Timun Mas - Indonesian

A kind woman named Mbok Srini lived in a little house with a green garden. She was all alone and wished for a child. One day, a big, grumbly giant named Buto Ijo gave her a special seed. He said a child would grow from it, but he would come back for the child one day. This is the story of Timun Mas. Mbok Srini planted the seed in her garden. A big, shiny, golden cucumber began to grow. It grew bigger and bigger. When it was ready, she opened it up. Inside was a tiny, sweet baby girl. She named her Timun Mas, which means Golden Cucumber.

Timun Mas grew up happy and loved. But one day, Buto Ijo came back. Stomp, stomp, stomp went his big feet. He wanted to take Timun Mas away. Her mother was so scared. She gave Timun Mas four little magic pouches. “Run. Run as fast as you can,” she said. So Timun Mas ran. When the giant got close, she threw the first pouch. Whoosh. It was full of cucumber seeds. The seeds grew into a big, tangled garden. The giant had to climb through it. Then, she threw the second pouch. It was full of needles. The needles turned into a pointy bamboo forest. Ouch. That slowed the giant down. Next, she threw a pouch of salt. It made a big, sticky sea of mud. The giant got stuck. But he kept coming.

With the giant right behind her, Timun Mas threw her last pouch. It was full of shrimp paste. It bubbled and fizzed. It turned into a hot, boiling swamp. The big giant fell right in and disappeared for good. Timun Mas was safe. She ran all the way home to her mother’s arms. They hugged and hugged. Timun Mas was small, but she was also very brave and very clever. And she showed everyone that love can help you face the biggest, grumbliest giants.