KEONG EMAS [THE GOLDEN SNAIL]

In Daha Palace, there were two beautiful princesses, named Candra Kirana and Dewi Galuh. Both of them lived happily and belonged to a well-to-do [prosperous] king family.

One day, a very handsome prince coming from Kahuripan Palace, named Raden Inu Kertapati, had been visiting Daha Palace. His purpose of coming to Daha Palace was to ask for Candra Kirana in marriage. He was warmly welcomed by Emperor Kertamerta [Raja Kertamerta], and after some time, Candra Kirana was betrothed/affianced/engaged by Raden Inu Kertapati.

This engagement, in fact, made Dewi Galuh envious because she felt that Raden Inu Kertapati [matched an] was suitable for her. For that reason, Dewi Galuh went to an old sorceress. She asked the sorceress to practice her black magic on Candra Kirana to be a girl that was very disgusting and expelled [exiled/droven away/casted out of] from Raden Inu. The sorceress agreed with her request. She practiced her black magic on Candra Kirana to be a golden snail [keong emas], then she throwed it away on a river.

One day, a very old woman searched for fish by net, and the golden snail was picked up in her net. She brought it home and placed it in a large water jar. On the next day, again, the woman searched for fish in a river, but she got no fish at all. Then, she decided to go back home. Reaching at home, she was very surprised finding some kinds of delicious meal on the dinner table. She asked for herself,”Who has cooked such delicious meals?”.

This happened as well on the next days. She then peeped at what actually happened when she was going to find fish. She pretended to go to the river as usual, then she went to the rear side of her house to peep at inside. After several minutes, she was very surprised as the golden snail inside the large water jar changed to be a very beautiful girl. The girl then cooked and served the meals on the table. Because the old lady was very anxious and curious, she made herself brave to address the beautiful girl. “Who are you, the beautiful young lady, and where are you from?” asked the very old lady. “I am the Princess of Daha Palace. My sibling is envious of me and she asked a sorceress to practice her black magic on me”, said the golden snail. After answering the old lady’s questions, Candra Kirana turned to be a Golden Snail, and the old lady was surprised all over again.

On the other side, Raden Inu Kertapati endeavoured to seek out Candra Kirana who had disappeared for a long time. He disguised as a common people. The sorceress finally knew and changed herself to be a crow to bring misfortune on [bring about the downfall of] Raden Inu Kertapati. He was very surprised as he came across a crow speaking and knowing his purpose. He considered that the crown had a divine power. The bird deceived by perverting [leading astray/depraving] him. On the way, he met a very old man that was very starving. Raden passed him something to eat. The very old man was in fact a kind-hearted person who had a divine power. He helped Inu from the wicked crow.

The man hit the crow by a pole, and it turned to be smog. Then, the man notified Raden Inu where Chandra Kirana was. He asked Raden Inu to go to Dadapan Village. After walking for days, Raden Inu reached the Dadapan Village. He saw and approached an old house. He asked for some water as his supply was gone. In this house, he was very surprised, because in the back of the window, he saw Candra Kirana cooking. At last, the black magic which the sorceress practiced on Raden Inu was gone due to this reunion. Raden Inu picked his fiancée and the very old lady who had been taking care of her up to Daha Palace. Arriving at the palace, Candra Kirana told Raja Kertamerta about what Dewi Galuh had done.

The king made an apology to Candra Kirana. On the other hand, Dewi Galuh got punished. Since she was very scared, she ran away to the wood. Candra Kirana and Raden Inu got married in a very marvelous wedding party. They lived blissfully for good.

Rembang, April 6, 2010
By Nanik