Four Friends Adventures

Rahadyan ngandika aris, sastra Raden Jayengresmi explained,
Buda pepengean, sewu rongatus “Those are Buddhist letters as a
etunge, sangang puluh siji warsa, reminder, one thousand two hundred,
nalikane akarya, ninety-one, the year
ing sanggar pamujan iku the temple was built.”
manthuk-manthuk Gathuk In that place of worship
Gathak Gathak Gathuk nodded.

Source: Pakubuwana V, Sri Susuhunan, and friends. (translator: Sunardian Wirodono). 2011. Serat
Centhini. Yogyakarta: Yayasan Wiwara.

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 49

FIFTH DAY’S
ADVENTURE

The dazzling light faded and then went
out. The four friends opened their
eyes. It was true, they hadn’t returned
to the real world, they were not at school.
They were standing in a place illuminated
by a lamp.
“Why is my body flat?” Ling
Ling cried.
Gracia, Made, and Ahmad also cried out.
They panicked. “What’s happened to my body?”
Gracia said.

“What’s happened to us?”
“Look! Look! We’ve been transformed into
wayang (shadow puppets).”

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“Shadow puppets?”

“Look at your body. It’s thin and flat. Our bodies are made out of cow’s
skin!”

“Cow’s skin?”

“Yes. We’ve become shadow puppets. That lamp is called a blencong
(a hanging oil lamp).”

“We have become leather shadow puppets, but we must still remain
calm.”

“What’s important is that we can still say the last sentence.”

“Yes, let’s enjoy this adventure.”

Moments later, they all became calm. The four of them were silent.

They were busy looking at each other’s bodies. They had become
puppets, with one eye, and flat bodies. They were standing behind a screen,
a stretched out white cloth.

Among the four friends were many other puppets. They were standing
heroically. They all carried weapons. It seemed, a major battle was about to
take place. There were two armies facing each other. One army on the left
side numbered in the thousands. The army they faced didn’t have so many

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 51

in it. The two sides faced each other, but it seemed they were not balanced.

“I know this story,” Made said. “This is the time before the war in the
Mahabharata.”

“The war in the Mahabharata, the great war?” Gracia asked.

“That’s right. In a few moments the puppeteer will perform with the
puppet characters.”

“Does that mean we will also be performed by the puppeteer?”

“Maybe. It depends on the puppeteer.”

The four of them laughed. This was the first of their
adventures that was funny, funny and at the same time
tense. Never mind, they thought, what’s important is to stay
calm. After all, they can exit from the adventure world at
anytime.

It was true. The puppeteer held the rod connected to
the body of Yudhistira. Yudhistira is the king of Amarta. Prabu
Yudhistira is his title, the eldest of the Pandawa brothers. The
puppeteer’s hand is flexible and skillful in manipulating the puppet’s
body. The thin rods from the puppet’s two hands are held in the
puppeteer’s right hand. His voice is strong and smooth.

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“My people, my soldiers, my commanders,” says Prabu Yudhistira.
“Let’s pray, ask the God of war to give us kindness.”

The puppeteer’s voice was so stong and skillful. When the puppeteer
was speaking as the different characters, the gamelan music stopped.

The people in the audience directed their attention to the
puppeteer. All the characters displayed near the screen remained
still.

“My soldiers who are brave and strong, I still see four little
children here. They should not take part in the battle! Take
them back to their homes!” Prabu Yudhistira said to his

soldiers.

The four friends were stunned. They trembled.
It seemed that the others knew about their presence.
Then, Raden Arjuna invited the four friends to leave the

battlefield, Padang Kurusetra.

“Raden Arjuna, may I watch this battle?” Made
asked him.

“No, don’t. Children are not allowed to be
involved in the battle.”

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 53

“Why Raden?”

“That is the rule. Everyone must obey the rules. We, the Pandawas, may
not disobey them.”

“If that is so, may we watch from a distance?” asked Made.

“No, don’t my children. You should just go home. Have pity on your
mothers.”

The four friends were a bit disappointed, but maybe it was true. War
is for grown-ups. There are many risks if children get involved. Then, the
puppeteer pulled up the rod handles on the bodies of the four friends. The
four friends were returned to the box where the puppets were kept. They
were mixed in with the pile of other characters, including even with animals,
trees, and mountains.

Even so, they could still witness the scene before the battle began. As
the story is told, the moments before the battle are a tense time.

They could see how Prabu Yudhistira was a figure with strong
determination, who upheld the truth and behaved as a knight.

The four friends adventure as leather shadow puppets had gone on
long enough. They had lived as flat puppets. The puppeteer had performed
the characters of the story well and left a deep impression. The figures in

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the story had many different characters. Some were good, some were bad.
Some were honest, others liked to lie. It had been some time since the four
friends were touched by the puppeteer’s hands. They were just in the pile in
the wooden puppet box.

“Come on, I’m starting to get bored. Let’s go back!” Ling Ling called to
the others.

