I Lutung Teken I Kakua

Loyalty Beneath the Banana Tree: A Balinese Folklore of Friendship and Sacrifice

Edisi Indonesia:  I Lutung Teken I Kakua

Folklore from Bali

Once upon a time, in a dense forest, lived two friends: Lutung, the langur, who loved to joke around, and Kakua, the wise tortoise. One day, Lutung was sitting under a wooden tree, complaining about the difficulty of finding food during the rainy season.

“Ah, Kakua! My life is so hard! For days, I’ve only been able to eat dry leaves. I long to taste the sweetness of bananas!” lamented Lutung, furrowing his brow dramatically.

Kakua, hearing this, felt pity for his starving friend. “Calm down, Lutung. The rainy season is indeed tough, but we can surely find a solution,” replied Kakua in a calm tone.

“But where? I’ve searched all around the forest and found nothing!” Lutung replied, feeling hopeless.

Kakua thought for a moment and then said, “I heard there’s a hut across the river filled with ripe banana trees. Maybe we can go there.”

“Banana trees!?” Lutung’s eyes sparkled with hope. “But how will we cross that wide river? I can’t swim!”

Kakua felt hesitant and replied, “It is indeed difficult, but we can work together. If you help me find three bananas, I’ll carry you across the river.”

“Two bananas for you and one for me, deal?” Lutung offered enthusiastically.

“Deal! Let’s go!” Kakua exclaimed, excited.

They both crossed the river, with Kakua carrying Lutung on his back. Once they reached the hut, Lutung immediately climbed the banana tree and greedily ate two bananas, leaving the peels for Kakua.

“Lutung, don’t eat them all! Remember, we should share!”** shouted Kakua from below, worried.

It turned out that the hut wasn’t empty; its owner, Grandpa Perodong, appeared angrily, **“Who dares to steal my bananas!? Come back here!”

Kakua, frightened, quickly hid under the banana tree, while Lutung, too engrossed in eating the bananas, didn’t realize the danger lurking nearby.

“Oh no, Kakua! I’m so hungry!” Lutung shouted, astonished when he saw Grandpa Perodong approaching with his spear.

“Lutung, hurry down! We need to leave now!” Kakua shouted, his voice filled with panic.

But Lutung didn’t hear, “Wait a moment! I just want one more banana…”

Finally, Grandpa Perodong attacked Lutung with his spear. “You will pay for what you’ve taken!” he shouted. Lutung died, and his body was dragged into the hut.

Kakua emerged from his hiding place, feeling very sad. “Why didn’t you listen to me, my friend? We could have shared this food together,” he said, crying.

Moral Message: Loyalty and Honesty

This story serves as a lesson for anyone who deceives their friends and does not keep their promises. Loyalty and honesty are always important in friendship.

Amongst the Banana Groves