Tom and Terra

Tom and Terra

(B. D. Sharma)

Tom and Terra lived together.

They sang and sang in fine weather.

They were two young grasshoppers.

In fun and frolic they were toppers.

Then was over summer and heat.

They had nothing at all to eat.

They cried and sighed,

then  went to an ant and begged for food.

The ant said, “I can’t give you anything.

But tell my why

you didn’t for winter some food lay by.”

The grasshoppers had this to say:

“We sang and sang we were gay*⁾.”

The wise ant had to say:

“You sang in summer, now sang winter away.”

“We ants neither lend nor borroww.

While enjoying today we think of tomorrow.”

Tom and Terra had to return.

Though too late, they learnt a lesson.

 *gay = cheerful

Source: Soni English Reader

Taken from:  Let’s Talk IX, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indonesia Folklore

THE STORY OF NYAI DASIMA

                       

            In the era of General Raffless’ Government in Tangerang, West Java, there was a beautiful young village girl. Her name was Nyai Dasima. She worked for the Edward. Mr. Edward sent her to Mrs. Bennet to learn cooking and sewing. Dasima was a very diligent. She could cook and sew very well.

            One day, Dasima was in Mrs. Bennet’s home and learning sewing. They were talking. Mrs. Bennet said to Dasima that Mr. Edward loved her so much.

            Time went by, Mr. Edward and Dasima live together. Finally they got married. Dasima became an modern European woman. Yet, it was difficult for Dasima to be an European woman because sometimes she behaved like an ordinary village girl. Three years later they got a daughter, named Nancy. She completed Edward’s family and added much love.

            Ten years later Mr. Edward and his family moved to Batavia.  Their neighbors admired Dasima’s beauty and behavior. But, there was Samiun, one of their neighbors that fell in love with Dasima. Samiun is native Betawi. He wanted to broke Mr. Edward’s family then marry to Dasima for money and wealth.

Samiun tought that Dasima is a rich girl. He was looking for how was the best to get Dasima from Edward. In the next day he went to Mak Buyung to get some help. Mak Buyung was selling vegetables. She always visited Dasima’s home everyday. In that situation, Mak Buyung told Dasima about Samiun. She persuaded Dasima to marry with Samiun and leave Mr. Edward.

Unfortunately, Dasima could be persuaded by Mak Buyung. Samiun’s mission was success. Of course, Mr Edward and Nancy became so sad. Dasima leaved Mr. Edward then got married with Samiun.

In fact, Samiun only wanted Dasima’s wealth. He didn’t love Dasima. Actually Samiun has already had a wife, Hayati and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Soleha. Both of thewm were greedy. They asked Samiun for the gold, bracelet, necklace, clothes, and many more.

Samiun expected that Dasima still saved precious things in a place. Therefore, He ordered Bang Puasa to kill Dasima. That was an awkward moment.

Samiun looked so confused. A few hours later, some policemen took Samiun and Bang Puasa to the Police Station. They were sentenced to death. Mak Buyung, Hayati, and Mrs. Soleha were sentenced for five years.

 

Summarized by A Rachma D.

Source :

The title of the book : The Story of Nyai Dasima

Retold by : Slamet Riyanto

Publisher : Pustaka Pelajar

Publishment : January 2009

Number of pages : 80 pages

Go to Wellspring

These photos were taken when I was in second year of Junior High School.

Me and my beloved friends went there together. We really enjoyed our cheerful adventure.

look at the pic. how pure it is !

mini waterfall

*almost all  the photos had been deleted