THE BLUE BLOOD OF THE BIG ASTANA

The story started when Jafaar’s aunt Babo decided to turn him over to the Datu because Babo cannot
support him. Datus those days are supposd to take charge of the poor and helpless. At first, Jafaar could
not bear the thought of separation from his aunt. Babo coaxed him and explained things to him. She
said that Jafaar can have everything he wanted in the Datu’s house and that thought made him stopped
crying. In the afternoon, Babo bathed him and told the do’s and don’t’s in the big house. On their way
going there, Babo told many things about the Datu’s daughter, Dayang- Dayang who has a blue blood.
Being a child, Jafaar asked Babo if he is allowed to prick the skin of the Datu’s daughter to see if she
really had a blue blood. But Babo ignored him. They reached the big house, Babo told him that they call
it Astana, the house of Datu. Babo stopped for a while to clean Jafaar’s harelip. That moment, he saw
Dayang- dayang for the very first time she was laughing and made Jafaar to wonder what’s funny. He
thought that his harelip is the reason. He wanted to ask but he was afraid so he just joined her laughing.
Babo told him to kiss Dayang- dayang’s right hand. He kissed her hand she withdraw at once. That
moment, he knew that he like dayang- dayang. Dayang- dayang welcomed them and guided to the Datu.
Jafaar kissed the Datu’s feet, thought that the Datu will be tickled by his harelip but he was wrong. The
Datu seems to be serious and has a blank face. Jafaar did the same thing to the Datu’s wife. They started
to discuss things. Dayang- dayang playfully asked Babo what happened to Jafaar’s harelip. Babo said that
his mother slipped into yenta on her sixth month carrying a child. The result, Jafaar’s harelip.

Babo needs to go, Dayang- dayang asked Jafaar if he will be happy to stay with them. Jafaar answered
yes without assurance but Babo assured him. Babo went home and Jafaar did not cry as he promised.
Days passed, Babo came every week to see Jafaar, Dayang- dayang had a lot of things to tell with her.
She told that Jafaar’s place of sleep has a strong smell of urine and that made Babo threw a rallying
criticism so Jafaar just promised not to wet his mat again. Babo continued to se Jafaar until death took
her away. Jafaar wep but he needs to be strong, he was Dayang- dayang’s favorite. The wheel of the
time continued to roll, and they also made so many memories together. Sometimes, Jafaar wanted to
whip by Dayang- dayang just to differentiate his laughter and tears.

When Dayang- dayang was seven years old, she was sent to Mohammedan school. Jafaar was not sent
with him but he knew that by carrying her red Koran on top of his head can entertain her. He became an
Epang- epang, a servant- escort to Dayang- dayang. Every day, he was walking slowly behind Dayang-
dayang he was inspired that he could trail his inspiration continually even to the ends of the world.

Dayang- dayang’s Koran- chanting lasted for three years. Her goro said that she was slow until
sometimes she wanted to whip her but she knows that she was the Datu’s daughter. She found a
convenient substitute, and it was Jafaar. Every time she whip Jafaar, the class roared with laughter led
by Dayang- dayang. When they reached home, Dayang- dayang was already being tortured for
maidenhood. Jafaar wondered what made her grow so fast, while he was remained a lunatic dwarf. That
night, when Jafaar was in bed, he lustfully created images in his mind a full grown Dayang- dayang
reclining in her bed naked. He wondered if he can say that he was starving and thirst for Dayang-dayang
but the thought of her who has a blue blood stopped him. He was just a servant and he must not go
beyond his little border.

A young Datu came to ask for Dayang- dayang’s hand. Her appah was glad to welcome him. He was
handsome and rich too. He has a large track of land planted with fruit trees, coconut trees and abaca
plant. He was growing old and he has no child to take his place someday. Dayang- dayang was happy
too. Jafaars became jealous and he could not accept the fact that Dayang- dayang will marry someone.
However, he did talk he just kept his feelings. Datu ordered to build two additional wings to their astana.
It had to be enlarged for the wedding day because hundreds od people will come to witness the royal
wedding, the additional wings were finished in just one day.

The royal day came. People crowded the Astana to help with the religious slaughtering of cows and
goats. As evening drawing near, many people came, those could not be accommodate upstairs had to
stay below. The wedding ceremony started, Jafaar, being small successfully got a place where he can see
a full view of Dayang- dayang. Dayang- dayang was about to cry because she will be separated to her
parents soon but when she unexpectedly caught a glimpse of Jafaar, she smiled and that because of his
harelip. It amused her again. Jafaar smiled back and withdrew at once because he could not bear seeing
Dayang- dayang sitting beside the young Datu. He left the wedding ceremony without knowing where
he will go.

Seven years later, Jafaar went to Bonbon for business. He became a successful man and that is because
he worked hard. While Dayang- dayang’s husband raised hand against the Christian government. His
lands were confiscated as well as Dayang- dayang’s to live in. Jafaar could not believe that it is Dayang-
dayang. At first, Dayang- dayang could not recognize Jafaar but when she saw his harelip, she knew that
it was him. One of Dayang- dayang’s son came and ask who is he, Jafaar said that he is the old servant of
Dayang- dayang. Jafaar and Dayang- dayang kept silent for a while until Dayang- dayang started to ask
things. Jafaar observed that she is no longer that pretty blue blood physically. Her present life is the
reminder of her past, the mere ghost. Jafaar tried his best to revived their old memories but Dayang-
dayang cried not letting Jafaar saw that. Jafaar knew that she is crying because of her shoulders he felt
guilty for coming there and made cry. Jafaar asked Dayang- dayang’s permission to leave. She did not
answer yes but her head nod a sign for him to leave. He was about to leave when he felt he needs to go
back forgetting his real purpose. He wanted to go but he can’t because he knew that he has no blue
blood, he only has his harelip. He knew that not even the fingers of Allah could weave them into
equality.

PLOT:
Introduction: Jafaar was turned over to the Datu because his aunt cannot support him.
Rising action: Jafaar realized that he liked Dayang- dayang the moment he kissed her right hand but
he knew that he has no blue blood.
Climax: Dayang- dayang was married to a young Datu.
Falling action: Jafaar went to Bonbon for business and saw Dayang- dayang with her children.
End: Jafaar stopped himself from running back to Dayang- dayang because he still has no blue
blood.

CHARACTER ANALYSIS:
CHARACTERS ROLES PLAYED FULLNESS OF CHANGES
DEVELOPMENT UNDERGONE
Jafaar Protagonist Flat Dynamic
Dayang- dayang Confidant/ Protagonist Round Dynamic
Datu Stock Flat Static
Young datu Stock Flat Static
Babo confidant Flat Static
Ambon stock Flat static

ELEMENTS OF THE STORY:

Conflict: Jafaar cannot confess his love to Dayang- dayang because he has no blue blood.
Point of view: First point of view
Mood: Sad
Tone: Serious
Method of Characterization: Direct
Setting: Astana
Theme: Life of the Muslims
Symbols: Blue blood- superiority
Harelip- normal life
Moral: Always fight for the person you love.