They agreed to return to the real world. They pressed their flat hands
forward. The palms of their hands piled on top of each other. Just as their
hands were holding each other hands tightly, suddenly the hands of the
puppeteer picked up the four of them. Their bodies were moved to perform
on the screen. The audience saw the four friends. The figures in the puppet
play witnessed them from afar.

Ling Ling, Gracia, Ahmad, and Made were stunned. The puppeteer
suddenly took them from the puppet box and performed with them. Luckily
because they were holding hands tightly, once on the screen, they quickly
recited the last sentence.

“WE RETURN HOME BRINGING GOODNESS. CLOSE IT! WE RETURN
HOME BRINGING GOODNESS. CLOSE IT! WE RETURN HOME BRINGING
GOODNESS. CLOSE IT!”

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 55

The palms of their hands suddenly emitted a dazzling light. They
closed their eyes with both hands. Their bodies felt light, then as if they
were sucked away. They were freed from the story being performed by the
puppeteer. The puppeteer was also stunned, because suddenly the little
puppets he was playing with disappeared.

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EXCERPT:

MOMENTS BEFORE THE WAR

(pages 269--273)

Almost everyone was ready for war. The two sides had gathered in their
camps. To uphold the honor and glory of a war amongst knights, they
were determined to strongly adhere to the rules of war in launching
their attacks and fighting against their opponents.

War at that time was limited by rules that were different from the rules
that came later. When the sun was about to set, the fighting must stop and
each side return to its camp to rest.

It often happened that the sides that were enemies would gather and
freely interact in an atmosphere of brotherhood while the sun was in its
resting place. They would forget all the events that had taken place during
the day. No one was allowed to raise a weapon or make a fist to fight once
night had fallen.

The one on one fights could only be held between two sides that were
even. No one could do whatever they wanted to do beyond the rules and
norms set by the dharma. Those who fell, moreover those who surrendered,
were not allowed to be attacked or hit again. A soldier on horseback

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 57

could only fight with another soldier on horseback; the same was true for
soldiers in chariots or those riding elephants. Soldiers on foot could only be
attacked by their equals. No one was allowed to defend a friend or attack an
enemy that was engaged in a one to one fight. Someone without a weapon
could not be attacked with a weapon. So, people from groups who were
not soldiers, for example those who beat the drums, blew on trumpets, and
those waiting to help war victims, may not be attacked. Those who ran to
surrender to the opposite side may not be tortured or killed. These were
some of the rules of war agreed upon by the Kaurawas and Pandawas and
announced before the fighting began on Kurukhsetra field.

Many days later, those rules of war were broken by the people
themselves. That is also true of the understanding of right and wrong, about
good and bad, about kindness and evil, all are broken by the people who
create the rules.

They each felt that their side was the most correct, the strongest,
and the ones with the most authority. Thus, much later, people no longer
fought facing their opponents, but also attacked other targets. Common
people, men and women, young and old, with no attention to who they were,
everyone was destroyed if they could be destroyed. In short, every effort
was made to destroy the other side!

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Even though there were rules that limited actions in war, exceptions
and breaking of the rules would take place if people could not control
themselves and wanted to kill each other. But, no matter what violations
occurred, the age old moral character still said that what was wrong was
wrong, what was evil was evil, what was unfair was unfair, what was
disgraceful must be condemned, and so forth.

“Come knights! This is your shining opportunity. Before you the gates
to heaven are wide open! An eternity before Batara Indra and Batara Bhrama
await dharma and your service. Follow your ancestors and step onto the
path of a knight’s dharma. Fight happily to achieve honor and fame.
A knight certainly doesn’t want to die in his bed due to illness or old age.
He will choose to die on the battlefield!” Those were the brief words from
Bhisma in the official opening of the Kaurawa army which were met with
shouts and cheers.

These were the preparations undertaken on both sides. On the Kaurawa
side huge banners were flying in the air. On Bhisma’s chariot, Sang Senapti
Agung, banners were flying with the symbol of a coconut tree and five gold
stars. On the chariot of Aswattama banners with the symbol of a roaring
lion could be seen. On Drona’s chariot, there are banners with the symbol
of a priest’s bowl and a golden bow. On Duryudana’s chariot flew banners

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 59



with the symbol of a cobra. Duryudana wore a loose robe covering his head,
which usually rippled in the wind when his chariot moved ahead.

The great teacher Kripa carried banners with the symbol of a bull; while
Jayadrata chose the symbol of a wild boar. So amazing and noble was
the Kaurawa’s army’s banners flying in the air. Whose heart wouldn’t race
seeing the Kaurawa army marching onto the Kurukhsetra battlefield?

Knowing that the Kaurawa army was far larger in number, Yudhistira
gave a message to Arjuna to use the tactics of focusing the troops rather
than spreading them, and to attack in the formation of a needle.

But, when Arjuna saw the two sides facing each other on the
Kurukhsetra battlefield, ready to attack one another, he hesitated and felt
sorrow thinking of the results of the war. Khrisna didn’t leave Arjuna to
wallow in doubt and sorrow.

