Filled with happiness, Begawan Swandagni immediately approaches the banana tree. He is relieved to see that the tree is not as tall as he thought, and the banana is still within reach. He stretches out his hand, about to take the fruit. But unexpectedly, the tree seems to rise, and he can no longer reach it. Begawan Swandagni is confused, the banana he wants is now at a great height, high beyond his reach.
“Swandagni, have you examined your heart? It is impossible for you to pick the fruit with the height of your heart. Be humble and let go of yourself to the richness of the banana tree,” said Dewi Luhwati.
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> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (12)
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> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (9)
Begawan Swandagni is awakened by the reprimand. He bows down to pay respect, and lowers himself in front of the banana tree. He tries to empty himself and feel the richness of it. The wind blows against its leaves, making them move slowly. Their movement seem to want to tell him who the tree really is, and what its secret is. Begawan Swandagni feels that the banana tree is starting to speak.
“Swandagni, like other banana trees, I only grow for the sake of the fruit I have to bear. A long time have I waited for my fruit to grow, and I am willing that you pick my fruit now." is how Begawan Swandagni catches the banana tree’s words with the ear of his heart.
And Begawan Swandagni dares himself to ask, "Will you, like other banana trees, die after you give me your fruit?"
"No, I\'m not like common banana trees. Whether I will live or die depends on you. I\'m willing to die, if you treat my fruit like Dewi Luhwati\'s message. But I will live, if you don\'t treat my fruit by violating her message. Can you keep my words?" so the banana tree asked.
"For the sake of the love for my wife, of course I am ready to accept it," replied Begawan Swandagni.
"If this is so, pick this fruit of mine immediately."
Trembling, Begawan Swandagni plucks the banana. He is taken aback, because as soon as the fruit is picked, everything turns pitch black. He cannot see anything. He cannot even see the banana in his hand. He can only feel his hand gripping something. Fortunately, this complete darkness almost immediately disappears. The night becomes bright again. The peak of the mountain that was like a flower garden now turns to an empty plain without any beauty. The only thing left and visible is the banana tree which is now no longer without its fruit. Begawan Swandagni looks to the left and right, looking for Dewi Luhwati. But wherever his eyes go, he cannot find her again.
Where is the beautiful goddess who has helped him? Why does she also suddenly disappear, after he gets the banana that his wife desires? Shouldn\'t I be thanking her? Why can\'t I find her? Is how Begawan Swandagni repeatedly asks in his heart. There is no answer to these questions. The only answer is simple: now the golden banana his wife wants is in his hands. Isn\'t this the banana he wants to find? There is no need to speculate on what he cannot answer. From the east, a reddish glow appears. The sign of dawn coming. Begawan Swandagni immediately leaves Mount Taranggana Sekar.
He is in a rush to get home. His footsteps are fast and light. He is afraid that the light of dawn will disappear, and things will turn dark, as happened on the peak of Mount Taranggana Sekar. He does not want to have the thought about the darkness. So he increasingly quickens his steps, and hopes that he will soon see the morning sun at the foot of the hill. He himself feels strange – why is he now so afraid of the dark? On the leaves of the trees, the dew looks fresh. He is relieved, the morning laughs to greet him with the bright rays of the sun, when his feet step on the foot of Mount Taranggana Sekar.
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> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (6)
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For a moment Begawan Swandagni takes shelter under them. His eyes stare far away. It turns out that in front of him there is a road, on the sides of which grow many angsana trees. Begawan Swandagni feels confident, he has to go that way. He hurries, passing the angsana trees. The leaves of the trees move weakly, as if they want to make a sound, how come the longing will not lead you home. And therefore Begawan Swandagni walks along the path of the longing.
(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo).
