Keong Mas -The Golden Snail (1) by Ken Kendro

Dibawah cerita jaman dulu abad 13, yang eyang K tulis untuk teman2 di international gamelan list. Bahasa Inggrisnya model Tarzan. Terutama untuk temen2 Jawa asal Jawa Timur.

Sayang kalau cerita ini hilang dari permukaan bumi.

Keong Mas -The Golden Snail

King Kertamerta of Daha was at work in his royal office in the palace.

He just accepted Raden Inu Kertaparti son of the Governor of Jenggala Kahuripan,

his marriage proposal, to marry his daughter Candra Kirana.

He was excited because Daha will be politically stronger. Their alliance will deter Blambangan,

Tumapel, Tuban, Gresik, and other areas to revolt against him.

So he called his messenger. He wrote a short message in beautiful Javanese script that look like beansprouts.

King Kertamerta said to his messenger: "Bring this message to the queen, and do not let anyone see this message.

ASAP or I chopped your head off."

Quick like lightning the messenger run to the "gedong kuning" (Yellow pavilion), the residential area in the

palace compound. He gave the note to the queen. The note said, dinner tonight. only the two of us, send the girls out.

Immediately her majesty queen Kertamerta, name unknown,

(a bunch of male chauvinist pigs that time, women got married their names were erased from the face of the earth)

called their two princesses. Princess Galuh Ajeng, about 20, regular, not too pretty, and not too ugly.

The other Princess Candra Kirana, about 18, very beautiful. Miss Universe class.

The king and queen used to tease each other.

The King: "Are you sure Galuh Ajeng is MY daughter." The queen: "I am not sure, YOU are Candra Kirana daddy."

When the two princesses appeared in front of the queen, the queen said: " Here is some money twenty reyals for each of you.

Papa and mama have some kingdom business to discuss at dinner time. You two go out, with chaperones, please,

go to the mall, eat at Royal Hawaiian Hotel dining hall, see a movie or something. Be home by 11:00 pm.

Galuh Ajeng and Candra Kirana yelled of joy:" yahoo, arigatoo mama san."

Dinner was served. The two princesses were out.

King Kertamerta: " mBok Ratu (mama the Queen). I have good news for you.

I accepted Raden Inu Kertapati marriage proposal, he will be our son in law.

The Kingdom of Daha will be super strong with backing from Jengala Kahuripan.

Tax collections from Blambangan, Tumapel, Tuban, Gresik will be smooth like a new BMW on an autobahn.

Daha will be rich, rich, rich"

Queen : " Sinuwun (His highness), that is just great. Let's drink to that, Viva Daha."

King Kertamerta: " I am glad you agree mBok Ratu."

Queen :" And when is the wedding? Galuh Ajeng will be very happy. She will be the next queen of Daha, and Raden Inu Kertapati

will be her prince. Let us drink to that, viva Galuh Ajeng."

King Kertamerta surprised: " Stop stop stop, no, no, no. I accepted his marriage proposal with Candra Kirana, not Galuh Ajeng,"

Queen Kertamerta felt like a truck-full of ice cubes fall on her head. She gasped several times, Then say.

Queen:" Oh noo Sinuwun, please no. Not Candra Kirana, it has to be Gaul Ajeng. If you go ahead with this plan,

we all be dead ducks."

King Kertamerta, confused: " What is wrong with Candra Kirana and Raden Inu Kertapati?"

Queen: " Sinuwun, please drink your cup of kopi tubruk (instant), no cream no sugar, plain black. Wake up, and listen to me

good, with both ears. When our two girls were small, we made a big "ruwatan (ritual performance)

to prevent Lord Kale to eat those girls. There are two girls in a household, the Javanese call it "Kembang

Sepasang" (a pair of flowers), that is a no no according to the Kala law.

Lord Kala is permitted to eat those girls according to Lord Guru.

Because our ritual performance was extra ordinary, Lord Kala forgave us, the two girls are save.

And we promise him not to break any of his law again, The next one, there will be no forgiveness.

Now look at you, you will let the younger girl marry first, and the older one later?

That is "Kidang mlumpat" (jumping deer) . Another Kala law that we can not break. We will be eaten by Lord Kala.

I realy dont want to be stir fried with mushroom, onion, asparages, and soyu sauce, in a great wok, by Lord Kala.

Have mercy on me, please please cancell your plan.

Please please save us Sinuwun."

Part 2 will follow