The Princess and The Sea Worms

The Princess and The Sea Worms

Once upon a time there was a king who ruled in Eberu, Lombok, who had a beautiful daughter called Putri Mandalika. Because of her beauty, princess and kings from other kingdom around Eberu wished that she would be their wife. Six of them came to Eberu and ask for her hand of marriage. They were prince Bumbang, Prince Aryo Johor, Prince Singa Trasak, Prince Daria loka, Prince Gunung Piring and Prince Bungsu. Each prince wanted to win the heart of Putri Mandalika.

Her father, the King of Eberu, was very confused and did not know what to do. If he chose one Prince instead of another then it would create jealousy and there could be war againts his kingdom. All the princes were handsome and powerful and so the king allowed his Daughter to make here own choice. But Putri Mandalika was confused too and she also knew the Dangerous risk that her Kingdom and people would get, if she chose either one of the princes.

After several days of serious thinking. Puteri Mandalika met her parents and asked her permission to announce her decision in front of all the princes and the people of Eberu the next day in the beach. Early next morning, everybody gathered on the beach. There was a gentle breeze with small waves breaking softly across the shore. Every body was looking at Puteri Mandalika, waiting for her announcement.

Meanwhile, the six princes prayed in their heart that he would be the chosen one. Then, in a loud and clear voice, Putri Mandalika said, “Oh my beloved mother and father, all the princes and specially the people of Eberu Kingdom. Today I would like announce that I will not give myself to any one of the princes, but rather to all people of Eberu and my own Kingdom.” Then Putri Mandalika threw herself into the sea from the top of Seger Hill and disappeared. Everybody desperately search for her but she could not be found and the people believed she was transformed into flowing sea worms called “Nyale”. Since then every year at the same month, the sea worms will come out and the people of Lombok will gather to catch them to eat or sell them. Nowadays, the time which the sea worm appears are also commemorated with a festival called the Nyale Festival.


See also :
The Fools on the Desert Three fools
The Wind and The Sun
NO TIME
The Hermit and His Padi seeds
The Fisherman
Please All and You Will Please None

My post in Other blog
The Legend of the Mountain of Tangkuban Perahu
The Magic Box