Reading Activity 1

Dewi Sri The Goddess of Rice

           Long time ago, there were no rice plants on Java Island. The people only grew cassava for their daily food. A young man was permitted to visit heaven to chat with the gods. He was walking on the clouds to heaven.

           Once the young man went to heaven, he saw the gods' dining food that he had not seen on earth. It was rice. At that time, rice was the food of the gods. The fragrant smell of the rice

made the youth's mouth water. He wished to taste the delicious rice. He went to see Dewi Sri, the Goddess of Rice. He begged Dewi Sri permission to stay in heaven and to learn to grow rice. He said, "Dewi Sri, Goddess of Rice. I beg to be permitted to stay for a while in heaven. Please allow me to help you plant your rice. Even if I get only a handful of rice."

           Dewi Sri agreed. "Did you know that rice comes from this plant?" She showed him a rice plant. "You may work here and learn to be a farmer and cultivate rice." Dewi Sri taught the youth how to plant rice. First, she taught him how to plough the rice field with a tool to turn over the soil. It was called waluku. Then she taught him how to soften the soil with a harrow called a garu. The youth was also learned how to irrigate, raise seedlings, plant, and harvest. When the rice plant ripened, the goddess showed him how to cut the stalk using a small palm-held reaping knife called an ani-ani and how to pound the rice in a rice mortar called lesung. When all of this work was done, the youth was at last allowed to taste a handful of the rice. He said that it was delicious food.

           After several years, the young man decided to go back home to earth. The young man asked permission to go down to earth to visit his family and friends, whom he had not seen in such a long time. Dewi Sri agreed. But very early in the morning, without the gods' knowledge, the young man took several ripe rice stalks. He carried them with him to earth.

           Arriving on earth, the youth planted the rice grains just the way he had learned in heaven. The rice grew rapidly. He worked hard and his plants developed well. As soon as he had a harvest, he gave rice seeds to all of his neighbours and showed them how to plant and care for the rice. Eventually all places on Java Island were covered with rice plants. When the rice was ripening for harvest, a golden yellow colour covered the entire land of Java Island.

           One day the gods came to visit earth. How startled they were to see golden rice plants stretching in all directions. They hurried back to heaven and reported to Dewi Sri. The gods were furious because rice was planted only in heaven.

           Dewi Sri knew this must be because of the youth who had helped grow rice in heaven. He must have stolen the rice seeds when he left heaven. She soon met that young man. At first Dewi Sri was angry, "Young man, why did you steal rice? This is the food of the gods." "Forgive me, Dewi Sri," said the youth. "I did take rice seeds back from heaven without asking permission first. I did not do this for my own interest, Dewi Sri. I used it for the benefit of all the people on Java Island. I shared with them the rice seeds so that they also could taste delicious rice. I know I have angered you, Dewi Sri. I am willing to accept punishment for what I have done."

           Dewi Sri's anger subsided. "I forgive you," replied Dewi Sri. "But you should always ask permission first and not take things by stealing. As punishment for this, I will never allow another human to come to heaven, the place where the gods live. You will be allowed to cultivate this rice. Take good care of it just as I have taught you. Let the birds also enjoy a bit of the delicious rice. Don't kill them, because the birds are the beloved animals of the gods. If you don't pay attention to my orders, I will send natural calamities to destroy your work." That was Dewi Sri's advice.

             Before Dewi Sri flew back to heaven, she spoke once more. "In order to make the rice plants grow best, follow nature's rules. Plant the rice at the right time. I will give a sign from heaven by dropping jasmine flowers from my hair bun. These flowers will become waluku stars (Orion). This is the sign that the season for planting has come.". "Thank you, Dewi Sri, I'll remember all your advice," replied the youth. 

                                                 Adapted from: http://asianfolktales.unescoapceiu.org/folktales/read/indonesia_2.htm, 

accessed on January 13th, 2022, at 2.13 p.m.