Kweiya

Kweiya: The Tale of a Bird and the Wisdom of Forgiveness

Edisi Indonesia: Kweiya

Folklore from Papua

In a remote village nestled in the Fak Fak Mountains, resided a woman and her loyal dog. One day, amidst the dense foliage, they stumbled upon a mysterious red fruit. Upon slicing it open, they were surprised to discover a tiny baby nestled inside. Without hesitation, the woman embraced the infant and named him Kweiya.

Kweiya grew into a dutiful child, brimming with enthusiasm for aiding others. However, his benevolence sparked jealousy in the hearts of the family's twins, Pohak and Nggein. When their parents were away, Pohak and Nggein subjected Kweiya to cruel treatment.

Hurt and sorrowful, Kweiya crafted wings from tree bark in secret. Upon Father and Mama's return, Kweiya donned the wings and transformed into a stunning bird. Captivated by this miraculous sight, Pohak and Nggein unwittingly turned themselves into black birds through an altercation using black ash from the fire pit.

Realizing their misdeeds, the black birds, Pohak and Nggein, sought out Kweiya. However, they found Kweiya captured by a hunter. Swiftly, they freed Kweiya from the hunter's clutches and expressed remorse.

Through the same magic, Pohak and Nggein regained their avian forms, this time as resplendent, colorful birds. Together, they soared through the skies, reveling in newfound liberty, carrying a message of peace and forgiveness.

Moral Message: Forgiveness and Learning from Mistakes

The moral of this story underscores the significance of forgiveness and gleaning wisdom from one's mistakes. It exemplifies how kindness, forgiveness, and learning from errors are instrumental in fostering peace and harmony. Additionally, it highlights the perils of envy and the necessity to respect each individual's uniqueness and differences.