Ceprotan
by Balai Bahasa Surabaya · from Cerita Rakyat Jawa Timur
Adapted Version
Once, a big forest was empty. It had few people.
Ki Godek walked in the forest. He found a good place. It had water and fruit. "This is a good home," he thought. He worked hard to clear the land.
One day, two sisters came. They were very tired. Their names were Sekartaji and Sukonandi.
"I must go," said Sukonandi. "Please rest here," she said. "Ki Godek, help her." Then she left.
Sekartaji was very thirsty. "I want coconut water," she said. There were no coconuts in the forest.
Ki Godek was kind. "I will help," he said. He went fast to get a coconut. He came back with the coconut water.
Sekartaji drank the water. She felt much better. But she spilled a little water.
"I have an idea," said Sekartaji. "Let's call this place Sekar Village. Let's call the spring Sekar Spring."
"The coconut has a meaning," she said. "It means we must think hard. We must work hard. We must think and work to have a good life."
Ki Godek smiled. "That is a good idea," he said. "We will think and work hard here."
Each year, the people have a happy party. They throw coconuts to keep this idea. They keep thinking and working hard. Working hard and thinking carefully helps us build a good home and be happy.
Original Story
Ceprotan
ahulu kala, tanah Jawa masih berupa hutan lebat gung liwang liwung. Perkampungan
masih sangat sedikit dan jarang ditemui karena saling berjauhan. Jalan-jalan yang ada
hanya berupa jalan setapak di antara lebatnya pepohonan. Jalan setapak itu pun
seringkali sudah tertutup semak belukar karena jarang dilewati orang. Dalam perjalanan
berhari-hari belum tentu seseorang akan berpapasan dengan orang lain atau bertemu
perkampungan penduduk. Maka, jika hendak pergi ke suatu daerah, seseorang harus siap
bermalam di tengah hutan berteman binatang-binatang buas. Jika ingin bermukim, orang
tersebut harus membuka hutan terlebih dahulu. ,
Pada suatu hari, seorang perigembara tua bernama Ki Godek tiba di suatu daerah hutan
belantara. Karena hari menjelang malam, ia pun berhenti untuk beristirahat dan memutuskan
hendak bermalam di hutan itu. Sepanjang malam ia dapat beristirahat dengan tenang karena
tidak ada binatang buas yang mengganggunya. Bahkan, ketika terbangun keesokan harinya,
ia menemukan sebuah telaga kecil dan pohon-pohon buah yang cukup banyak sehingga ia
dapat membersihkan diri dan minum di telaga serta makan buah-buahan. Setelah berjalan
berkeliling tempat itu, ia berpikir bahwa tempat itu sangat baik untuk daerah tempat tinggal
dan pertanian karena tersedia air dan tanah yang subur. Ki Godek pun memutuskan untuk
menetap dengan membuka hutan.
Ki Godek adalah orang yang sangat sakti. Untuk membuka hutan lebat itu seorang diri
akan memakan waktu sangat lama jika hanya mengandalkan tenaga biasa. Apalagi, ia juga
tidak membawa peralatan untuk memotong pohon-pohonan dan membuka semak belukar.
Oleh karena itu, Ki Godek mengerahkan seluruh kesaktiannya untuk membuat hutan itu
menjadi daerah terbuka yang dapat didirikan rumah dan dibuat lahan pertanian di atasnya.
Ketika Ki Godek hampir selesai membuka hutan, datanglah dua orang perempuan nan
elok rupawan menghampirinya. Melihat kedatangan dua perempuan cantik tersebut, Ki
“Ki, ke arah manakah jalan ini?” tanya salah satu perempuan itu sambil menghampiri Ki
Godek.
“Maaf, Nak. Aki juga tidak tahu. Aki belum ke sana,” jawab Ki Godek sambil
mengusap keringat yang menetes di pelipisnya.
“Lha, Aki datang dari mana? Apakah Aki penduduk sekitar hutan ini?”
