A Balinese Folktale: Ragu
Sunday, May 6th, 2007 by Sidarta WijayaSri Darmapuja, King of Jodyanegara, had a beautiful daughter named Rajaputri. One day she was looking out the watch-tower when she saw an incredibly beautiful youth standing among the crowd. She was so enchanted by his beauty that she sent her maid Warsiki to find out who he was. It appeared that he was the headman’s son, and his name was Ragu. The princess fell madly in love with him and would neither eat nor drink. At last she could bear it no longer, and sent Warsiki to tell him he must come to her that every night. Ragu obeyed, and they passed a rapturous night together. Every night he came to her, till one day he was seen by another maid-servant, who told the king what was going on.
The king was furious. He called the headman and priest together, and debated with them how Ragu should be punished. Most of them were opinion that he should be thrown into the sea, according to ancient custom. But one priest said that would be too quick and easy death, and advised sending him away in search of “the horned elephant fish with pig’s feet”.
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