He quickly spoke noble words to strengthen Arjuna’s determination in
facing the Kaurawa, enemies and at the same time their cousins. Moments
before the fighting began, when all the weapons to be used to attack the
enemy were raised, when the tension reached its peak, suddenly Yudhistira
who was brave and bold put down his weapon, removed the great covering
from his head and got down from his chariot. He walked towards the
commander of the Kaurawa. Everyone who saw what Yudhistira was doing
was stunned, confused, and asked themselves what will Yudhistira do now.

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 61

Arjuna was very surprised and quickly got down from his chariot, and
chased after Yudhistira. Khrisna and Arjuna’s brothers followed in the steps
of Arjuna. They worried, what if Yudhistira wanted to surrender without a
fight, to achieve peace.

Choosing to chase him from behind, Arjuna called to Yudhistira in a
loud voice, “Hey, our King who we respect, why are you acting so strangely?
Without telling us, you go to the enemy’s side without a weapon, without
guards, and on foot. Tell us, what is the meaning of this?”

But Yudhistira did not answer even with one word. He was immersed in
soul searching and continued walking towards the enemy side.

After observing Yudhistira’s face for several nights, Khrisna who knows
people’s hearts and souls, also the heart and soul of Dharmaputra (another
name for Yudhistira) at that time, said calmly to the other Pandawa, “Yes,
I know his intention. He wants to go and meet Bhisma, the great teacher
Drona, and the other elders to ask for their blessings before the terrible war
begins. What he is doing is in accordance with the etiquette and customs of
the knighthood. With the blessings of the elders, he hopes he will be able to
undertake our obligations on the battlefield as best we can.

Duryudana’s army, seeing Yudhistira come without a weapon or
bodyguards and with his head bowed, thought that the knight had come

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to find a peaceful end to the conflict, because he was daunted to see the
strength of the Kaurawa troops. They whispered to each other, saying
Dharmaputra was a coward and his behavior was embarrassing for a
knight. Many cursed him. Why was someone like Dharmaputra born into the
knighthood. But, there were those who felt relieved because they thought an
easy victory would be achieved, without throwing even one punch, because
Dharmaputra was coming to surrender.

Yudhistira kept walking, cutting through the neat lines of Kaurawa
troops standing erect, complete with their weapons of war. He was
swallowed up in the sea of troops led by Bhisma. Until he came in front of
the great commander, when Yudhistira bowed down at the feet of Bhisma
who he revered and said, “Grandfather who I honor and revere, allow us to
begin this battle. We take the liberty to oppose Grandfather, the knight who
has no equal and cannot be conquered. We beg your blessing.”

“My grandson, you were born as a descendant of Bharata. You are
acting nobly in accordance with the etiquette of the knighthood. My heart
is so proud to witness all this. I am not an independent soldier. Because
I am bound by my obligation to Dhestarata, I must fight on the side of the
Kaurawa. Fight against you. Victory will be on your side,” Bhisma said while
bestowing his blessings on Dharmaputra.

Source: Pendit, Nyoman S. 2005. Mahabharata. Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka Utama. 63

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES

SIXTH DAY’S
ADVENTURE

The dazzling light faded, then disappeared. The four friends opened
their eyes. They had not returned to school and they had not returned
to the real world. The four friends had moved immediately into the
next adventure.

This time they landed on a field of grass, a meadow that felt rather
dry but shady, a vast meadow. The view was beautiful. Dark blue colored
mountains rose up in the distance. The sky was a light blue. Several white
clouds could be seen in a long row.

The four friends felt an extraordinary change. The atmosphere of
war suddenly changed to such calm. From their little flat bodies, they had
returned to their usual everyday bodies.

“Wow! What a great adventure!”

“Yeah, but remember, we haven’t returned to the real world yet.”

“Just imagine, what if the puppeteer had continued to perform with
us?”

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“Luckily we were quick!”

“That puppeteer was really something. He definitely wanted to have it
his way.”

“Yes, indeed. We are not puppets!”

“But where are we now?”

“I don’t know. What’s certain is this place is very pleasant.”

“That’s true. It feels like I want to stay here for a long time.”

They enjoyed the serene atmosphere. But, after a while they were thirsty
and hungry. They hadn’t brought any supplies with them. That meant,
they had to look for something they could eat. Meanwhile, they were in the
middle of a grassy field, not in a village or at a market.

After coming to an agreement, they went into the forest. To be exact,
a clump of trees and underbrush near the field. They were looking for any
possible fruit they could pick. And they were lucky, there were some ripe
bananas growing there. They gobbled them down. There was also a spring
running through with very clear water. They drank directly from the spring.
That was enough for them. The four friends were careful in their adventure.
They didn’t dare to misbehave. For example, to destroy anything, to get
angry, or to say any dirty words. That was all prohibited in the big book.

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 65



They continued with their adventure. After walking out of the
underbrush and clump of trees, they saw a beautiful scene, which was
a beach. It was a bay that extended into the land. The four friends were
stunned by its beauty.

“Where is this heaven?” Ling Ling asked.

“Really, I’ve never seen a view like this,” Ahmad said.

