The next day the king called all his ministers and high officials together to the big hall. The false queen was also present. When everybody was seated, the king told them about Dewi Murti and Nikin, the true and false queen, and asked them what should be done.
Before anybody could say a word, the false queen cried out furiously, “That woman is lying. Let her prove that she’s the real Dewi Murti!”
Now Dewi Murti was called into the hall. Side by side the two Continue reading
“Mother, Mother, look what Kinantan has won for us!” he shouted joyfully.
Dewi Murti embraced her son with a smile of happiness.
Only then did she see there was somebody else standing in the doorway.
“Oh, my faithful Santo,” she said softly, “have you found us at last?”
Santo bowed respectfully. He too had immediately recognized the true queen in the woman standing in front of him, even though fifteen years had passed since they Continue reading
The king felt more and more interested in the boy and he decided to find out more about him. He called his favorite servant, Santo, and ordered him to follow Panjilaras to his home.
Santo himself was glad to do this. In his heart he was sure that Panjilaras was indeed the king’s son as the cock had revealed. But if his mother was Dewi Murti and she lived in the forest, who then was that woman who lived in the palace with the king? Santo had long since realized that ever since Continue reading
Attendants put Kinantan and one of the king’s strongest cocks in the middle of the circle. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd the fight began. It was a very short fight. Kinantan killed the king’s cock with a single bow. His strength amazed the king and the smile disappeared from the false queen’s lips.
“Bring my golden cock,” ordered the king.
A silence fell over the people. The golden cock was the strongest cock in the Continue reading
When the king heard about the strange cock, he was pleased. Apart from hunting, his greatest pleasure was watching cockfights. He owned many valuable cocks, the best that could be found in his country. Whenever he heard of somebody owning a powerful cock, the king always wanted that cock to fight against one of his own. And when the king’s cock lost, the king would always buy the winning cock at a high price.
So when the king heard about Panjilaras and his wondercock, he Continue reading
Early next morning, with Kinantan on his shoulder, Panjilaras went to town. He had promised his mother that he would not put himself in danger by telling the king and the false queen who he really was.
On the way they met their friend Tiger, who gave them a ride to the edge of the forest.
It was already noon when Panjilaras finally reached the town. How strange everything was to his eyes! The rows and rows of houses, the hundreds of people in the streets, the carts pulled by Continue reading
When Panjilaras came back two weeks later, he found a tiny chicken near the snake. The egg had hatched at last.
“There’s your chicken, my boy,” said the snake, “and I’d be greatly surprised if it doesn’t turn out to be a cock.”
“Thank you, Auntie Snake, you’re the most beautiful snake in the world,” laughed Panjilaras. Gathering the small creature in his hands, he left the snake and ran home to show his mother his new Continue reading
The years went by and the boy grew up, strong and healthy. True to their promise to the fairies, the wild animals were friendly toward mother and son. Panjilaras learnt their language; he played with them and talked to them. He jumped around from branch to branch with the chattering monkeys, while gathering sweet fruit for his mother. He rode on the tiger’s back, and enjoyed himself on hot days swimming in the cool river with his mother and their animal friends. And Dewi Murti thought Continue reading
Fortunately for Dewi Murti, the bottom of the ravine was overgrown with grass. Therefore, she did not die; in fact, she was not even hurt. But the walls of the ravine were very steep, so she could not get out. There she was, all alone in the deep forest, crying her heart out.
Several fairies who were playing in the trees above her heard her and when they discovered the helpless queen, they felt sorry for her. They flew down and carried her up.
When they heard Dewi Murti’s Continue reading
The queen was glad to have something to do until the king came back. She went out of the hut and joined Nikin.
“Do you like flowers?” asked the evil spirit. “I know a place where the most beautiful orchids grow.”
So the queen followed Nikin to the edge of a deep ravine, where many marvelous forest-orchids grew.
Dewi Murti thought the flowers were the most beautiful she had ever seen.
“I wish I could pick some,” she said.
Continue reading
