Bujang Katak
retold by Miss Siska
Once there lived a poor old lady. She diligently prayed the Lord to be given
a child. Accidentally, in her prayer she said “Even if the Lord gives me a
child with a frog look, I will still love him.” Apparently, the Lord was giving
what she wished for, a baby boy with frog face and body.
His mother was very happy to finally have a child. She
gave him a name ‘Bujang Katak'. Bujang means son while Katak means frog. He looked
like frog that his skin was slick and greenish while his neck was too short.
As days went by, Bujang Katak grew into a strong young
man. Mom was very proud of having such son .Although he walked like a frog , but
he never lost his confidence. He was known as a friendly and hard-working son
that he also had many friends.
One day, he sat and daydreamt morosely. He began to
worry about his physical appearance.
“What are you thinking, my dearest son ? You have
been sitting and daydreaming all day..” his mother asked worriedly.
He sighed and answered, “I’m growing up , mom. Isn’t
it time for marriage?”
His mother was once
happy but suddenly she wasn’t as she was thinking who would marry her frog-look
son.
“I wish I could marry a princess. Will you engage me
with a princess?” said Bujang Katak.
“ Oh dear son! How can a princess accept you?” her
mother replied in moroseness.
“But I promise I’ll try
my best for you, dear son.”
The next day, she went to the palace. When she got there,
she immediately met the king.
“My apologies, the honorable king. I do apologise
for my impudence. I am here to marry my son Bujang Katak with your daughter
princess.”
“How can a princess love your froggy son?” the king
replied.
Yet, this wise king invited his seven daughters to consider Bujang Katak’s
proposal. The first until sixth daughter refused. But the seventh daughter answered,
“It is okay , father. I don’t see his physical appearance, I see his pure heart.
He’s a good and responsible man.”
The next day , Bujang Katak went to the palace to meet
the king. “You can marry my daughter in ONE CONDITION,” said the king.
“....you have got to build a golden bridge to connect
the palace with your village.” Bujang Katak agreed.
He came home telling his mother about it. ”My son oh dear, we are poor.
How can we get some gold to build the bridge?” asked his mother.
“But I still believe in God’s miracle,” he replied. That night he
continued to pray and pray for what he wished for comes true. He was confident the
Lord would help him.
The morning came, he woke up and went for a bath. As
he looked in himself in the mirror, he was surprised for miracle happened. His
thick slippery flaky skin was gone. He was flabbergasted. And all he saw was a
handsome young man in the mirror.
“Mother, hurry up! Come
see me!”
As he returned to the well, his stacks of peeled thick skin turned into
gold. He praised the Lord. With his thick froggy skin he
could build a golden bridge. He worked days and nights.
The day had come. Bujang Katak and his mother went to see the king. All
the princesses and the king was wondering, “Who is this young man standing in
front of me?”
“This young man is Bujang Katak, My Majesty. God has turned him into a
handsome man,” said his mother. The seventh princess smiled happily.
“Hey, Bujang Katak! Although you have turned into
handsome young man, you should still meet my own condition, A GOLDEN BRIDGE,”
the king warned him.
“Of course, My Majesty. Let’s
see and walk over my golden bridge!” he replied.
The Golden Bridge was so
magnificent. Its golden colour shimmered and glimmered everywhere. King was
glad to see Bujang Katak’s huge effort to marry his youngest daughter. Apparently, what she thought was right. Her choice
was absolutely right to accept him.
Then they returned to the palace for planning the most
extravagant wedding party soon.
And finally Bujang Katak
married the princess. They lived happily ever after.
MORAL VALUE :
“Chase your dream even
though it takes moon to make it come true, stand up and your huge effort will
pay off. Always believe in your faith and miracles.”
