The Fairy Tale of Princess Mayang Sari from Kalimantan

Once Upon a Time

In the heart of the dense and mystical forests of Kalimantan, there was a small yet prosperous kingdom
ruled by a wise and just king. His pride and joy was his only daughter, Princess Mayang Sari, known
throughout the land for her extraordinary beauty and kind heart. Her kindness was as profound as her
love for nature and her people.

A Blossoming Love

One fine day, the tales of Princess Mayang Sari's beauty and grace reached the ears of a noble prince
from a neighboring kingdom, Prince Raden. Intrigued by the stories, Prince Raden decided to visit the
kingdom. Upon meeting Princess Mayang Sari, he was captivated by her charm, and she, in turn, was
taken by his noble spirit. They quickly fell in love and decided to unite their kingdoms through marriage.

A Wicked Curse

However, not all were pleased with their happiness. A wicked sorcerer, who had long harbored feelings
for Princess Mayang Sari, was consumed by jealousy. In a fit of rage, he cast a dark spell on Prince
Raden, transforming him into a majestic hornbill, a bird highly revered in Kalimantan. This curse not only
separated the lovers but also cast a shadow over the entire kingdom.

The Courageous Princess

Devastated but determined, Princess Mayang Sari set out on a perilous journey to break the curse and
save her beloved prince. Guided by her love and courage, she ventured deep into the enchanted forest,
seeking the wisdom of ancient spirits and the guardians of the forest. Along the way, she faced
numerous trials and challenges, but her unwavering love and bravery kept her going.
Breaking the Curse

After many trials, Princess Mayang Sari finally found the enchanted hornbill and recognized it as the
cursed Prince Raden. She learned from the forest spirits that the curse could only be broken by a pure
heart and an act of genuine selflessness. With all her love and compassion, she managed to perform the
necessary act, breaking the curse and restoring Prince Raden to his human form.

Happily Ever After

Reunited, Princess Mayang Sari and Prince Raden returned to their kingdom, where they were
welcomed with joyous celebrations. Their love and union not only brought peace and prosperity to their
people but also became a timeless legend. Their story of true love, courage, and perseverance was
passed down from generation to generation, inspiring all who heard it.
"The Origin of Lake Sentarum":

In ancient times, in the interior of Kalimantan, there was a very wide and beautiful lake called Lake
Sentarum. That said, this lake has a very interesting origin.

It is said that a long time ago, the area around Lake Sentarum was hit by a very severe drought. The soil
becomes cracked and plants wither due to lack of water. Villagers living around the lake feel hopeless
because of the situation.

One day, a wise old woman came to the village and told the residents that the answer to the drought
problem lay in the lake. The old grandmother said that at the bottom of the lake there was a water
goddess who had the power to restore life to the area.

Without hesitation, a group of brave young men decided to look for the water goddess. They dive into
the lake and find a secret cave at the bottom of the lake. In the cave, they met a beautiful and kind
water goddess.

The goddess of water gave them a magic flower which had to be planted in the center of the village.
These flowers will release abundant water and revive the barren land. The young people enthusiastically
brought the magic flower to the village.

After a magical flower was planted in the middle of the village, water suddenly started flowing from the
flower and flooded the entire village. The barren land became fertile and green again. The villagers were
grateful for the miracle that had occurred and they lived in prosperity around the beautiful Lake
Sentarum.

Since then, the villagers have believed that Lake Sentarum is a source of life blessed by the goddess of
water. They looked after the lake with great care as a sign of gratitude for the miracle they experienced.

That is the story about the origin of Lake Sentarum, a folk tale that teaches about the wonders of nature
and the importance of protecting the environment.
Princess Laiamon and Crocodile

(a folktale from Kalimantan)

Laiamon was the daughter of Dayak chief. One day, she went to the river to take a bath. She was
swimming when a crocodile held her leg.

a folktale from Kalimantan

“Oh, please don’t eat me!” cried Laiamon.

“Hohoho!” laughed the crocodile. “I won’t let you go. I like eating pretty girls very much.”

Laiamon was aclever girl. She then said, “My father is a chief. He is a rich man. He will give you anything
you want if you set me free.”

a folktale from Kalimantan

“Is it?” asked the crocodile.