“Bukan...bukan, Nak. Aki juga datang dari arah Nak berdua. Aki lelah jadi istirahat di
sini. Rupanya tempat ini baik untuk bertempat tinggal, jadi Aki memutuskan berhenti di sini.
Lha, Nak berdua ini siapa? Mengapa hanya berdua berjalan di hutan ini?”
-“Ohhh, rupanya Aki juga pengembara. Kami dari Kediri. Saya Sekartaji dan ini kakak
saya, Sukonandi. Kami meninggalkan istana. Kami ingin menjauh dari kemewahan dunia.
135
Perempuan yang menyebut dirinya Sekartaji itu terlihat sangat kelelahan. Tampak
bahwa ia tidak terbiasa berjalan jauh, demikian juga dengan kakaknya, Sukonandi. Hanya
saja, kakaknya terlihat masih sedikit kuat.
“Oh, Nanda berdua ini putri Kediri. Kalau berkenan, silakan Nanda benstirahat di
tempat ini. Ini tempat yang aman dari binatang buas.”
“Terima kasih, Ki. Tempat ini bukan tujuanku. Bukan tempat ini yang kucari,” jawab
Sukonandi,
“Kakangmbok, aku sudah tidak kuat lagi. Istirahatlah dulu, besok kita lanjutkan lagi
berjalan,” kata Sekartaji sambil memegangi betisnya yang terbalut kain.
“Benar kata Nanda Sekartaji. Istirahatlah barang sejenak. Meski Aki tidak punya apa-
apa, setidaknya Nanda dapat melepas lelah,” kata Ki Godek merasa kasihan melihat
penderitaan dua putri yang baik itu.
“Kalau Dinda Sekartaji masih lelah, Dinda saja yang tinggal beristirahat. Kakangmbok
akan meneruskan perjalanan.”
“Tapi kita pergi berdua, Kakangmbok. Jangan tinggalkan Dinda,”
“Setelah sembuh letihmu, kau dapat menyusul Kakangmbok. Jadi, istirahatlah. Aki, aku
titip adikku. Tolong jaga dia, Ki. Aku pergi dulu," kata Sukonandi sambil memegang pundak
Sekartaji.
“Baiklah kalau Nanda memaksa. Aki akan menjaga Nanda Sekartaji. Semoga perjalanan
Nanda mencari hidup yang hakiki tercapai.”
“Terima kasih, Ki.”
Sekartaji yang kelelahan merasa sangat haus. Dia meminta tolong kepada Ki Godek
untuk mencari air kelapa. Melihat keadaan Sekartaji yang kehausan, timbul rasa iba pada diri
Ki Godek. Akhirnya, Ki Godek memutuskan mencari air kelapa untuk Sekartaji. Karena di
hutan itu tidak terdapat pohon kelapa, Ki Godek harus mencarinya ke suatu tempat yang jauh
sekali, yaitu di tepi pantai selatan yang sekarang bemama Desa Kalak. Sebelum pergi, Ki
Godek meminta Sekartaji untuk menunggunya.
“Nanda Sekartaji, di hutan ini tidak ada pohon kelapa. Pohon kelapa adanya di daerah
pantai. Bagaimana kalau minum air telaga saja?”
“Tidak, Ki. Aku hanya ingin air kelapa. Tolong carikan, Ki.”
“Tapi Nanda harus menunggu karena Aki harus ke pantai selatan.”
“Tidak apa-apa, Ki. Aku akan menunggu sampai Aki membawa air kelapa itu.”
Sebelum pergi, Ki Godek membuatkan gubuk dari ranting dan daun-daunan agar
Sekartaji tidak kedinginan. Ki Godek meninggalkan Sekartaji berbaring di dalam gubuknya.
Agar cepat sampai, Ki Godek yang sakti menuju Desa Kalak dengan cara masuk ke dalam
tanah agar perjalanannya tidak terhalang. Tempat Ki G9dek masuk ke dalam tanah berubah
menjadi sumber (teleng). Perjalanan bawah tanah Ki Godek berujung di Desa Wirati Kalak.
