Lutung Kasarung (New Version)

Once upon a time, there was a kingdom led by a wise king named Prabu Tapak Agung. He had two beautiful daughters named Purbararang and Purbasari. When he was close to his death, the king chose his youngest daughter named Purnasari as his successor.

“I am too old to lead this kingdom, it is time for me to give up the throne to my daughter,” said the king.

“Who will replace you lead this kingdom, my king?” asked his Patih.

“I choose my youngest daughter Purbasari as my successor”, replied the king.

Purbararang which is the elder sister did not agree with the king’s decision. She was upset and angry.

“I am his eldest daughter. He should choose me as his successor,” grumbled Purbararang to her fiancée named Indrajaya.

“The throne should be yours. You are more deserving than your sister!” answered Indrajaya.

Hearing Indrajaya’s incitement, Purbararang got angrier and intended to harm his sister. Then she asked an evil witch to curse Purbasari

“Ooo witch, I want you to curse my sister Purbasari”, Said Purbararang.

“Hihihihhi ok, I will carry out your request,” replied the witch.

Then the witch’s spell Purbasari. She turned Purbasari’s skin which was smooth and soft became mottled-black spots. After Purbasari becoming ugly, Purbararang expelled her sister.

“Go away! A disgusting people like you do not deserve to be a queen! “, Said Purbararang.

“But, I am your sister, please do not expel me” pleaded Purbasari.

Purbarang still rejected it and asked Patih to take Purbasari

“You cannot be here, you still have to go from here, Patih take her into the woods!”

Then Patih brought Purbasari into the woods. “My princess, you have to be patient. God will always be with you and help you” advised Patih.

“Thank you “, said Purbasari.

There, Purbasari was accompanied by animals that were always kind to her. Among the animals, there was a mysterious black hairy ape named Lutung Kasarung. The ape was very attentive and always cheered Purbasari.

“Uuaak uuakk, princess, you do not be sad. I will always accompany you here” said the Ape while gave a flower to Purbasari. The princess did not know that the Ape was a powerful man who had been condemned to be an ape.

At full moon night, Lutung Kasarung begged something to the Gods. “Oh god, please remove the curse from Princess Purbasari” Not long afterwards, there appeared a small lake; the water was very clear and fragrant.

The next day, Lutung Kasarung met Purbasari and asked her to bathe in the lake.

“Uuakkk uuaakkk princess, you have to go into the small lake”

“Why do I have to go there?” asked Purbasari.

“Uuakk uuaakkk. It would eliminate the curse that is in you”, replied Kasarung.

Then the princess entered into the lake and bathed. When Purba Sari was bathing, something magical happened. Princess’s skin became clean as before and she became beautiful again. Purbasari was very surprised and excited when she looked herself in the lake.

The news about Purba Sari finally arrived to the Palace. Then Patih also asked the Princes Purbasari to return to the palace.

“Ooo my princess, I was asked by the king to take you to the palace”, begged the patih.

“I will go back to the palace, if this Ape comes with me,” replied the princess.

Finally her Request was accepted and they went to the palace.

Knowing Purbasari had returned to the palace, Purbaraang became angry. She challenged Purbasari for hair long contest.

“Hey my sister, let’s see who has the longest hair, the one who has the longest hair will win and deserved this throne”, Said Purbararang.

At first, Purbasari did not want to, but she did it because she was forced to do it by her sister. Finally, It turns Purbasari has the longest hair.

Purbararang was upset and she challenged Purbasari one more time.

“Well I lost, but a queen should have a handsome and dashing fiancé. While you do not have it”, insulted Purbaraang.

“It is my fiancé!” Replied Purbasari.

Everyone in the palace was laughing including Purbararang.

“Hhhahah how can a queen has a fiancé like an Ape” sneered Purbararang.

Then Lutung Kasarung turned into a handsome man. He was more handsome than Indrajaya. Everyone in the palace, including Purbasari shocked. She didn’t believe that the ape that had accompanied her during this time was a man.

“I was a man who had been condemned to be apes. But I’ve become human again thanks to Princess Purbasari “, said Lutung Kasarung.

Purbararang finally admitted her defeat and guilty. She apologized to her sister and begged not to be punished. Purbasari kindly forgive them. After the incident Purbasari became a queen, accompanied by a man that is Lutung Kasarung.