The place where they stopped was a small hill. After walking down of
it, they looked around. Around them was tall grass and undergrowth. In the
distance another hill could be seen. At the top of it was a building, maybe a
house, maybe a place to rest. They headed over that way.

Once they were there, they saw several people on horseback. The four
friends were able to approach without anyone knowing it.

“Are you all ready, La Haki?” asked a youth to the other youths near to
him.

“Yes, Ruma!” they answered bowing. “The fields full of deer and shrubs
have been fenced in. The deer can’t possibly escape.”

The four friends listened to the conversation. They made a mental note
of the names La Haki, Lalu Jala (who was called Ruma). Those two men
were deer hunters in the meadows.

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 67

The four friends kept watching what the two men were doing. They
saw them talking. From their discussion, they learned that the place they
were in was Sumbawa Island. They were on the delta of the Kambo River at
Sanggar Bay.

Those two men were deer hunters. The man named Lalu Jala was the
son of the Sultan of Sanggar. Meanwhile, La Haki was his servant. Even
though they were people with authority, they had rules about hunting. And
although the deer lived in the wild in large numbers, people could not hunt in
any way they wanted. They had to follow the rules. They could not do just as
they pleased.

The four friends wanted to experience taking part in the hunt, but
they were afraid it was risky. They preferred to just walk and enjoy the
scenery. They watched for a while, how people there hunted for deer. It was
extraordinary, the four friends were amazed by the people’s cunning and
skill.

Next, the four friends enjoyed looking at the scenery some more. They
enjoyed the meadows, the ocean, the calm and peaceful atmosphere. Until
the time came when they decided to go back. To go back or maybe to move
to another adventure. The four friends didn’t know how long they would
keep living in adventures.

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“La Haki, Lalu Jala. Those are names of characters in a novel by Marah
Rusli,” Gracia said.

“Marah Rusli? What’s the title?” Made asked.

“La Hami. It’s a good novel about the people of Sumbawa.” “What’s the
story in that novel?” Ling Ling asked.

“Well, you had better read it yourselves,” Gracia replied.

They all laughed. Ling Ling looked a little sullen.

“Now, we’d better say the last sentence,” Made focused their attention.

“Come on!”

They put their hands together on top of a stone.

“WE RETURN HOME BRINGING GOODNESS. CLOSE IT! WE RETURN
HOME BRINGING GOODNESS. CLOSE IT! WE RETURN HOME BRINGING
GOODNESS. CLOSE IT!”

The palms of their hands suddenly emitted a dazzling light. They shut
their eyes with both hands. Their bodies felt light, then it felt like they were
being sucked away.

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 69

EXCERPT FROM THE NOVEL:

(pages 71-73)

On Sumbawa Island there is a lot of
deer hunting; because there are
so many deer there. Herds of
10 or 20 deer, are often found, while
even larger herds are not unusual.
Deer hunting is such a common
activity it is done almost
everyday. If we walked overland
from one area to another area
in Sumbawa, we would certainly meet up
with herds of deer along the way so
that it would console our boredom
and frustration on the road,
which usually involved dozens
of kilometers of silent travels
undertaken on horseback, as the only

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means of transport that could be used there, because the narrow roads went
up and down filled with big rocks.

Not many days of our journey passed without us seeing a herd of deer
calmly eating grass, as if there were no dangers, nothing threatening them.
Sometimes they would turn for a moment to those passing by, as if wanting
to know, who it was who disturbed their meal, then after that they would
continue with their work of filling their stomachs. If they were surprised
because people arrived, they would run for
a moment, then stop again. Because
of that, this animal could easily
be shot with a rifle or bow and
arrow. Without even taking aim,
they could be hit, because there
were so many of them and they
were so tame. In this type of
countryside, places that sold
food were not that regularly
found, so it was very useful, if
we could easily get meat, food
we truly desired.

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 71

While the people hunt deer because they want to obtain food, the
local kings and wealthy people do it for fun, while merchants do it to make
a living. This could be seen in all the dried deer meat that comes out of
Sumabwa, as a forest product sent to Java and other places.

Even if many deer were hunted, there was still no scarcity. First because
the people of Sumbawa, there are not many who eat meat. Second, on this
island there are so many wide fields and meadows which are good for these
animals to breed. Third because wild animals that eat deer, do not exist
there.

