Kancil And Crocodile: A Classic Indonesian Folktale

Once upon a time, in the heart of the Indonesian rainforest, lived a cunning and resourceful mouse deer named Kancil. This tiny creature was known throughout the jungle for his wit and intelligence, often using his sharp mind to outsmart larger and more powerful animals. One sunny morning, Kancil found himself facing a particularly tricky problem: he needed to cross a wide and treacherous river, teeming with hungry crocodiles. The river was the only way to reach the lush fruit orchard on the other side, a place Kancil had been dreaming about for days, envisioning the juicy mangoes and sweet bananas that awaited him. But how could he possibly cross without becoming a crocodile's lunch? Kancil knew he had to come up with a clever plan, and fast. He wandered along the riverbank, his little brain working overtime, searching for a solution that would allow him to outsmart the ferocious reptiles lurking beneath the murky water. He needed to use his greatest asset, his intelligence, to overcome this obstacle and reach the delicious treats on the other side. Kancil surveyed the situation, observing the crocodiles as they basked lazily in the sun, their eyes half-closed, pretending to be harmless logs. He knew that underestimating these creatures would be a fatal mistake. Each crocodile was a potential threat, a set of snapping jaws waiting to devour him. He had to be careful, strategic, and utterly convincing in his approach. With a deep breath and a twinkle in his eye, Kancil began to put his plan into action. He called out to the crocodiles, his voice clear and confident, as if he were announcing the most important news of the day. This caught the attention of the crocodile chief, a large and grumpy reptile named Baya, who was known for his short temper and even shorter patience. Baya emerged from the water, his massive head rising above the surface, and glared at Kancil with suspicion. "What do you want, little deer?" Baya grumbled, his voice like the rumble of distant thunder. "Can't you see we're trying to rest?"

Kancil's Clever Plan

Kancil, never one to be intimidated, maintained his composure and addressed Baya with a polite bow. "Oh, great Baya," he said, his voice filled with false respect, "I come bearing an important message from the King!" This immediately piqued Baya's interest. The King's word was law, and any message from him was to be taken seriously. "What message?" Baya asked, his curiosity overriding his annoyance. Kancil continued his charade, weaving a tale of royal decrees and grand celebrations. "The King has ordered a census of all the crocodiles in the river," Kancil announced, puffing out his chest. "He wants to know exactly how many of you there are!" Baya was taken aback. A census? Why would the King want to count them? But he dared not question the King's motives. "And what do we have to do?" Baya asked, his voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. Kancil smiled inwardly, knowing his plan was working perfectly. "The King wants all of you to line up across the river," Kancil explained, "so that I can count you accurately. You must be close enough to each other so that I can hop from one back to another as I count. This is the only way to ensure an accurate count for the King!" Baya considered the request. It sounded a bit strange, but he couldn't find any obvious reason to refuse. After all, it was an order from the King. He turned to his fellow crocodiles, who were now gathered around him, listening intently to the conversation. "What do you think?" Baya asked them. The crocodiles exchanged glances, unsure of what to make of Kancil's request. But none of them dared to openly defy the King's supposed order. Finally, Baya nodded in agreement. "Alright, little deer," he said, "we will do as the King commands." Kancil's eyes sparkled with triumph. He had successfully manipulated the crocodiles into playing right into his hands. Now, all he had to do was execute the final part of his plan. "Excellent!" Kancil exclaimed. "Now, please line up across the river, as close as possible, so that I can begin the counting process." The crocodiles, eager to please the King and avoid any potential repercussions, began to arrange themselves across the river, forming a living bridge from one side to the other. Baya took his place at the front of the line, his massive body stretching across a significant portion of the river. The other crocodiles followed suit, each one positioning themselves as close as possible to their neighbor, creating a continuous path for Kancil to traverse.

Kancil Crosses the River

With the crocodiles lined up perfectly, Kancil took a deep breath and prepared to make his move. He hopped onto Baya's back, his tiny hooves carefully avoiding the crocodile's rough scales. "One!" Kancil shouted as he landed on Baya's back, pretending to count. He then leaped onto the back of the next crocodile, and the next, continuing his charade. "Two! Three! Four!" he called out, his voice echoing across the river. As he hopped from one crocodile to the next, Kancil was secretly rejoicing. His plan was working flawlessly, and he was getting closer and closer to the other side of the river with each jump. The crocodiles, meanwhile, remained still and patient, believing they were fulfilling the King's important request. They had no idea that Kancil was using them as stepping stones to reach the delicious fruit orchard. Kancil continued his journey across the river, counting each crocodile as he went. "Twenty! Twenty-one! Twenty-two!" he shouted, his voice growing louder as he neared the opposite bank. The crocodiles remained motionless, their eyes fixed on the horizon, patiently waiting for Kancil to finish his task. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Kancil reached the last crocodile. He leaped onto the riverbank, his heart filled with joy and relief. He had successfully crossed the treacherous river without becoming a crocodile's dinner! But Kancil couldn't resist the urge to taunt the crocodiles one last time. He turned to face them, a mischievous grin on his face, and shouted, "Thank you, foolish crocodiles, for helping me cross the river! I wasn't really counting you for the King; I just wanted to get to the fruit orchard!" The crocodiles were stunned. They had been tricked! Baya, the crocodile chief, was furious. He had been duped by a tiny mouse deer! He roared with anger, his voice shaking the very foundations of the riverbank. "Get him!" Baya bellowed, his eyes blazing with rage. "Don't let him get away!" The crocodiles thrashed in the water, attempting to catch Kancil, but it was too late. Kancil had already disappeared into the lush fruit orchard, leaving the angry crocodiles behind, seething with humiliation.

The Moral of the Story

Safely inside the orchard, Kancil feasted on the juicy mangoes and sweet bananas, savoring his victory. He had outsmarted the crocodiles, proving that intelligence and wit can overcome even the most daunting obstacles. The tale of Kancil and the crocodiles serves as a timeless reminder that cleverness and resourcefulness can be more powerful than brute strength. It teaches us that even the smallest and seemingly weakest among us can triumph over adversity by using their minds. This classic Indonesian folktale has been passed down through generations, captivating audiences with its entertaining story and valuable life lesson. It highlights the importance of thinking outside the box, using our intelligence to solve problems, and never underestimating the power of a clever plan. The story of Kancil and the crocodiles also teaches us about the dangers of arrogance and the importance of not underestimating others. The crocodiles, confident in their size and strength, were easily tricked by Kancil's cunning. They allowed their pride to cloud their judgment, making them vulnerable to Kancil's deception. In the end, it was Kancil's intelligence and quick thinking that allowed him to succeed, while the crocodiles' arrogance led to their humiliation. So, the next time you face a difficult challenge, remember the story of Kancil and the crocodiles. Use your wit, be resourceful, and never give up. You might just surprise yourself with what you can achieve. Just like Kancil, you too can overcome obstacles and achieve your goals with a little bit of cleverness and a well-thought-out plan. And remember, never underestimate the power of a good story. Folktales like this one are not just entertaining; they are valuable sources of wisdom and inspiration, teaching us important lessons about life, courage, and the power of the human spirit. So, let us continue to share these stories with future generations, ensuring that the wisdom of Kancil and the crocodiles lives on for many years to come.