The Story of Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih
Once upon a time, in a small village in Indonesia, there lived two stepsisters named Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih. Bawang Merah was wicked and jealous of her stepsister's beauty and kindness. She always made Bawang Putih do all the chores while she lazed around. Despite this, Bawang Putih remained patient and kind.
One day, the village held a grand festival, and everyone was invited, including Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih. Bawang Putih asked her stepsister to let her go to the festival, but Bawang Merah refused and tore her dress, making her unable to attend.
Feeling sad, Bawang Putih went to her mother's grave seeking comfort. Suddenly, a magical old woman appeared and asked why she was crying. Bawang Putih told her everything, and the old woman waved her hand over the torn dress, transforming it into a beautiful gown. She then gave Bawang Putih a golden pumpkin and instructed her to return home before midnight.
At the festival, Bawang Putih captivated everyone with her beauty, including a handsome prince. They danced together all night, but as the clock struck midnight, Bawang Putih remembered the old woman's warning and hurried home, leaving behind one of her golden slippers.
The prince searched the village to find the owner of the golden slipper. When he arrived at Bawang Merah's house, she tried to fit her foot into the slipper, but it didn't fit. Finally, Bawang Putih tried it on, and it was a perfect fit. The prince recognized her from the festival and declared her as his bride.
Bawang Merah's jealousy turned into rage, but her wickedness was finally revealed. She was punished for her deceit, while Bawang Putih lived happily ever after with the prince, sharing her kindness and beauty with everyone she met.
Multiple Choice Test:
1. What were the names of the stepsisters?
a) Bawang Hijau and Bawang Kuning
b) Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih
c) Bawang Hitam and Bawang Coklat
d) Bawang Abu and Bawang Ungu
2. Who tore Bawang Putih's dress?
a) Her mother
b) Her stepsister, Bawang Merah
c) The village chief
d) A magical old woman
3. What did the old woman transform Bawang Putih's torn dress into?
a) A rag
b) A beautiful gown
c) A coat
d) A scarf
4. What did the old woman give to Bawang Putih?
a) A golden pumpkin
b) A silver spoon
c) A diamond ring
d) A magical wand
5. What did the prince use to find the owner of the golden slipper?
a) A map
b) A crystal ball
c) A magic mirror
d) The slipper itself
6. Who tried to fit the golden slipper but failed?
a) Bawang Putih
b) The prince
c) Bawang Merah
d) The village chief
7. How did the prince recognize Bawang Putih?
a) By her voice
b) By her smile
c) By her kindness
d) By her golden slipper
8. What happened to Bawang Merah in the end?
a) She became a princess
b) She was punished for her deceit
c) She married the prince
d) She lived happily ever after
9. What lesson can be learned from the story?
a) Kindness is always rewarded
b) Beauty is more important than kindness
c) Jealousy leads to happiness
d) Deceit is the key to success
10. Where did Bawang Putih go to seek comfort?
a) Her stepmother's house
b) Her friend's house
c) Her mother's grave
d) The village market
Essay Test:
- Describe the personality traits of Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih.
- Explain the role of the magical old woman in the story.
- Discuss the significance of the golden slipper in the plot.
- Analyze the impact of jealousy on Bawang Merah's actions.
- How does Bawang Putih demonstrate resilience throughout the story?
- Reflect on the theme of kindness prevailing over cruelty.
- Compare and contrast the characters of Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih.
- Evaluate the prince's character development throughout the story.
- What lessons can readers learn from the consequences of Bawang Merah's actions?
- Discuss the cultural significance of the story of Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih in Indonesian folklore.
Key Answers:
Multiple Choice:
- b) Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih
- b) Her stepsister, Bawang Merah
- b) A beautiful gown
- a) A golden pumpkin
- d) The slipper itself
- c) Bawang Merah
- d) By her golden slipper
- b) She was punished for her deceit
- a) Kindness is always rewarded
- c) Her mother's grave
Key Answer Essay:
- Bawang Merah is depicted as wicked and jealous, while Bawang Putih is portrayed as patient and kind.
- The magical old woman plays a crucial role in transforming Bawang Putih's torn dress and providing her with guidance and assistance.
- The golden slipper serves as a symbol of recognition and helps the prince identify Bawang Putih as his true love.
- Jealousy motivates Bawang Merah to sabotage her stepsister's happiness and leads to her downfall.
- Bawang Putih demonstrates resilience by remaining kind and patient despite facing mistreatment from her stepsister.
- The story emphasizes the triumph of kindness over cruelty, highlighting the importance of compassion and empathy.
- Bawang Merah is selfish and deceitful, while Bawang Putih is selfless and compassionate.
- The prince evolves from being captivated by Bawang Putih's beauty to recognizing her inner qualities and choosing her as his bride.
- The consequences of Bawang Merah's actions illustrate the destructive nature of jealousy and deceit.
- The story reflects cultural values of kindness, resilience, and justice, making it a cherished part of Indonesian folklore.
