found a way to live peacefully alongside him, honoring him as a brother and ancestor through rituals that strengthened their bond with nature.
This tale reminds us that every creature, no matter how different, has a place in the world. When we respect and protect the natural world, we preserve the balance and connection that sustains life for both humans and animals. The villagers' annual rituals symbolize their acknowledgment of the past and a continued commitment to living in harmony with the creatures that share their land.
The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), also known as the Komodo monitor, is a large species of lizard found on the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang, and Padar. In scientific literature, it is occasionally referred to as the Komodo monitor or Komodo Island monitor, although these terms are less commonly used. Among the natives of Komodo Island, the Komodo dragon is called ora, buaya darat (land crocodile), or biawak raksasa (giant monitor).
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