“Yes,” replied princess Laiamon.

“OK,” said the crocodile, “tell your father to give me a baby to eat every day.”

a folktale from Kalimantan

The crocodile let Laiamon go. Quickly, Laiamon swam to the river bank and went home. She told what
she had experienced to her father. Her father then called his people to discuss what the crocodile had
asked.

a folktale from Kalimantan

The next day, the chief and his people went to the river. They bought a pig for the crocodile.

“Good morning, Crocodile,” said the chief.

“Do you bring a baby for me?” asked the crocodile.

“We have no babies in the village,” said the chief, “we can only give you a pig this time.”

“Don’t lie to me!” the crocodile shanted.

a folktale from Kalimantan

“Of course not. If there is a baby in the village, we will bring it to you. Now, please take this pig.”
“All right,” said the crocodile.

The chief threw the pig into the river. The crocodile quickly ate the pig.

a folktale from Kalimantan

“Hmmm, it’s very delicious!” said the crocodile. Not long after that, this creature’s stomach ached. It
moaned and groaned. Then it died.

a folktale from Kalimantan

“Father, how did you kill the crocodile?” asked Laiamon.

“We have filled the pig with poison,” said the chief. “This creature had killed many people. I’m proud of
you, Laiamon. You could get away from the crocodile. Remember my daughter, if you are brave, you can
beat evil things.”
### **The Legend of Si Jampang and the White Tiger**

In a small village in Kalimantan, there lived a young man named Si Jampang. He was known as a skilled
and courageous hunter, but his bravery was not only due to his hunting skills but also because he
possessed a magical talisman passed down from his grandfather.

One day, while Si Jampang was hunting in the dense forest, he heard a thunderous roar. As he
approached the source of the sound, he saw a giant white tiger rampaging through the woods. The
white tiger was infamous in the village as a supernatural being that could not be defeated by anyone.

News of the white tiger had spread throughout the village, and many villagers were terrified. They
believed the tiger was an incarnation of an evil spirit intent on destroying their village. However, Si
Jampang was unafraid. Armed with his precious talisman, he decided to confront the white tiger.

When Si Jampang faced the white tiger, he found that the tiger possessed immense supernatural power.
Despite this, Si Jampang stood firm. Using his talisman, he managed to counteract the tiger’s magical
abilities and neutralize its power.

After a fierce battle, Si Jampang ultimately subdued the white tiger. However, he did not kill it. Instead,
he neutralized its powers and made it harmless. Si Jampang realized that the white tiger was not an evil
spirit but rather a protective spirit of the forest that had been misunderstood.

From that day on, peace reigned in the village and the surrounding forest. Si Jampang became a hero in
the village, and his story of bravery and understanding was passed down through generations. The white
tiger came to symbolize protection and harmony between humans and nature.

The tale of Si Jampang and the White Tiger teaches us that true courage is not just about physical
strength but also about understanding and respecting other beings and maintaining the balance of
nature.

The Tale of the Enchanted River

Jaya was a kind and honest man who always shared his catch with the less fortunate. One day, he heard
the village elders talk about the river's magical powers and decided to test its legend. With a heart full of
hope, Jaya approached the river and made a sincere wish for his village to prosper and for everyone to
live in harmony.

To his amazement, the water began to shimmer and a gentle voice spoke from the river, telling Jaya that
his wish had been heard. The voice instructed him to return to the river the next day with a gift for the
spirits of the water. Jaya, grateful and eager, spent the night preparing a beautiful offering of fruits and
flowers.

The next day, he returned to the river with his gift. As he placed the offering into the water, the river
responded with a burst of sparkling light. From that moment on, the river's magic began to work. The
village flourished with abundant crops, fish, and harmony among its people.

Word of the river's blessings spread, and people from neighboring villages came to witness its wonders.
They learned about Jaya’s selfless act and how the river's magic was tied to the purity of one's
intentions. The river remained a symbol of hope and benevolence, teaching that kindness and sincerity
could bring about profound change.

Jaya’s story was passed down through generations, and the enchanted river continued to be a source of
inspiration for those who believed in the power of goodness and the magic of giving.