The way deer were hunted 35 years ago on Sumbawa is as follows.

a. They were shot with an arrow or a rifle. If it was an arrow, there was
no sound, but it didn’t always kill as quickly as a rifle, which although
it makes a loud noise, the animal will never run far, and can be shot
again. Because a rifle is quicker and more precise, arrows are not
used that much anymore. Rifles can be used anywhere, night or day.

b. Use a jontal (lontar) rope fence. This way begins at night and is
completed at midday. How it works is in an underbrush, at night,
a rope is made of lontar leaves, by tying the leaves together, until
it is hundreds of meters long. This rope is tied to the branches of
trees surrounding the underbrush so that it becomes a fence of

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lontar leaves at various levels, which is up to two meters above
the ground. Of course, such a fence is meaningless to people who
know its weakness. But deer do not know about that. What they see
is a fence of white lontar leaves that moves when the wind blows.
Because of that the deer are afraid to approach it, moreover to jump
over it. Thus, it is easy to shoot them during the day with a rifle or
bow and arrow, as they are confined in the lontar leaf fence.

c. Use bright lamps, that is lamps that shine bright lights in front of
them and leave what is behind them in darkness. This is done at
night. If there is a deer in a place, these animals are approached
slowly and carefully with a bright lamp so that nothing moves or
makes a sound. In this way the animals can be approached up to
a distance of two meters so it is easy to shoot them with a rifle, a
bow and arrow, with a spear or to snare them. Sometimes, if a shot
misses the mark, the deer will run for a moment, then stop and look
at the bright light, which seems to blind them and transfix them so
that they don’t run far away.

d. With a hunting horse that has been trained, so if it sees or smells
deer it chases them and follows the trail of these animals. Even if
the deer turn to the right or the left, jump into a river or over a cliff, a
hunting horse is chosen from horses that run swiftly and have strong

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 73

bodies, while the hunters who ride them must be people who are
skilled riders who don’t need to hold the reins and step in the stirrups
and who are stable sitting on horseback so that they can suddenly
turn to the right or left, push forward or stop and will not fall from the
horse’s back. Once the horse approaches or is beside the deer, it can
be struck with a spear, a sword or snared. This kind of hunting can
be viewed as a sports competition and can be held for kings or other
important people as a leisure activity. It is usually held in a grassy
field or meadow that is wide and flat and has no large trees on it.

Source: Rusli, Marah. 2011. La Hami. Jakarta: Balai Pustaka.

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SEVENTH DAY’S
ADVENTURE

The dazzling light faded and then disappeared. The four friends
opened their eyes. They still weren’t back at school and they had not
returned to the real world. The four friends had moved directly into
another adventure.

The four friends were suddenly in a crowd of people. People dressed
in clothes from a period in the past. They didn’t know what period. The
material and styles were not the model of the times in which the four friends
lived. They smiled looking at the people. They felt funny in the clothes they
were wearing. The four friends’ clothes had changed so they were wearing
clothes like what the other people were wearing. They were wearing
pajama-like clothes, traditional Chinese clothes in red.

“Wow, it’s like we are in China,” Ahmad said.

“These clothes suit you, Ling,” Gracia said. “You also look good,” replied
Ling Ling.

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 75

“Where are we? What year is it?” Made asked. “I don’t know. Let’s look
around!” Gracia proposed.

They walked along looking at the people. It was as if there was a
celebration. People were watching a performance. There was traditional
Chinese music. There was also lenong (folk theate), gambang, doger
(female singer-dancer), gambusan (lute ensemble), and topeng (masked
dance). There were traditional Chinese houses, like temples. They were
painted red with dragons carved on the pillars and roofs. Paper lanterns
were hung up. It was very festive.

“We are in Indonesia, in Jakarta. Batavia to be precise,” Ling Ling said.

“Batavia? Does that mean during the Dutch colonial period?” Gracia
asked.

“Yes. This is called Petak Sembilan. A Chinese neighborhood. It
resembles the Arab neighborhood which was inhabited by Arab people and
their descendants,” Ling Ling explained.

“But why is there Betawi music and Arab music, and also a masked
dance performance?” Ahmad asked.

“That’s Indonesia. It’s so rich. The people love their arts. The most
important thing is to respect each others’ arts and culture.

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The four friends nodded.

“Yes, yes, this is called appreciate your culture,” Gracia said.

The four friends walked around the neighborhood. The rich variety of
culture was indeed awesome. After enjoying the harmony of the people and
the wealth of arts activities, they decided to move on to another adventure.
The four friends read the last sentence. Then, whoosh! They were sucked
into a different world.

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 77

POETRY:

A CELEBRATION OF LAMPS

Zeffry J. Alkatiri

From evening the celebratory lamps gave the greeting: Welcome to
the guests.
We ask for your blessings
Red and white envelopes switched hands.
The table was spread with: Hunkue, wajik, pepe, and cente manis.
After being stuffed with kebuli stomachs were bloated.
Slowly relaxed by music of the gambus lute orchestra. On the side
lenong, doger, and topeng
Jingkrak nandak to the beat of the gambang. Pak Jaid clearing
his throat opens the eyes of those who put chickens to sleep who
dream of becoming generals in foreign lands.
Meanwhile on the stage the story of Dardanela Dalam was being
performed in the night of a thousand stories.

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Near the end of the tale
Candle wax dripped and burned the celebratory lamps into charred
powder.
(1998)

Source: Alkatiri, Zeffry Al. 2001. Dari Batavia Sampai Jakarta 1616-1999, Peristiwa Sejarah dan
Kebudayaan Betawi-Jakarta dalam Sajak. Magelang: Indonesia Tera.