Ujung perjalanan bawah tanah Ki Godek tersebut berubah menjadi kedung yang banyak
airnya dan dinamakan Dung Timo yang keluar di teleng 'sumber” Desa Sekar.
Ki Godek berhasil mengambil air kelapa untuk Sekartaji. Setelah sampai di tempat
peristirahatan Sekartaji, Ki Godek menyuruh Sekartaji meminumnya.
“Nanda, Aki bawakan air kelapa ini. Minumlah supaya Nanda segera pulih lelahnya,”
kata Ki Godek sambil memberikan buah kelapa yang sudah diberi lubang di bagian ujungnya.
Dengan demikian, Sekartaji dapat meminumnya.
136
Air kelapa pemberian Ki Godek pun diminum oleh Sekartaji, namun Sekartaji masih
menyisakan air kelapa tersebut dan taripa sengaja menumpahkannya. Peristiwa ini bertepatan
dengan hari Senin Kliwon, bulan Selo atau Longkang (Dzulkhijah).
“Wah, Ki. Aku menumpahkan air kelapa ini. Kasihan Aki yang sudah mengambilnya
Jauh-jauh dari pantai selatan,” kata Sekartaji menyesal.
“Tidak apa-apa Nanda. Apakah Nanda sudah hilang dahaga?”
“Sudah, Ki. Terima kasih Aki sudah menolongku.”
“Jangan sungkan. Nanda adalah junjungan saya sebagai kawula Kediri.”
“Sebagai peringatan, bagaimana kalau perkampungan baru Aki ini kunamai Desa Sekar.
Dan tempatku menumpahkan air kelapa ini kunamai Sumber Sekar.”
“Nama yang bagus Nanda Sekartaji. Aki setuju sekali. Kebetulan perkampungan yang
akan Aki bangun ini belum ada namanya.”
“Iya, Ki, mudah-mudahan kelak menjadi perkampungan yang ramai dan penduduknya
baik-baik seperti Aki.”
“Semoga doa Nanda Sekartaji terkabul. Aki sangat berterima kasih Nanda putri
junjungan rakyat Kediri mau memberi tanda mata nama tempat ini dan memberi doa
keberkahan. Semoga Sang Hyang Widi mendengar dan mengabulkan doa Nanda Sekartaji."
“Aki pantas mendapatkannya karena kebaikan dan kemurahan hati Aki. Aki, ada satu
lagi permintaanku.”"
“Silakan Nanda. Jika mampu, Aki akan memenuhinya.”
“Ki, jika kelak desa yang Aki dirikan ini telah ramai hendaklah setiap orang yang akan
merebut atau mencari sandang pangan (ngalap berkah) dari Pangeran atau kepada Tuhan
mau memakai cengkir sebanyak-banyaknya.”
“Maksud Nanda cengkir kelapa?"
“Iya, yang seperti Aki bawa tadi. Cengkir ini sesungguhnya hanya lambang saja, Ki.
Ada makna yang dalam dibalik nama itu karena cengkir sebenarnya kependekan kata
kencenging pikir “mengencangkan pikiran”. Artinya, setiap orang yang ingin hidup makmur
harus berpikir dan bekerja keras, tidak bermalas-malasan dan berpangku tangan.”
“Ohh, Aki paham, Nanda Sekartaji. Rupanya pengembaraan Nanda sudah membuahkan
hasil. Nanda menjadi putri yang cerdas dan bijaksana. Bijaksana dalam melihat hidup. Aki
akan melaksanakan pesan mulia Nanda Sekartaji. Kelak anak turunku dan saudara-saudaraku
di sini akan menuruti pesan Nanda.
Akhirnya setiap bulan Longkang, hari Senin Kliwon atau Minggu Kliwon diadakan
peringatan ngalap berkah dengan melempar cengkir sebanyak-banyaknya. Peristiwa itu
137
Story DNA
Moral
True prosperity and a good life are achieved through diligent thought and hard work, not idleness.
