Dr. Elizabeth F. Collins

Aku nulis karangan iki kanggo bu Collins. Kanca-kanca alumni Ohio University uga padha nulis. Kabeh karangan kuwi mau dijilid dadi buku lan dihadiahke kagem bu Collins ngepasi penerbitan bukune "Indonesia Betrayed" utawa "Indonesia Dikhianati" Senin, 15 Desember wingi.

Dr. Elizabeth F. Collins has left a deep impression in me. She, probably without her knowing it, taught me to be generous and to belief myself.
During my four-year stay in Athens, Ohio (1997 – 2001), I saw Dr. Collins give. Her home was always open for meetings and entertaining, including her refrigerator and pantry, even when she wasn’t home. I can’t count how many times I attended meetings with important and influential guests from all corners of the world with the backdrop being Dr. Collins’s living room. Seldom were joyful gatherings--a welcoming for new students, graduation celebrations, halal bihalal, birthday parties, and just get-togethers (girls’ cooking out)--not enjoyed in the place Dr. Collins created. She gave us a sanctuary, which means a lot when you are far from home.
Spring Break 1998, Dr. Collins was to attend a conference in Washington, DC. She invited Mila and me to go with her. She drove us all and pointed out interesting things along the way. In DC she let us stay with her and suggested that we see the city instead of attending her talk. For me, a poor student from Salatiga, the time was magic. Now that I work in DC, I remember what I saw then--I see the city in a different way. I see things in the light of Dr. Collins’s generosity.
The summer of the same year, Mila and I travelled to San Francisco. We were again welcomed by Dr. Collins, this time to, her home in Berkley. We started our excursion every morning ready for a long exciting day, and arrived home in the evening exhausted; but what I remember most vividly is Dr. Collins showing us how to make apple sauce.
When I married my husband, who had himself attended several events in Dr. Collins’s home, I told him that I wanted our home to be like hers. Paul could not agree more.
Other than her generosity, Dr. Collins saw the potential in a student and helped her to fulfill it. She believed that everyone was capable of cultivating her talenta, and to subsequently work for the betterment of others. I have seen how Dr. Collins helped numbers of students achieve dreams either for academic life or otherwise. She provided help and encouragement.
In 1999 I applied to the masters’ program in the Southeast Asian Studies. For personal reasons, I applied quite late. I talked to Dr. Collins, who was the director of the program at the time, about the possibility of late entry. She said that she could not promise anything but that she would see what was possible. I was accepted into the program. I could not thank her enough. Anyone who has dealt with university bureaucracy will understand from this story the human quality Dr. Collins brought to Southeast Asian Studies program.
July 2001, while I was preparing a thesis proposal, I received an offer to teach Indonesian in Johns Hopkins University. I was thrilled and worried at the same time. I did want to finish my thesis, but university job offer was too precious to pass up. Dr. Collins told me to take my comprehensive exams right away. In August 2001, I was moved to Washington, DC.
There have been a lot of people I have crossed paths with. Some pass just within notice. Some are memorable. And some play a part in what you become. Dr. Elizabeth F. Collins is one of those in the last category. I know that I can’t really repay her; however, I can hope to follow her example of generosity--of opinion, of what I give, and whom I take to heart.
Dr. Collins, kindly accept my deepest gratitude. Also, congratulations for your new book.

Best wishes,
Nona Kurniani Norris
Coordinator of Southeast Asian Languages Program, Lecturer of Indonesian Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies Johns Hopkins University Washington, DC

Operasi

Dina Senen, tanggal 17 November kepungkur sikilku dioperasi. Operasi iki operasi follow up kanggo njikuk sekrup sing nggathukke balung tibia lan fibula, jenenge syndesmosis screw. (Dina Selasa, 12 Februari 2008 aku kepleset es [black ice] neng Connecticut Ave. lan Jl. L, Washington, DC. Engkelku tugel and mengsle [dislocated]. Tanggal 19 Februari, engkelku dioperasi. Dokterku masang pin neng sebelah kiwa, lan sekrup kanggo nggathukke tibia lan fibula.)

