The Legend of Sedaro Putih

Made by : Ni Luh Putu Mira Suantari

Once upon a time, there lived seven people who had no parents which lived as farmers. The seven people consisted of six boys and one girl. The name of the girl was Putri Sedaro Putih. Putri Sedaro Putih was the youngest and loved by her brothers. They always gave protection to her safety.

         One night, Putri Sedaro Putih dreamed. She was visited by an old man. The old man in her dream spoke to her and he said, “Putri Sedaro Putih, you’re actually the grandmother of your six brothers. Your death has nearly come, so you must ready to that. And some days later, from your burial will grow a plant which never exists on this earth. The plant will give many benefits to the human being.”

            After said that, the old man disappeared and Putri Sedaro Putih got up from her slept.

         Putri Sedaro Putih very impressed about her dream. So, she always thought about her death.  She forgot to eat and drink. The oldest brother asked her about her sadness. Then, Putri Sedaro Putih cried and told about her dream. The oldest brother tried to amuse his youngest sister and said that dream was a sleeping flower.

          The day had gone so fast, Putri Sedaro Putih had forgotten her dream. But, one night, Putri Sedaro Putih suddenly died without having sick before.

          The next morning, the six brothers were very surprised to know about the death of their lovely sister. Then, they buried their youngest sister not so far from their house.

           As being told by Putri Sedaro Putih, a strange plant grew on the middle of her burial. Her six brothers were took care the plant like taking care Putri Sedaro Putih. They named the plant Sedaro Putih.

            Five years later, Sedaro Putih plant started blooming and then fruitful.

            One day, when one of Putri Sedaro Putih’s brothers went to her burial, he saw a squirrel which bit the fruit of Sedaro Putih plant until it dropped from the stalk. The water which went out from the stalk of the fruit was licked by the squirrel.

           The Sedaro Putih’s brother tried to know the taste of the water. The taste was very sweet. So, he went home then told his brothers about the event.

           After hearing the story, they decided to take the water of Sedaro Putih stalk fruit like what said by their brother. They did it every day and kept the water in a bamboo cylinder. They got it more and more every day. But, Putri Sedaro Putih’s brothers had a problem because the water will sour if kept so long. So, they tried to make an experiment by cooking it until it became thick. Then, they let it cold until it became hard and look brown.

           Since that day, Sedaro Putih plant was known as Aren or Enau plant. The water which comes out from the stalk fruit of it is called Nira and its cooked to make red sugar which bring benefits in our life.