The Story of Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih

What You Need to Know About the Story of Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih: Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih is a popular Indonesian folktale that originates from the island of Java. The story is often compared to the Western tale of Cinderella due to its themes of kindness, hard work, and the triumph of good over evil. Bawang Putih (Garlic) is a kind and diligent girl who is mistreated by her wicked and lazy stepsister, Bawang Merah (Red Onion), and their cruel stepmother. Through her virtue and with the help of a magical fish, Bawang Putih overcomes her hardships and finds happiness and justice. This tale emphasizes the values of kindness, perseverance, and the ultimate reward for good behavior.

The Story

Once upon a time, in a small village in Java, there lived a kind and hardworking girl named Bawang Putih. She lived with her father, who was a kind and gentle man, and her stepmother and stepsister, Bawang Merah, who were both wicked and lazy. After Bawang Putih’s father passed away, her stepmother and stepsister treated her cruelly, forcing her to do all the housework and treating her as a servant.

Bawang Putih remained patient and diligent, despite the constant mistreatment. She would wake up early every morning to cook, clean, and fetch water, while Bawang Merah and her mother idly enjoyed their days, doing nothing to help.

One day, while Bawang Putih was washing clothes in the river, she accidentally lost her stepmother’s favorite shawl. Frightened of the punishment she would receive, she searched desperately along the riverbank but could not find it. As she sat crying by the river, a large, beautiful fish surfaced. The fish spoke to her, offering to help her find the shawl in exchange for some food. Bawang Putih, amazed and grateful, gave the fish some of her lunch.

The fish swam away and soon returned with the lost shawl. Overjoyed, Bawang Putih thanked the fish and returned home. From that day on, she would visit the river regularly to talk to the fish, who became her friend and confidant.

Bawang Merah and her mother, noticing that Bawang Putih seemed happier and less burdened, became suspicious. They followed her to the river one day and discovered her secret. Consumed by jealousy and greed, they captured the magical fish and took it home to cook for their meal.

When Bawang Putih discovered what had happened, she was heartbroken. She mourned the loss of her only friend and continued to endure the cruelty of her stepfamily. One day, as she was burying the fish bones by the river, the spirit of the fish appeared to her. The spirit told her to plant the bones in her garden and promised that she would be rewarded for her kindness.

Bawang Putih did as she was told, and to her astonishment, a beautiful tree bearing golden fruits grew from the spot where she had buried the bones. The fruits were unlike anything she had ever seen, shimmering and precious. Bawang Putih carefully tended the tree, and it soon became known throughout the village for its beauty and rarity.

Bawang Merah and her mother, driven by envy, demanded that Bawang Putih give them some of the golden fruits. When Bawang Putih refused, knowing they would not appreciate or use the fruits wisely, they decided to take the fruits by force. However, as soon as they touched the tree, it withered and died, leaving nothing but barren branches.

The village elders, hearing of the miraculous tree and the greed of Bawang Merah and her mother, decided to intervene. They listened to Bawang Putih’s story and, seeing her kindness and virtue, decided to help her. They provided her with a new home and ensured she would no longer be mistreated by her stepfamily.

In the end, Bawang Putih found happiness and peace. Her stepmother and stepsister, on the other hand, were left to face the consequences of their greed and cruelty. The tale of Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih serves as a reminder that goodness and hard work are always rewarded, while selfishness and wickedness lead to downfall.