Kaya operasi sing pertama, kira-kira seminggu sakdurunge operasi, aku ditelpon perawat sing nakokake data pribadi kanggo urusan administrasi lan asuransi. Dheweke uga nakokke kondisi lan sejarah kesehatanku. Sakwise kuwi, aku kudu nelpon petugas rumah sakit kanggo pra-pendaftaran. Iki uga kanggo urusan administrasi lan asuransi.

Pas dina operasi, pertama aku kudu nyang kantor administrasi rumah sakit. Neng kana aku ngisi formulir sing diperlokke lan mbayar biaya sing ora termasuk neng asuransiku. Banjur aku nyang bagian operasi. Neng kana aku kudu lapor maneh marang petugase. Terus nunggu nganti diundang.

Pas giliranku, ana perawat sing methuk lan aku diterke nyang ruang persiapan operasi. Neng ruang kuwi aku ganti pakaian operasi lan dites mbok menawa aku ngandut. Perawat kuwi uga ngukur suhu badan lan tekanan darahku. Ora suwe sakwise kuwi dokterku, Dr. Joseph R. O'Brien, karo 1 dokter residen lan 1 mahasiswa kedokteran sing lagi praktek mlebu kamarku lan mriksa aku. Kabeh beres, dheweke metu. Terus, dokter ahli anastetik mlebu lan menehi obat bius. Banjur, aku digledhek nyang ruang operasi.

Operasine ora suwe. Aku mung krasa ngantuk nanging ora bisa turu. Aku krungu dokter lan perawat omong-omong sakjroning operasi, nanging aku ora ngerti apa sing diomongke.

Sakwise operasi aku digawa nyang ruang penyembuhan. Neng kamar kuwi ana perawat sing nunggoni karo monitor kondisiku. Dheweke ngukur suhu badanku, lan ana alat khusus sing ngukur tekanan darahku kanti otomatis saben 10 - 15 menit. Perawat kuwi uga menehi jus utawa soda amarga biasane bubar operasi rasane ngelak banget. Aku neng ruang penyembuhan kira-kira sakjam. Perawat kuwi terus ngandani Paul yen aku wis isa bali. Paul dikongkon njikuk mobile saka garasi parkir lan methuk aku neng ngarep gedung rumah sakit. Saka ruang penyembuhan aku disurung neng kursi roda nyang panggonan penjemputan.

Rong dina kepungkur aku nemoni dokterku. Sikilku dironsen lan jahitane dipriksa. Kabeh apik. Suk Februari aku kudu nemoni dokterku sepisan maneh. Sakwise kuwi wis ora perlu nyang dokter, nanging isih kudu terapi.

Sleep Over

I wrote this story a long time ago. Then, I thought it might be a children story book. However, I found out that it's not easy to write fiction. This story is only the beginning. I don't know if I can finish it, though.

It is a lovely afternoon. Diana is sitting on the front porch. She seems like in a deep thought.
“Hi Di”, a friendly greeting went without answer.
“Di, are you okay?”, says the person while touching Diana’s shoulder.
Surprised, Diana answers, “Yes, fine.”
“What are you doing here?”, asks Diana to Tika, who is now sitting next to her.
Tika is Diana’s best friend. Both of them are in fourth grade in the Ki Hajar Dewantoro Elementary school. They live not far from each other.
“I was on my way home from the store, and I saw you. So, I thought I dropped by.”
“What were you thinking about?”.
“I was thinking about something to do this weekend,” answers Diana unexcitedly. “You know, I sometimes get bored. I read and watch TV, but I need something else. Something morefun.”
“You can come over to my house and spend the night,” suggests Tika.
“That’s a good idea, but we have done it often. Don’t take it personally, but it gets boring,” answers Diana. She has thought about that idea.
“Then, let’s make it more interesting,” answers Tika sounding very cheerful.
“How?” Diana does not sound very optimistic. “How can you make a sleepover more interesting?” says Diana to herself. “You just go over to your friend’s house, play some games, and talk until you fall asleep. Unless you have good games and interesting topics, a sleepover will be dull.” Of course, she does not say it out loud. She is afraid it will hurt Tika’s feeling.
“I don’t know,” answers Tika while scratching her head.

