The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (64)

“Sukrosono, you must obey my orders. Go back to Jatisrana now, until I come back for you later," Sumantri snaps loudly.

"My older brother, don't be ashamed of me. Believe me, you will still be able to achieve your objectives, without necessarily having to leave me. I won't bother you, my older brother," Sukrosono pleads with a voice that becomes increasingly pitiful.

"No, Sukrosono, go home now. Otherwise…," Sumantri commands louder. And as if without realizing it, he grabs the Cakrabaskara gandewa (bow) and brandishes it at his younger brother. "Follow my orders, otherwise don't blame me, if this Cakrabaskara hits you," Sumantri threatens.

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“My older brother, why have you turned so cruel to me? Why are you so bold to treat me so?” Sukrosono pleads, and he can no longer hold back his tears. But before he can ask for mercy again, Sumantri has swung the Cakrabaskara gandewa, an heirloom given to him by their father. And Sukrosono falls down. “My older brother…,” that is his cry, before he falls unconscious from the blow of the Cakrabaskara gandewa.

This time, too, all of his supernatural powers are silenced by the surrender of love.

Sukrosono has multiple extraordinary supernatural powers. But in front of his older brother, he never shows his superiority. He feels he is just a younger brother who needs his older brother's love. And he also wants to love his older brother wholly with his being. He feels that love does not demand anything but love itself. So deep has love permeated him, until for the sake of love he is willing to become weak and helpless. This time, too, all of his supernatural powers are silenced by the surrender of love. He does not defend himself at all with his strengths when the Cakrabaskara gandewa hits his body. He really falls into unconsciousness.

Sumantri is surprised to see his younger brother lying helpless. He does not think that the power of Cakrabaskara gandewa that he hit his younger brother’s body with was so mighty. He feels sorrow and hugs Sukrosono tight.

"You should not die, my younger brother," shouts Sumantri, shaking his younger brother's body. And he cries uncontrollably, afraid of losing him. "Forgive your older brother, Sukrosono," laments Sumantri while holding his younger brother's head. Sukrosono is unconscious for a long time. And Sumantri thinks this younger brother will die. He sinks into sadness.

The early evening is about to enter sunset. The wind blows slowly. Sumantri strokes his younger brother's head while looking at the birds flying back to their nests. It suddenly seems as though Maespati is far away as he imagines the birds coming home to find warmth in their nests. Why should I go to Maespati, when in Jatisrana I have had immeasurable peace and happiness? The way back to Jatisrana is very clear. And that road is the path of happiness. Meanwhile, the road to Maespati is so dim. And the road there is a path of sorrow, as he must now experience. He suddenly feels his goal is an unbearable burden. He simply wants to take it off. With sad eyes, he looks at his younger brother who

has not yet reached consciousness. He does not know what to do. Meanwhile in the trees, the birds chirp happily because they have gathered again in their nests. His memories are carried back to his native land. Unintentionally, while stroking Sukrosono's head lying on his lap, he sings a song about the kepodang (oriole) bird, his younger brother's favorite song in Jatisrana.

Why did he break his promise? He feels sorry about that, and the more melodious he sings the song of the kepodang bird.

"Behold, there is a kepodang bird, my younger brother, with a red beak, yellow feet, sleep my younger brother, sleep." He thinks back to his sweet voice, every time he sings the song, when Sukrosono is lying on his lap. He remembers Sukrosono's words, the sound of the kepodang bird is the voice of his heart that does not want to be separated from his older brother. And he is reminded, it was he himself who promised not to leave his younger brother. Why did he break his promise? He feels sorry about that, and the more melodious he sings the song of the kepodang bird.

He is surprised to see his younger brother’s eyes start to flicker. It seems that Sukrosono is about to regain consciousness. Sumantri feels that this is happening because he hears the song of the kepodang bird he is singing, so he repeats the song again, now with a louder and more melodious voice. Sukrosono really begins to gain consciousness, and the first thing he shows is his charming smile.

"Sukrosono, wake up, wake up my younger brother," shouts Sumantri happily.

"My older brother, don't leave me again," Sukrosono pleads as soon as he is fully awake. It seems he is not angry. He even seems not to remember what has just happened to him. He appears to have forgotten his older brother's cruel treatment. Sumantri feels it. He is astonished at how his younger brother's heart is fully filled with forgiveness and absolution, so that there is not even the slightest room for feelings of disappointment or anger at his cruel treatment. Sumantri increasingly feels guilty in front of a heart whose forgiveness is as limitless as the ocean.

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"I gained my consciousness again, when I heard your song. Look at the kepodang bird, my older brother," says Sukrosono, "it was the kepodang bird that gave me the direction to go home, until I found you again in the bamboo reed shower in Jatisrana. Hearing your song, it feels as though the two of us are back in Jatisrana."

"Sukrosono, forgive your older brother. We will definitely go back to Jatisrana, my younger brother," says Sumantri.

"There is no need for you to think about going back to Jatisrana with me, my older brother. Let you go to Maespati as long as you want to take me with you. Indeed, there I will hide myself, so that you are not disturbed by my presence. I just want to meet you, any time I can, without anyone knowing."

(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo).