Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih

Bawang Putih lived with her stepmother and her stepsister, Bawang Merah. Bawang Putih's mother had died when she was a baby. Her father remarried another woman, and later her stepsister was born. Unfortunately, not long after that, her father also passed away. Since then, Bawang Putih’s life had been sad. Her stepmother and stepsister treated Bawang Putih badly, constantly forcing her to do all the household chores.

One morning, while Bawang Putih was washing some clothes in the river, her stepsister approached her.

"Hurry up, Bawang Putih!" Bawang Merah snapped. "We need those clothes cleaned now!"

"I'm doing my best, Bawang Merah," Bawang Putih replied softly.

As she continued washing, one of her mother’s clothes accidentally got swept away by the current.

"Oh no!" Bawang Putih gasped. "Mother’s clothes!"

Terrified of what her stepmother might say, Bawang Putih decided to walk along the riverbank to search for the clothes. Eventually, she met an old woman who was holding the lost garment.

"Excuse me, Ma'am," Bawang Putih said politely. "Did you find this by the river?"

The old woman smiled. "Yes, I did. But I’ll only give it back if you help me with some household chores."

Bawang Putih nodded eagerly. "Of course, I’d be happy to help."

After Bawang Putih finished helping, the old woman handed her the clothes. "Here you go, dear," she said. "And take this as a gift for your kindness." The old woman then offered her two pumpkins—one small and one large.

"You may choose one," the old woman said with a warm smile.

Bawang Putih, not wanting to be greedy, chose the small pumpkin. "Thank you very much," she said, bowing respectfully. Then she headed home.

When she arrived home, her stepmother and Bawang Merah were waiting, their faces filled with anger.

"Where have you been, Bawang Putih?" her stepmother scolded. "We’ve been waiting all day!"

"I'm sorry, Stepmother," Bawang Putih said, trembling. "I lost one of Mother’s clothes in the river, but an old woman found it and gave me this pumpkin as a gift."

"A pumpkin?" Bawang Merah sneered. "That’s all you brought back?"

In a fit of rage, her stepmother grabbed the pumpkin and smashed it on the floor. To their shock, the pumpkin burst open, revealing glittering jewelry inside.

"What is this?" Bawang Merah exclaimed, eyes wide with greed.

Her stepmother’s eyes lit up. "Bawang Merah, go to the river and throw my clothes into the water. Find the old woman and make sure you get the big pumpkin!"

Bawang Merah nodded eagerly and hurried to the river. After throwing her mother’s clothes into the water, she waited until the old woman appeared.

"Did you lose something, my dear?" the old woman asked.

"Yes, my mother’s clothes," Bawang Merah replied impatiently. "But I don't have time to help you. Just give me the big pumpkin and let me go."

The old woman frowned slightly but handed Bawang Merah the large pumpkin. Without even thanking her, Bawang Merah ran back home.

When she arrived, her mother was waiting anxiously.

"Did you get the big pumpkin?" her mother asked.

"Of course, Mother!" Bawang Merah said, grinning.

Without hesitation, her mother grabbed the pumpkin and smashed it on the floor. But instead of jewelry, a swarm of snakes slithered out, hissing and writhing across the room.

They both screamed in terror, scrambling away from the snakes.

"Mom!" Bawang Merah cried, shaking with fear. "I think God is punishing us! We’ve treated Bawang Putih so badly, and now this is our punishment!"

Her mother, equally terrified, nodded in agreement. "You’re right. We must apologize to Bawang Putih."

The next morning, they approached Bawang Putih with their heads bowed.

"Bawang Putih, we’re so sorry for the way we’ve treated you," her stepmother said, her voice trembling. "Can you ever forgive us?"

Bawang Putih looked at them kindly. "I forgive you," she said softly. "Let’s put the past behind us and live together in peace."

From that day on, they all lived harmoniously. The family was no longer poor, as Bawang Putih decided to sell the jewelry and used the money to support their daily lives.