“Hi girls. I didn’t know you are here, Tika. How’re you today?” Diana’s mother comes out of the house carrying a roll of garden hoses.
“Hi Mrs. Tobing. I’m fine. Thank you,” answers Tika. “Are you watering the flowers?” she asks.
“Yes. The grass looks dry. Besides, I planted some rose bushes yesterday and I think they need water.” “What are you two talking about?,” asks Diana’s Mother.
Quickly Tika answers, “Well, Di is thinking about something to do this weekend. I suggested sleeping over in my house, but she thinks it is getting boring.”
“I see,” answers Mrs. Tobing.
“Mom, maybe you have an idea to make it more fun,” asks Diana. She knows that her mother always has a lot of good ideas.
“I know,” shouts Tika. She is smiling wide.
“What?” asks Diana. “Tell me! Tell me! What is it?” she is shaking Tika’s arm.
“Di, you’re hurting my arm. Let it go!” tells Tika.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I got too excited,” replies Diana. “So, what is it?” she asks again, more calmly this time.
“Well, we can sleepover..”
“But I’ve told you it’s boring,” interrupts Diana.
“Listen! We’ll sleepover in your backyard,” continues Tika.
Diana cannot say anything. Her mouth is wide open. She says to herself, “Is Tika going crazy? Sleeping over in the backyard, what was she thinking?”
“In a tent,” finishes Tika. She is smiling, feeling proud of her great idea.
“Hmm…that’s a great idea,” responds Diana. “But, where can we get a tent? Do you have one?”
“No. I didn’t think of that,” answers Tika.
“Besides, I don’t know if my parents will let me do it,” she continues.
“I didn’t think about that, either,” says Tika. Then, she suggests, “But, you can ask your mom now, and I’ll ask my mom later”
Diana’s mother is listening to their conversation while watering the grass. She does not say anything, though.
“Mom, is a tent expensive?” ask Diana to her mom.
“I guess so. What do you need it for?” she asks her daughter.
“Tika suggested a sleeping over in our backyard in a tent. Can we, Mom?” Diana asks for her mother’s permission.
“Of course, you can. I’m sure your father won’t mind, either. It’s quite save here. Besides, there is a fence around the backyard,” replies Diana’s mother.
“Thank you, Mom,” Diana shouts.
“Thank you, Mrs. Tobing,” shouts Tika almost at the same time.
“What about the tent?” asks Diana to herself.
“Why don’t you ask Miss Yunita if you can borrow a tent from your school?” replies Diana’s mother.
Miss Yunita is their fourth grade teacher.
“What do you think, Ka?”, Diana asks Tika.
“We can try,” Tika answers.
“Great. So, we’ll ask Miss Yunita tomorrow. And you should ask your mom for permission,” Diana suggests.
“I’ll do that. I’d better go home now,” Tika says. “See you tomorrow at school. Bye, Mrs. Tobing,”
“Bye,” answers Diana and her mother at the same time.

*****

“So, did you ask your mom?” asks Diana when she sees Tika the following morning.
Tika does not answer. She only nods. She is busy getting some of her books and pencil case out of her bag.
“What did she say? Can you sleep over?” asks Diana without stopping. She is a little bit worried if Mrs. Hartono, Tika’s mother, does not let Tika sleep over.
“She said yes,” replies Tika for Diana’s relief.
“My dad also thinks that the sleep over is a good idea,” adds Tika.
“I also told my dad about it when he got home from work. He said he would help us build the tent,” tells Diana happily.
“Cool!” answers Tika. “When do you think we should ask Miss Yunita?” asks Tika.
“At the first recess,” suggests Diana.
As soon as Diana finishes her sentence, Hasan enters the classroom. Hasan is Diana’s and Tika’s best friend. The three of them have been in the same class since the first grade.
“What happens at the first recess?” asks Hasan. It seems that he hears what Diana has said.
“Should we tell him?” asks Diana to Tika.
“Tell me what?” asks Hasan again.
“Not now,” answers Tika.
“Why not?” demands Hasan. From the way he asks, Diana and Tika know that he really wants to know. But Tika says, “The thing is, we are not sure, yet. We’ll tell you later.”
“O, come on. I won’t tell anyone,” demands Hasan.
“It’s not that,” replies Diana. “Tika is right. We are not sure, yet.”
“Okay, then. But, promise to tell me as soon as you know,” demands Hasan again.
“It’s a deal,” replies Diana.
“We promise,” adds Tika.

As soon as the recess bell rings, Diana and Tika runs to the front of the class. Miss Yunita is sitting at her desk putting some paper into one of the drawers.
(To be continued.)

Relawan Perpustakaan

Wiwit Oktober 2006 kepungkur aku dadi relawan ing perpustakaan umum Bull Run, Manassas, ora adoh saka omahku. Kala kuwi ana book sale sing dianakake saben wulan. Aku deleng-deleng lan maca selebaran saka Friends of the Library sing mbutuhake relawan kanggo ngewangi nganakake book sale. Banjur aku ndaftar.

Pancen saka dhisik aku wis tertarik marang gawean ing perpustakaan. Kala aku mahasiswa ing UKSW, kanggo 'mbayar' beasiswa saka UKSW, aku kerja ing perpustakaan, yen ora salah 6 jam per minggu. Kala kuwi, tugasku nggawe kliping.
Ing Ohio University aku nyambi ing perpustakaan bagian koleksi Asia Tenggara. Tugasku nggawe katalog buku-buku anyar. Bosku seneng marang gaweanku, lan nyaranke supaya aku sinau ilmu perpustakaan. Wah, menarik banget, tapi durung bisa keturutan. Pancen dadi pustakawan kuwi pilihan karirku sing kapindo sakwise dadi guru.

Dadi saiki saben Setu saka jam 1 nganti 4 sore, aku kerja ing perpustakaan. Setu pertama saben sasine aku ngewangi nganakake book sale. Dina Setu liyane aku ngewangi ing bagian sirkulasi.

Apa tugasku? Pas book sale, aku dadi kasir lan yen ora akeh uwong, aku nata buku-buku sing didol. Ing bagian sirkulasi aku check in koleksi perpustakaan sing dibalekake. Banjur, buku-buku kuwi dakkelompokke dadi 1) koleksi kanggo bocah-bocah (E = easy, lan ER = easy read), 2) koleksi kanggo remaja lan young adults (fiksi lan non-fiksi), 3) koleksi kanggo dewasa (fiksi lan non-fiksi). Trus, aku kudu nyimpen koleksi kuwi ing rak sementara [= temporary shelves]. Gaweanku pancen ora angel, nanging nyenengke lan sing paling penting aku bisa ngerti menawa ana akeh banget koleksi bab apa wae. Iki penting kanggo nambah pengetahuan umumku, amarga asring aku nemu ukara, pengarang, utawa topik sing ora dakngerteni. Kerepe aku terus nggoleki apa artine utawa diskusi bab kuwi karo Paul. Keuntungan liyane, kanti dadi relawan, aku duwe rasa dadi bagian masyarakat kene. Uga seneng weruh kluarga- bapak, ibu, lan anak-anake- bebarengan nyang perpus, maca buku, lan njilih buku. Wis, pokoke rasa bungah diklilingi buku.

Types of Cellular Phone Callers

Having taking Metro train for 8 years, with my non-native listening ability, I learned that there are three types of people who talk on their cellular phone.

The first type is those who speak loudly and clearly. You can listen to their coonversation even though you are sitting two or three rows down from them.

The second type is those who speak loudly, but not clearly. You probably want to understand what they are talking about, but you can't. And, it is difficult to ignore, as well.

The third type is those who speak so softly that even if you are sitting next to them, you cannot figure out what they are talking about.

This observation is, of course, only for phone conversations in English.

Perempuan Punya Cerita

Dina Minggu tanggal 28 Oktober wingi aku nonton filem "Perempuan Punya Cerita" utawa "Chants of Lotus." Filem kuwi diputer ing Freer Galery of Arts, Washington, DC asil kerja sama karo Grace Heritage lan ASEAN Secretary. Fileme diwiwiti jam loro awan. Dibuka kanthi tembung pambuka saka panitia lan Fatimah Roni, sakwijining sutradara filem kuwi.



"Perempuan Punya Cerita" nyritakake kahanane wong wadon ing Indonesia. Ing filem iku ana patang crita.



Crita sing sepisan "Cerita dari Pulau" nyritakake bu bidan Sumantri sing kena penyakit kanker payudara tahap ketelu. Nanging rubedane ora mung kuwi. Wulan, remaja putri tanggane sing nduwe down syndrome lan diopeni lan ditresnani Sumantri, diperkosa sakwijining nom-noman ing kampung kono. Nalika kasuse dilaporke polisi, Sumantri malah diseneni polisine amarga kasus kaya ngono kuwi angel dibuktikake. Polisine uga ngelingke Sumantri bab kasus aborsi sing isih ditangguhke. Sumantri ngotot yen aborsi kuwi pancen kudu dilaksanakake, yen ora pasiene bisa mati. Sasi mburine, Wulan ngandut lan ibune njaluk tulung Sumantri nggugurke kandutane. Pungkasane, nom-noman sing merkosa Wulan menehi ibune Wulan dhuwit damai. Sumantri lan bojone pindah nyang Jakarta kanti ati sing remuk.



Cerita sing kapindo "Cerita dari Yogyakarta" bab pergaulan seks bocah-bocah SMA. Dicritakake dene bocah-bocah kuwi senengane nonton internet lan filem-filem porno, ngrokok lan ngombe minuman keras, lan nglakoni hubungan seks sing ora aman. Akibate ... ngandut, namung ora ngerti sapa bapake si jabang bayi, amarga dheweke nglakoni seks karo pacare lan telu kancane liyane. Pancen dheweke nyoba nggugurake kandutane, namung ora sida. Pergaulan iki diamati karo Jay Anwar sing ngaku mahasiswa saka Jakarta. Tenane dheweke kuwi wartawan sing lagi nulis bab pergaulan remaja.

Pilot

Sapa ta Pilot kuwi? Pilot asuku. Dheweke dakadopsi rong taun kepungkur saka Prince William County Animal Shelter. Kala kuwi sasi Oktober, umure kira-kira telung wulan. Amarga ora ngerti tanggal lahire sing tenan, dheweke dianggep lahir tanggal 4 Juli 2006. Patriotis banget, ta?

Pilot jenise campuran akita lan chow (basa Jawane apa, aku ora ngerti). Wulune kuning lan ing gegere werna ireng. Wulune akeh banget lan buntute mekrok kaya sulak. Saiki bobote kira-kira 60 pon. Kanggo wong kene ukurane sedhengan, ora cilik lan ora gedhe.

Pilot kuwi lucu tenan. Yen aku lan bojoku lagi mangan, dheweke nunggoni. Biasane ora dakwenehi pangananku. Yen aku lan bojoku uwis rampung mangan, dheweke banjur mangan pakane dhewe ing pawon. Yen dheweke durung weruh aku utawa bojoku mangan, dheweke ora mangan. Kadhang kala sakwise sedina muput kerja, aku lan bojoku mangan ing restoran. Amarga Pilot ora weruh olehku mangan, ya sedina sewengi kuwi dheweke ora mangan.
Yen dheweke pengen dolanan, dheweke nyokot dolanane (tali utawa balung) banjur didudul-dudulke tanganku. Trus, dakcekel dolanane dadine bisa ditarik-tarik Pilot. Iki kaya dolanan tarik tambang.

Pilot uga setia banget. Dheweke ngetutke aku utawa bojoku ing ngendi wae. Banjur dheweke nunggoni ing cedhakku utawa bojoku. Yen aku ados, dheweke nunggoni ing ngarep lawang kamar mandi. Yen aku masak utawa isah-isah, dheweke uga nunggoni ing njero pawon utawa ing sak antarane pawon lan kamar makan.

Pilot ora pinter banget, tapi dheweke titen. Yen aku wis rampung klamben lan lagi nganggo sepatu, dheweke ngerti kuwi wancine mlaku-mlaku. Banjur dheweke mlayu nyang lawang ngarep. Sakbubare mlaku-mlaku, dheweke ngerti yen aku lan bojoku arep mangkat kerja. Trus, dheweke mlebu pawon (wanci aku lan bojoku ora ing omah, Pilot daklebokke pawon, banjur lawang sing cendhek daktutup). Uga, sakwise mlaku-mlaku, dheweke ngarep-arep 'jajanan' (utawa treat).

Pilot ora njegog. Dheweke mbaung. Yen dijak omong, dheweke mangsuli kanthi mbaung. Dheweke dakkira ngerti basa Inggris (kayata: sit, get, come here, no), basa Indonesia (kayata: tunggu, sini), lan basa Jawa (kayata: minggir).

Pilot uwis dadi bagian kluargaku. Ora kaya anak, lha wong dheweke kuwi asu. Namung dheweke nambahi bungahku lan bojoku.

Kertu-Kertu Ceki

On July 19, 2008 at the Poetry Night held by Southeast Asian Studies Summer Institute (SEASSI) and Consortium for the Teachers of Southeast Asian Languages (COTSEAL) hosted by the University of Wisconsin at Madison, I recited a Javanese poem written by Trim Sutija. The title is "Kertu-Kertu Ceki." It was published in Jaya Baya, No. 38, XXVI, March 27, 1972, and I found it on "Antologi Puisi Jawa Modern 1940 - 1980" by Suripan Sadi Hutomo, published in Surabaya by Sinar Wijaya.

As most of the audience did not speak Javanese, Paul, my husband, wrote an English adaptation of the poem. FYI, Paul has been writing and publishing several poems. He and I believe that merely translating a poem from one language into another will not capture the whole meaning and nuance of the poem. Paul worked on this poem for hours. He does not speak any Javanese. So, I translated the poem word by word. He asked me a lot of questions about the words, their literal and possibly figurative meanings, etc. Then, he did the adaptation. You can see us reciting the poem at youtube.com, and type 'Poetry Night SEASSI 2008' in the search box. Then, click on 'No Dice.' And here it is:

"Kertu-Kertu Ceki"
Dening Trim Sutieja

kertu-kertu ceki iki
aja dirampas maneh saka tanganku
amarga ya mung kari kuwi woding uripku
dalanku tekan sabrang
marang donyaku sing wis ilang ing kasunyatan
marang donyaku, donya khayali
nglipur atiku sing sumendhe ing lintang-lintang
amarga donya kang nyata pranyata dudu darbekku
nanging donyane para brewu sing bisa nuku

kertu-kertu ceki iki
aja dirampas maneh saka tanganku
amarga ya mung karana kuwi aku bisa lali
atise wengi ing ril-ril sepur kuwi
bantaling turuku woding impenku
marang donyaku, donya khayali ing lintang-lintang
amarga saiki
saben toko lan longe kreteg kabeh wis dipageri ruji wesi

mangka aku ngerti
sesuk sore ril-ril sepur kuwi ya mesthi wis dipageri
ora perlu dak-pikir sesuk bengi aku kudu turu ngendi
anggere kok rampas maneh kertu-kertu ceki iki

Jakarta, 1972
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No Dice, or Stepping Stones
(a verse adaptation of Trim Sutija's "Keru-Kertu Ceki")
by Franklin Paul Norris

Don't be conspicuous, my right fist, as the glare drags past;
Sit small, shoulders bent over knees; press yourself to my heart;
Feel the corners dig deep into my palm;

"On your feet, dog!" "On your-he's holding something."
"Got it real tight....Let go you mother-" "There!"
"What is it?" "Just dice." "Take 'em! Gambling's a criminal tendency."

Empty handed, small again,
I hear the voices moving down alley,
Shattering glass and kicking over burdens;
Now how will the numbers dance for me?

The '8s, 11s, 3s, and 5s',
The stepping stones of the universe,
The way across to the other side;

I visit the other side in dreams,
Or I would-I did; but you need stepping stones;
I used to sleep on the railroad tracks,

On the rails; from there, the stars danced
As I leapt from one to the next;
Now there's a towering fence and a watch;

My empty hands can't seem to hold on to anything;
(You want to know why?)
This is not my world; I belong on the other side;

Here, my open palms and uncurling fingers
Can only work with the empty places, the open spaces;
But the park's gated, riverbank's walled;

Rich men's hands can close this world and hold it shut.

About the name Diyan Paran

It took me a while to figure out what might be a good name for this blog. So, I decided on "Diyan Paran." It is Javanese. "Diyan" means light or lattern, and "Paran" means away from home or abroad. Combined together, it means a light from afar. I do hope this blog can be a light for someone out there, as it is difinitely for me.
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Tidak mudah menemukan nama yang cocok untuk blog ini. Setelah cari-cari, ketemu "Diyan Paran." Dalam bahasa Jawa "Diyan" artinya cahaya atau lampu, dan "Paran" berarti jauh dari kampung halaman. Jadi, "Diyan Paran" bisa diartikan sebagai cahaya dari jauh. Mudah-mudahan blog ini bisa menjadi cahaya bagi pembaca.
************

Ora gampang golek jeneng sing cocok kanggo blog iki. Sakwise mikir-mikir, aku nemu "Diyan Paran." Muga-muga cahya saka adoh iki bisa migunani.
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Sugeng siang

Siang punika kula damel account wonten blogger punika. Punika kaping sepindah kula gadhah blog. Rencananipun kula badhe masang foto-foto kaliyan tulisan-tulisan kula bab punapa kemawon.
Matur nuwun sanget kagem mbak D. Wulaningsih, ingkang sampun ngrencangi kula damel account punika.
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Siang ini saya coba buat account blogger. Ini pertama kalinya saya punya blog. Rencananya saya mau pasang foto-foto dan tulisan-tulisan saya tentang apa saja.
Terima kasih kepada mbak D. Wulaningsih yang sudah membantu membuat account ini.
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This afternoon I tried to open an account on this blogger. This is my first one. The plan was to have some kind of an on-line journal.
Many thanks to mbak D. Wulaningsih who helped me creating this blog.

Kancil lan Baya

Kancil, a mousedeer, is a cunning character in Indonesian children tales. He does a lot of tricks to get what he wants. One of them, as told in this story, is to cross a wide river to get to Mr. Farmer's cucumber garden. See, he likes cucumbers and in his estimation the garden is now full of them. He deceives Mr. Crocodile to get the other crocodiles lined up across the river. Kancil successfully crosses it by jumping on one crocodile's back to another's.
(I wrote my version of the story in Javanese as it was told by my late grandma when I was little.) So, here it is - Kancil and The Crocodile:

Sakwijining dina ana kancil sing lagi mlaku-mlaku ing alas. Kancil mau tekan kali amba banget. Dheweke pengen nyebrang, amarga ana kebon timune pak Tani ing sebrang kali. Dheweke wis luwe banget, nanging ora ana kreteg kanggo nyebrang.

Ing pinggir kali ana baya sing lagi dhedhe. Kancil weruh baya kuwi, lan duwe akal. Dheweke nyedhaki baya kuwi.

“E, pak Baya,” celuke Kancil.
“Ana apa, Cil,” wangsulane pak Baya setengah kaget.
“Tak kira ing kali iki ora akeh bayane,” swarane Kancil rada ngremehke.
“Sapa kanda? Akeh wae,” pak Baya rada kesinggung.
"Aku ra percaya. Apa kowe bisa mbuktikake?” Kancil nantang.
Pak Baya ora pati pinter, nanging ora gelem kalah, "Isa wae, mung piye carane?”
“Hmmm…,” Kancil ethok-ethok mikir. “Ah ….. undangen kanca-kancamu. Banjur barisa saka pinggir kali kene tekan sebrang kana. Mengko tak etunge.”
“Ya, entenana sedhelok,” pak Baya cepet-cepet nyemplung kali.

Ora suwe, Pak Baya keprungu menehi komando supaya baya-baya liyane padha jejer-jejer ing sak-ambane kali. Bareng kabeh uwis baris, dheweke manggon paling pinggir.

“Wis siap?” pitakone kancil.
“Wis,” bengoke pak Baya.

Kancil wiwit ngetung kanthi napak ana ing gegere pak Baya.
“Siji…..loro….telu….papat….,” karo ngetung Kancil mlompat saka geger baya siji nyang baya jejere nganti dheweke tekan sebrang kali.

“Pak Baya. Kowe bener. Pancen cacahe baya ing kali iki akeh banget.”
Pak Baya seneng, “Kandaku apa. Aja sok ngawur ya kowe.”
“Matur nuwun, Pak.”

Kancil nerusake lakune karo manthuk-manthuk lan mesam-mesem dhewe.