Plot Summary
An old, powerful wanderer named Ki Godek decides to settle in a vast, untamed forest, using his magic to clear land. Two exhausted princesses, Sekartaji and Sukonandi, arrive; Sukonandi leaves, entrusting Sekartaji to Ki Godek's care. When Sekartaji requests coconut water, Ki Godek magically travels to a distant coast to retrieve it. Upon his return, Sekartaji accidentally spills some, then proposes naming the new village and spring, and explains that the coconut ('cengkir') symbolizes 'kencenging pikir' (diligent thought and hard work). Ki Godek embraces this wisdom, establishing a tradition of an annual ceremony involving coconuts to commemorate the founding principles of the community.
Themes
Emotional Arc
struggle to establishment
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story reflects a pre-modern, agrarian society where land clearing and settlement were significant acts, and spiritual beliefs were deeply integrated into daily life and place-naming.
Plot Beats (11)
- Ancient Java is described as a wild, untamed land with few human settlements.
- Ki Godek, a powerful old wanderer, finds a suitable, fertile spot in the forest and decides to settle, using his magic to clear the land.
- Two exhausted princesses, Sekartaji and Sukonandi, arrive at Ki Godek's clearing, having left their palace.
- Sukonandi, the elder sister, decides to continue her journey, leaving the weary Sekartaji in Ki Godek's care.
- Sekartaji, suffering from thirst, specifically requests coconut water, which is not available in the forest.
- Ki Godek, out of compassion, uses his magic to travel quickly underground to the distant south coast (Desa Kalak) to fetch a coconut.
- Ki Godek returns with the coconut water, and Sekartaji drinks it, but accidentally spills some.
- Sekartaji, feeling remorseful, then proposes naming the new settlement 'Desa Sekar' and the spring 'Sumber Sekar' in commemoration.
- Sekartaji further explains the deeper meaning of 'cengkir' (coconut) as 'kencenging pikir' (tightening one's thoughts), symbolizing hard work and thoughtful living for prosperity.
- Ki Godek, impressed by Sekartaji's wisdom, agrees to adopt this philosophy for the future community.
- An annual tradition is established, where people throw coconuts (cengkir) on a specific day (Monday Kliwon or Sunday Kliwon in the month of Longkang) to seek blessings and remember the importance of diligent thought and effort.
Characters
Ki Godek ★ protagonist
None explicitly mentioned, but implied to be strong and capable despite age due to his magical abilities.
Attire: Simple traveler's attire, appropriate for long journeys and working in the wilderness.
Wise, kind, compassionate, powerful (sakti), hardworking, hospitable.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young adult male with a determined expression, standing tall with a confident posture. He has short, tousled brown hair and piercing blue eyes. He is dressed in a simple green tunic with a leather belt, brown trousers, and sturdy boots. His hands are relaxed at his sides, as if ready for adventure. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature
Sekartaji ◆ supporting
Beautiful (elok rupawan), very tired, unaccustomed to walking long distances. Holds her calf wrapped in cloth.
Attire: Royal attire, likely somewhat disheveled from travel, with a cloth wrapped around her calf.
Delicate, easily fatigued, determined (to find a meaningful life), intelligent, wise (at the end), grateful.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young Javanese woman in her early twenties with a serene, gentle expression. She wears a elegant, deep blue kebaya blouse with intricate gold embroidery along the edges, paired with a matching batik sarong in a traditional parang pattern. Her long, dark hair is neatly tied back in a classic sanggul bun, adorned with a simple gold hairpin. She stands in a graceful, poised posture, one hand lightly resting at her side and the other holding a closed, ornate fan. Her gaze is calm and observant. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Sukonandi ○ minor
Beautiful (elok rupawan), less tired than Sekartaji, but still unaccustomed to long walks.
Attire: Royal attire, likely somewhat disheveled from travel.
Determined, independent, caring (towards her sister), resolute.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young teenage boy with a thin frame, messy brown hair, and a curious expression. He wears a simple, slightly oversized beige tunic with rolled-up sleeves, brown trousers, and worn leather boots. He stands with a slight lean forward, holding a small wooden toolbox in one hand. His posture is attentive and ready to help. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Ancient Javanese Forest (Hutan Lebat Gung Liwang Liwung)
A dense, vast, and wild forest covering the land of Java, with very few and scattered villages. The paths are mere footpaths, often overgrown with bushes due to infrequent use. It's a place where travelers might spend days without encountering others and must be prepared to spend nights amidst wild animals.
