The Legend of Gunung Senyum (Short Story)

The Legend of Gunung Senyum

Long time ago there live a young guy called Pak Lah. He is a guy with good manner. One of his hobbies is captivating bird in the jungle.

One day he goes to the jungle to catch some bird. He whistles and capture them. Unbeknownst to him, a magical creature is watching him from afar. The creature changes its appearance into a bird and deliberately let itself caught by Pak Lah.

At his house, Pak Lah is shocked when the bird that he had caught turns into a beautiful woman. So, he asked who is she and what is her intention. She explains that she is a Bunian Princess and her intention of following him home is to tell him that she had fallen in love with him. He is happy to accept her confession. They are dating for a few years and decided to get married.

In order to get married they have to get a blessing from the Princess’s father. He is extremely mad after finding out his beloved daughter wants to marry a human being. So, he put three conditions to test her eagerness. First, she needs to soak her body in Gua Tujuh Kolam for 2 days. Second, she is required to dry her body in Gua Angin for 1 day. Lastly, she has to spend 4 days 3 nights in Gua Kelawar that is popular for its darkness. She does all of them because she is determined to marry Pak Lah.

Because his daughter completes all of her tasks successfully, he allows them to get married. Pak Lah and the Princess are excited and grateful. The Princess father held a grand ceremony for their marriage and they lived happily in the Bunian world.

However, after three years Pak Lah starts to miss his friends and relatives, so he asks the Princess to allow him visiting his village. The princess is reluctant at first. But, because she worries her husband will get sick from sadness, she grants his wish with one condition. She asks Pak Lah to promise her that he will return in 2 months.

As he arrives in the village, he is confused because nobody welcomes him like he had expected. Actually, the time in the Bunian world is slower than the human world. Therefore, in the villager’s eyes he had only gone for three months not three years which is a normal thing for a traveler like him.  After a few months, Pak Lah gain popularity because of the medical knowledge that he acquired from the Bunian world help him heals the sick villagers.  Having a blast, he forgets about his promise. One year already passes, he is ready to return to his wife in the Bunian world.

Upon arrival, the Princess refuses to meet Pak Lah because he breaks his promise. Pak Lah does not realise that 1 year in the human world is equal to 12 years of the Princess waiting for him. Pak Lah is regretful and begs for forgiveness but the Princess does not accept it. Pak Lah then vows to stay right in front of the Princess until she forgives him. Pak Lah waits for 20 years but the Princess not even once turn her back to face him. He died at the same spot with regret.

                                                                                                                                                                    -zamzarif- (556 words)