Mouse deer and Tokay Gecko

Kancil's Astute Lesson: Outsmarting the Culprit

Edisi Indonesia: Kancil dan Cicak Badung

The Tale of Kancil (Mouse deer) and Cicak Badung (Tokay gecko)

Once upon a time, on the edge of a lush forest, there existed a small trench where Kancil often gathered with a colony of ants. On a bright sunny day, Kancil and the industrious ants were enjoying the weather when they spotted a shiny red apple hanging over the river.

The ants asked for Kancil's help to cut the apple into smaller pieces for their convenience. However, as the ants were delighting in the apple, Cicak Badung suddenly appeared and greedily snatched a large chunk of it.

The ants were shocked and accused Cicak of being a thief. Upon hearing their outcry, Kancil devised a plan to retrieve what rightfully belonged to the ants. 

Craftily, Kancil gathered a handful of tiny red fruits and laid out a plan. Although the ants found the plan amusing and laughed it off, the continuous thieving habits of Cicak convinced them to agree to Kancil’s plan.

The next day, the industrious ants left some remaining apple by the trench and none stood guard. Witnessing this, Cicak hurriedly seized the leftovers.

Rather than getting angry, the ants burst into gleeful laughter. This roused suspicion in Cicak's mind, leading it to eavesdrop on the ants who were discussing strategies with Kancil.

"Kancil, was the fruit we set out for Cicak earlier not chili?" queried one of the ants.

Kancil replied that the fruit taken by Cicak wasn't chili. He explained that had Cicak listened to the laughter and realized it was chili, it wouldn't have eaten it. Because Cicak doesn't fancy chili and would've stolen another fruit instead.

Thus, the fruit prepared by Kancil for Cicak to steal was a strawberry. If Cicak became satiated and fell asleep after eating it, then Cicak wouldn't steal the ants' food again.

Kancil assured that the next day, it would bring a basket of strawberries to Cicak's place and advise it not to steal anymore.

Cicak overheard this conversation and cried silently, repenting its actions.

Teaching Responsibility through Cunning Guidance

The moral of this tale about Kancil and Cicak Badung is that there are various ways to halt someone's wrongdoing without directly offending them. Just as Kancil restored awareness to Cicak Badung without directly offending its feelings.