On the bank of a river in the Rarasati forest, Sumantri seems to have woken from a dream. Is he really a warlord? He feels that he has no experience, but suddenly finds himself is in such a noble degree. Even though he has not proven any abilities he is already considered to have extraordinary advantages, to the point he is now trusted to be the commander in chief. He cannot be proud of himself because it all seems just a coincidence. And this coincidence will only become true if later he really has a triumphant victory on the battlefield. But is it possible for him to gain this victory? It is possible that later only death will pick him, because this coincidence will turn out that he does not contain any power.
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> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (70)
> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (69)
> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (68)
Sumantri feels as though he has been deceived by his ideals. Even though he himself does not know where he got the ideals in the first place. He begins to feel that being a knight is just torturing. It is more beautiful and happier to imagine his life in Jatisrana. But it is impossible to turn back time. He cannot walk backwards, no matter how he misses Jatisrana. He has to go to Magada immediately. And this makes the beautiful night only fill him with a sense of sadness. The burbling of water in the river of Rarasati forest is the sound of his aching heart.
"My older brother!" This voice startles him in the midst of his sadness, and when he turns he sees Sukrosono is already beside him. He is silent for a moment, not expecting his younger brother to come so suddenly. But soon he hugs his younger brother tightly.
"Sukrosono, forgive me," he says sadly.
"I'm always looking for you, my older brother. I can't stop following you. You promised I could be with you again, if you were accepted to serve in Maespati. Now your ideals have come true. You have even been appointed a warlord in Maespati. May I follow you now?" Sukrosono says.
"That's right, Sukrosono. But my job isn't done yet. I could fail in my duty and lose the battle in Magada."
Sukrosono feels that his brother has not only avoided answering his question, but is also not ready to accept him.
“My older brother, I know you are ashamed to accept me. I'm willing to accept that. But why must you lie to me?”
Sumantri is silent. He seems to not want to answer anymore. Sukrosono knows himself. He does not want to push him anymore. He even feels guilty about himself, if he still wants to impose his will. He remembers his intentions, when he was lied to by his older brother and left for the second time in a lonely forest. There he had the determination, whatever his older brother's attitude, he would accept it, and still want to love him to the end. He considers that his older brother's rejection at that time was a test for him, whether he wanted to be sincere and loyal to his love. He knows his love will continue to be tested with the sadness that he will surely experience. He does not want to give up, so he does not want to lose hope. He continues to follow where his older brother goes, until he finally finds him again in this position.
So there is nothing left in his memory, except his desire to return to the most beautiful moments with his older brother in Jatisrana.
And here, on the bank of the river in Rarasati forest it is proven that he has been rejected by his brother again. So he does not want to indulge his desires anymore. He just wants to forget it all. Now, he knows, he is with his brother. It is not known whether this opportunity will come again, so he just wants to enjoy what he can now enjoy. Even though it is only this night, he feels grateful he can be with his older brother and enjoy his elder brother's love. He suddenly feels, who knows, that tonight is the only time where he can enjoy life with his older brother. So there is nothing left in his memory, except his desire to return to the most beautiful moments with his older brother in Jatisrana.
"My older brother, look the moon is shining like when the two of us were playing in the valley beside the Jatisrana river. Will you sing me the song Swing the Moon again?” Sukrosono asks resignedly.
So, while looking at the light in the distance, he sings Swing the Moon.
"Of course, my younger brother. The moon invites both of us to forget everything, and just wants us to feel again what was beautiful when we were in Jatisrana,” says Sumantri. He is surprised, his younger brother no longer asks for or demands his promise to be allowed to follow him. He knows that his younger brother has deliberately forgotten about it so as not to bother him anymore. He is touched by his younger brother’s willingness. Because of that, he forgets everything. He does not remember that he is Maespati's warlord. He is Sumantri, who with his younger brother spent very happy days in Jatisrana. So, while looking at the light in the distance, he sings Swing the Moon.
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> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon-67
> The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon (66)
Only children can swing the moon because the moon is light, as light as the hearts of children who cheerfully play at night. For the children the moon never hides itself. People see only half of it, but children see the moon is always full. The moon is always round, as round as the happy hearts of the children. People cannot see the full moon, because being limited to the small area of their thoughts narrows life into pieces of sadness. Sleep, my younger brother, sleep, the moon loves you. Behold, the moon cradles you, and swings you like a mother.
As before, every time he hears his brother's voice, Sukrosono does not have to wait long to be able to close his eyes. He falls asleep on Sumantri's lap. He dreams of going up to the moon. There he sees the moon, not one but a thousand. He can play as he pleases. He throws the moon like a ball. And he feels as though his sadness is removed piece by piece. How light is the burden of life, if one can hold the moon like a ball? The moon can even be brought down to Jatisrana. He gives the moon to his older brother, so that his older brother can play with the moon like him. Sukrosono smiles. His smile makes him not like a demon child. Sumantri is surprised to see his younger brother with a full moon face.
(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo).