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 79

THE EIGHTH DAY’S
ADVENTURE

The four friends now knew where they were. They were in Jogja. The
city where they lived. Now, they had entered an adventure world in
the city of students. After their adventure in Batavia, they immediately
went to Jogja, but they didn’t return to their school.

“Yeeeee, we’re at UGM (University of Gadjah Mada)!” Ahmad cried.
“This campus is the place where my father studied,” Garcia added.
“Okay, now guess, what book do you think we are adventuring in now?”
Made asked.
“Cintaku di Kampus Biru by Ashadi Siregar?” Ahmad said quickly.
“Or Para Priyayi by Umar Kayam?” Gracia said.
“Many books were born in this city,” Ling Ling said.
“Hey, just a minute, our adventure in Batavia earlier, what book was that
from?” Ahmad cut in.
No one knew. They were all quiet.

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“Maybe Ca Bau Kan by Remy Sylado?” guessed Made.

“Or a work by Pramoedya Ananta Toer?” Gracia guessed.

No one knew. They were all quiet for few moments.

“Come on, let’s start walking. Hopefully we will quickly find out the
secret of this adventure!” Ahmad said.

They walked through the campus. What was really fun was they were
no longer children in red and white elementary school uniforms. They were
transformed into college students.

They radiated happy and excited expressions. Gracia, Ling Ling, Ahmad,
and Made were four college students. Serious and enthusiastic students.

“Do you think we’ll be like this later on?” Ahmad asked.

“Maybe. Hey, look at your moustache!” teased Gracia.

They laughed to see what they looked like. It felt strange and amusing
to them, and at the same time they liked it. That’s how they felt.

“We’re college students now. We’re not wearing uniforms,” Ling Ling
said.

“Right. Our books are no longer thematic. Take a look in your bags!”
Gracia said.

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 81

They opened their school bags to see what were they carrying as
college students. But, it was strange. The style of their clothes was not
like college students today, but rather clothes from the past, from several
decades ago. “From about what period are these clothes we are wearing?”
Made asked.

“It seems about 1980-1990,” Gracia replied.

“Oh yeah?”

“I remember photos of my father and mother,” Gracia said. “This was
their style.”

“If that’s so, our age has advanced so many years, but we are in a
period that has already passed. Our time is going backwards!” Ling Ling
said.

“You’re right!” Ahmad said.

“Our adventures are certainly exciting!” cried Gracia.

They continued walking. On campus, they were activists who were
active in campus organizations. They met with students with progressive
ideas. What they were talking about were things they had never discussed.
Suddenly they were clever. They knew about many things and they were
very good at speaking.

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The four friends met with students who were excellent and outstanding.
That was the characteristics of those students. They studied hard, were
open, had progressive ideas, and respected other people’s opinions. They
also repsected differences, both in religion and ideas.

As campus activists the four friends met with many students. Not only
students from one department, and also not just UGM students. They were
friends with students from other campuses. Their broad friendships added
to their experiences and knowledge.

One of their friends came from the campus of the Institut Agama Islam
Negeri Sunan Kalijaga (State Institute of Islamic Religion Sunan Kalijaga).
Her name was Nisa. Nisa was a smart and friendly student. They met her
several times. These meetings allowed the four friends get to know her
well.

In the midst of this adventure, the four friends discovered the secret of
their adventure. They knew this character Nisa.

“This adventure of ours is rather long. Does anyone know what book
this is?” Ahmad asked.

“I know,” Gracia said.

“I know,” said Ling Ling. “I know,” Made said.

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 83

“I also know,” Ahmad said.
They smiled. It turns out they had entered into the book, Perempuan
Berkalung Sorban (A Woman with Scarf) by Abidah el Khalieqy. The four
friends smiled. Then, they retold the story of Nisa in that novel. Nisa was a
woman who was persistent and studied hard. In the midst of the problems
she faced, Nisa could overcome them well. Nisa was an excellent and
outstanding student.
After solving the secret of this long adventure, the four friends decided
to go home. Go home or move to another adventure, they didn’t know. They
recited the last sentence. Then they disappeared.
Zlaaappp!

84 CHAPTER 2 - LOST IN THE WORLD OF ADVENTURE

EXCERPT:

(pages 202-203)

With the support of mother and Widan and also due to my unfortunate
condition being left with no activities after becoming a widow, I
decided what I intended to do and immediately left for Yogyakarta to
continue my university studies. Even though Rizal and Wildan were also in
Yogya, I didn’t want to live with them. I wanted to enjoy living independently
which had been an obsession of mine for some time. After all, I was an
adult.

Intention and hard work were already a part of my being. I was
successful and was accepted at one of the universities. I chose philosophy
as my field of study. It was true what Lek Khudori had said, my studies
and activities kept me very busy. I began to fill my days with exciting new
relations, new friends, and completely new books. Encouaged by a friend
I also joined one of the extra-curricular organizations on campus. The
riveting beauty of knowledge sucked me into its charm. My hobby of reading
put me in touch with the world of writing for which I found an outlet in the
publication of a student magazine.

