Kancil and the Farmer

By: Adien Gunarta

One day, in the outer of forest, the villager opens a new farm
field. The farmer plants some cucumbers there, Kancil
knowing that. Every harvest moon, Kancil come to the field
to eats some cucumbers. The farmer is very angry. The
farmer always tries to catch Kancil but he always fail.

Next harvest moon, he makes a dedemit sawah (see text below)

and set up it in the center of the field. The farmer puts some
trap nearby the dedemit sawah. The following day, Kancil
come to field to eat some cucumbers as usual in the
morning. Kancil see at the dedemit sawah. Kancil think that
is the farmer. Kancil wants to get closer, he feels challenged.
When Kancil touches the farmer, he very surprised. That is
not the farmer, his legs stuck at that. He tries to go but he
cannot do that. The trap is very strong. He screams for help
but nobody hear him. In the afternoon, the farmer comes to
the field for gets Kancil. After that, the farmer brings Kancil
to his house and puts Kancil in the cage. Farmer plans to eat
Kancil for breakfast at the following day.

When sky turns dark, the farmer’s dog came to the cage for
keep Kancil still there. Dog feels bored to keep Kancil
without doing something. So, dog have talking with Kancil.

“Hey Kancil!” said the dog

“Oh, you dog. What’s wrong?” said Kancil
“Why are you right there? My lord commands me to keep
you.” Ask dog
“Oh…Your Lord wants to give me many foods and big party
for me!” answer Kancil
“Really? My lord never does that for me.” Said the dog with
feels jealous
“Oh dog. Do not be sad. How do about we exchange our
position? You here in this cage and I get out there” ask
Kancil
“Are you sure? Okay, I wants it” answer dog
Dog opens the cage and Kancil gets out from cage. Then,
dog enters the cage and Kancil close the cage. Dog is so
happy. Kancil run away quickly to the forest.

In the morning, the farmer is very surprised. When, he looks

at the cage to get Kancil but Kancil is not there. He is very
angry to his dog.

+dedemit sawah is traditional kind of scarecrow. Use for

scare birds, wild pig, monkey or Kancil.

Folktale from: Any places in Indonesia

Category : Fable
Advice : We must to be smart people. If we to be smart
people, we can solve any problems easily. If we
to be a stupid people, we will lose at all.