Mood: Wild, untamed, dangerous, isolated, primeval
Ki Godek arrives and decides to settle here, beginning the transformation of the forest.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dense, ancient Javanese rainforest at twilight, shrouded in a gentle, rising mist. Towering, gnarled trees with massive buttress roots form a near-impenetrable canopy, filtering the last rays of sunset into ethereal, golden-green shafts of light. The forest floor is a tangled carpet of deep green moss, giant ferns, and twisting vines that obscure a faint, overgrown footpath. Luminous fungi glow softly on decaying logs. The atmosphere is humid, primeval, and profoundly silent, evoking a sense of vast, untamed wilderness. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
Ki Godek's Clearing / Future Desa Sekar
An area within the dense forest that Ki Godek is in the process of clearing. It starts as a wild forest, then becomes an open area suitable for a house and farmland, with a small lake and fruit trees nearby. Later, a simple hut made of branches and leaves is built here.
Mood: Transformative, hopeful, industrious, later a place of rest and revelation
Ki Godek rests, discovers the lake and fruit trees, decides to settle, clears the land, meets Sekartaji and Sukonandi, and Sekartaji names the future village 'Desa Sekar' and the spot where she spilled coconut water 'Sumber Sekar'.
Image Prompt & Upload
Late afternoon, golden sunlight filters through towering ancient trees into a newly cleared clearing. The air is hazy with dust motes and the scent of damp earth and cut wood. In the center, a small, calm lake reflects the sky, its banks trampled but showing new grass. Nearby, a few young fruit trees stand guard. At the clearing's edge, a simple, rustic hut is being constructed from woven branches, leafy boughs, and packed mud, looking humble yet sturdy. The surrounding dense, dark forest forms a dramatic wall of deep greens and browns, contrasting with the warm, sun-drenched open space. Wildflowers begin to dot the disturbed soil. No border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Southern Coast (Pantai Selatan) / Desa Kalak
A distant coastal area, specifically mentioned as Desa Kalak, where coconut trees grow. It is far from Ki Godek's clearing.
Mood: Distant, source of a vital resource
Ki Godek travels here to retrieve coconut water for Sekartaji.
Image Prompt & Upload
Sunset paints the distant coastal village of Desa Kalak in hues of amber and lavender. Calm turquoise waters gently lap against a sandy shore lined with tall, slender coconut palms swaying in a soft breeze. A weathered wooden fishing boat rests on the sand. Further inland, simple stilted huts with thatched roofs peek through the dense tropical foliage. The sky is a gradient of warm orange to deep purple, with a few early stars appearing. The atmosphere is serene and remote, untouched by time. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
Underground Passage / Teleng and Dung Timo
The path Ki Godek takes underground to travel quickly. The point where he enters the earth becomes a spring (teleng), and the point where he emerges in Desa Wirati Kalak becomes a deep pool of water (kedung) named Dung Timo, which then flows out at a spring in Desa Sekar.
Mood: Mystical, magical, hidden
Ki Godek uses his powers to travel quickly to the coast and back, creating these geological features.
Image Prompt & Upload
A luminous spring (teleng) emerges from mossy rocks at the cave entrance, its clear water flowing into a dark, cavernous underground passage. The tunnel is vast, with walls of smooth, damp stone veined with glowing blue minerals. The water deepens, forming a slow, dark river that leads to a massive, circular chamber. In the center lies the deep pool of Dung Timo, its water an eerie, brilliant turquoise, glowing from within. Dappled sunlight filters through a hidden opening above, illuminating floating motes of dust and the lush ferns clinging to the chamber walls. The air is misty and cool, with a sense of ancient, quiet magic. Ethereal light reflects off the wet surfaces, creating a serene, mystical atmosphere. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