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 85

Through my studies, I progressed step by step in the academic world
with the knowledge that was possessing my mind. It was shaping my way
of thinking and my personality. In the organization, I learned to debate, give
speeches, and how to manage words to control masses, also how to lobby
with many others who had studied longer. By writing, I learned to arrange
all the ideas I had gained in my classes, as well as in the organization,
plus my own contemplations and everyday experiences in the real world.
Because I have always been very active, I still felt with all I was doing that it
wasn’t enough. I also joined a language class at one of the colleges with an
international reputation.

Source: Khalieqy, Abidah El. 2008. Perempuan Berkalung Sorban. Yogyakarta: Arti Bumi Intaran.

86 CHAPTER 2 - LOST IN THE WORLD OF ADVENTURE

THE NINTH DAY’S
ADVENTURE

Zliiinnkk!

The four friends move into the world of a different adventure. Now they
were in Jakarta. They were standing under a statue of a man and woman
standing erect. The statue was very tall. Their hands were lifted to the sky
holding a bouquet of flowers.

Beneath them, a round pool surrounded the statue. The four friends
were at the edge of the pool. They looked up at the statue which was facing
north. The statue and the pool were in the middle of the street. Streets
emanated from it in five directions. Not far from where they were standing,
tall skyscrapers lined the streets. They were the Hotel Indonesia, Sarinah,
and several bank buildings.

“This is Bundaran HI (Hotel Indonesia Circle),” Ling Ling said. “Look at
the statue! It was created by Henk Ngantung, an artist who at one time was
governor of Jakarta.”

“It’s very beautiful.”

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 87

“The sculptor who made the statue was from Jogja, Edhi Sunarso,
upon the request of President Soekarno at that time,” Ling Ling explained.

“Oh, so this statue was made during the time of Bung Karno?” Made
commented.

“Right. Besides being smart, Bung Karno also loved art and culture,”
Gracia said.

“This city is very busy,” Ahmad cut in.
“It is the capital city,” Made chimed in.
“What year is this?” Ling Ling asked.
“It seems to be 1980-1990,” Gracia said. “Look at the style of clothing!”
After their adventure as students in Jogja, now the four friends were
graduates. Gracia worked as a journalist. Made worked in an office. Ling
Ling was a businesswoman. Ahmad was a writer.
“The older we get, the stranger we get,” Gracia said.
They all laughed looking at the clothes they were wearing. Then, they
looked at the faces of each of their friends.
“Will we really look like this when we are old later?” Ling Ling asked.

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“Yeah, it’s okay,” Gracia said. “It suits us. You two are handsome and
Ling Ling is pretty.”

“Hahahaha…”

They laughed imagining their futures. It was strange and funny, they
thought.

“Come on, let’s continue our adventure!” Made said.

During their long adventure in Jakarta, they met Arif and Kirman, who
had also been activists with them as students. Both of them were already
married.

This meeting motivated them and they wanted to meet their other
friends. It didn’t take long for the four friends to be able to figure out this
adventure. “This is the story by Motinggo Busye!” Ahmad cried.

“That’s right,” Gracia added.

It seems that the only ones who had read it were Ahmad and Gracia.
They related the story to Ling Ling and Made. One of the important parts of
the story was telling about respect and tolerance between religions, beliefs,
ideas, and differences that exist.

“Wah, I’m feeling exhausted,” Ling Ling said.

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 89

“That’s true, even though it’s enjoyable, it’s tiring to keep having
adventures,” added Made.

“How long have we been on adventures?” Gracia asked.
“Is the time here and the time in the real world the same?” Ahmad
asked.
They were quiet. No one talked. Maybe the time in the real world was
still the same. Meaning, they were still sitting beside the well in back of the
school under the gayam tree. They stared blankly.
“What if we can’t return to the real world?” Gracia suddenly asked.
“I’m exhausted,” Ling Ling said.
“Or, we split up here?” Made said. “We continue our roles in this
adventure world?”
They all shook their heads. In their hearts the four friends were still
children: children who liked their small world which was cheerful and always
happy.
“I don’t want to!” Ling Ling said.
“Me either!” Gracia said.

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“Me either,” Ahmad said.

“Me either,” Made added.

“So, how can we get back to our school?” Ling Ling asked.

They were all quiet. The heat of Jakarta made them feel sticky and
uncomfortable. They said the last sentence over and over. But they still
could not return to the real world. They continued traveling from one book
to another.

Ling Ling cried. Gracia also cried. Made became anxious. Ahmad was
quiet. Suddenly, Ahmad made a suggestion.

“Come on, let’s try again. They read the last sentence. We have to be
patient and try.”

The four friends placed the palms of their hands down. They read
the last sentence. A dazzling light was emitted by the stone beneath their
hands. They placed both hands over their eyes. Their bodies felt light, then
they were sucked inside.

Zliiinnkk!

They entered into the book Jalan Tak Ada Ujung by Mochtar Lubis. Not
long after that, they came back. They read the last sentence.

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 91

Zliiinnkk!
They entered into the book Bumi Manusia by Pramoedya Ananta Toer.
They quickly returned. They read the last sentence.
Zliiinnkk!
They were in the book Upacara by Korrie Layun Rampan in the jungle of
Kalimantan. Not long after that, they read the last sentence.
Zliiinnkk! Zliiinnkk! Zliiinnkk! Zliiinnkk! Zliiinnkk!
It continued like that. Everytime they read the last sentence, the
four friends entered into another adventure. After a while they felt really
exhausted. They were desperate.
They were trapped in the world of adventure. They couldn’t return to the
real world!

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STORY EXCERPT:

“MY FRIEND THE PROVOCATOR”

(pages 16-25)

Ihadn’t had a telephone call in a long time. Even though, I missed talking
with my friends since I had been laid off. It’s hard to imagine how happy I
felt getting a telephone call that afternoon. He said he had been a friend
of mine since before the Priok Event of September 12th, 1984 broke out.

“Now I’m a leader of demonstrations,” he said.

I hadn’t had a chance to chat to my heart’s content, when he hung up
the phone. I thought perhaps he was trying to save on the cost of the phone
call like many people these days. It turns out I was wrong. An hour later, he
was standing at my front door.

He was Kirman. Strong. He was beginning to have a pot belly. He was
wearing a jacket. He placed his car keys on top of the table in the guest
room.

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 93

“Where do you live, Kir?” I asked. “Lately, often in a hotel,” he replied.
“Wow, if that’s the case you are really rich, right?”

Just when he was about to answer me, handphone could be heard
ringing from his pocket. He spoke on the phone in a language that I didn’t
understand. I had the feeling that it was a code language of two people who
were making a plot. In the past we in the underground also liked to use a
code language.

Kirman suddenly stood up and said: “Wah, I’m sorry Bung, we have a
meeting. So sorry,” he said again. He picked up his car keys and left.

I was disappointed because I had hoped we could chat, if necessary
until late at night.

I fell into the chair in the guest room. I imagined Kirman several years
ago. If I’m not mistaken in January 1985. Close to Magrib (evening prayer)
Kirman and Nunung who was pregnant came to my house.

“We were almost arrested, Rif,” he said. “Can we stay with you for just
one night?”

“Of course,” I said.

Then I called my wife. My wife hugged Nunung. My wife’s attitude made
Kirman happy: “Just stay here tonight.”

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“If we are arrested?” Nunung asked.

“Yes, hopefully not,” my wife said while taking the plastic bag filled
with clothing. Our house was used for two years as a “hideout” for runaway
extremists from Jakarta and the Ngruki Islamic Boarding School in Central
Java. Miraculously, not a single person was arrested.

Oh yeah, the two of them came once more. This time with a small child.
Then it was 1986. The trauma of the Priok Event had worn away. We only
exchanged information about our friends who were put in jail. In the “safe”
situation like that, Kirman and Nunung still seemed to have difficulties. I was
surprised, why his attitude had not changed.

Meanwhile the rest of us had agreed to end the underground
movement. Kirman often came after that, complaining because he still lived
with his parents-in-law. “Kir, you should return to teaching,” I advised.

He just remained silent. And since then neither Kirman nor Nunung had
ever come.

We who suffered the same fate after the Priok Event, looked for jobs
above ground, that were in line with our professions. At first, I was happy
to hear that Kirman had returned to being a teacher. But some said, he only
taught for two months, then was fired because he was “still too extreme.”
But other friends said he was not.

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 95

And now, I still sat in the chair in the guest room. My wife appeared
with some drinks while asking: “Where did that crazy Kirman go?”

“He left,” I said.

“Did he come with Nunung earlier?”

“By himself,” I said.

But I purposefully didn’t tell my wife one important thing. That Kirman
had changed. I’m sure my wife would be surprised to hear that crazy Kirmn
was wearing a jacket, had a bit of a pot-belly, stayed in a hotel and had a
handphone. My wife drank the water she had brought for Kirman. I also
drank the sweet tea prepared for me. When my wife left, my mind was busy
going over thoughts again.

My mind was trying to figure it out. If earlier Kirman said he had a
meeting, of course the activity had to do with politics. If that was true, I was
rather surprised. Because, many friends who were very extreme in the past
and “ready to die,” had changed and become merchants or office workers
like myself. We had no taste for politics anymore.

Worried that I would get stressed out thinking of Kirman, I quickly
decided to forget my friend who had appeared so mysteriously.

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For a while I forgot Kirman. But the problem was I thought of him again
when my wife returned from shopping. My wife reported: “I almost fainted
seeing Nunung driving a Kijang automobile.”

“I’m not surprised,” I said arrogantly. Then I told her about Kirman
wearing a jacket, carrying car keys, with his slight pot-belly and his
handphone.

“If that’s so, the person I saw driving the Kijang automobile was indeed
Nunung. Maybe Nunung is now involved in business. She had almost
graduated before, right?” she said.

“Hopefully it’s not the business of party politics,” I said.

Source: Busye, Motinggo. 1999. Dua Tengkorak Kepala. Yogyakarta: Bentang.

FOUR FRIENDS’ ADVENTURES 97