LEGEND OF SAND LAKE | MOUNT LAWU

Kyai Pasir and Nyai Pasir were a husband and wife who lived in the forest on the slopes of Mount Lawu, specifically on the eastern side of the mountain. They resided in a simple hut they built themselves from forest wood and leaves for the roof. Despite their modest dwelling, Kyai Pasir and Nyai Pasir felt safe and comfortable living there. They were not worried about potential dangers, such as attacks from wild animals, because they had lived in the forest for a long time and were very familiar with their surroundings. They were confident they could face any threats that might come their way.

One day, Kyai Pasir went into the forest to cultivate their field, which was their daily source of livelihood. The field was filled with large trees, so Kyai Pasir had to cut down some of them before he could start planting. As he chopped down the large trees one by one, his eyes suddenly caught something unusual beneath one of the trees.

“What is this?” Kyai Pasir muttered as he approached the object that had caught his attention.

Under the tree, he found a chicken egg lying on the ground. Kyai Pasir examined the egg carefully, wondering to himself, “What kind of egg is this? Where did it come from? There are no birds around here.”

“This egg is very strange. There are no birds here, so why is there an egg?” he muttered suspiciously.

After thinking for a moment, Kyai Pasir decided to take the egg home and give it to Nyai Pasir. Upon arriving home, he handed the egg to his wife and told her how he had found it in the middle of the forest.

“Nyai, look what I found in the forest!” exclaimed Kyai Pasir, showing her the egg.

Nyai Pasir looked at the egg curiously. “What kind of egg is this, Kakang? Where did it come from?” she asked in surprise.

“I found it under a big tree I was about to chop down. There were no signs of birds or other animals around. Strange, isn't it?” replied Kyai Pasir, shaking his head.

“Hmm, maybe this is nature’s blessing for us. How about we just boil the egg? It could be a blessing,” suggested Nyai Pasir with a smile.

They both agreed to boil the found egg. Once cooked, they divided the egg in half. Nyai Pasir gave half of the egg to her husband, and Kyai Pasir ate it eagerly.

“This egg tastes good, it’s different,” said Kyai Pasir as he chewed with satisfaction.

“Yes, it’s really delicious. There seems to be something special about this egg,” added Nyai Pasir.

After finishing the egg, Kyai Pasir prepared to return to the field to continue his work cutting down trees and planting.

“Nyai, I’m going back to the field. Be careful at home,” said Kyai Pasir as he left.

“All right, Kakang. Take care,” replied Nyai Pasir, waving her hand.

On his way to the field, Kyai Pasir could still taste the deliciousness of the egg he had just eaten. However, upon arriving at the field, he suddenly felt his body grow hot, stiff, and extremely painful. His vision began to blur, and cold sweat drenched his entire body. The pain struck so suddenly that Kyai Pasir could not bear it and fell to the ground.

“What is happening to me?” Kyai Pasir cried weakly, feeling his body grow heavier.

With the pain becoming unbearable, Kyai Pasir rolled on the ground in agony. In his critical condition, Kyai Pasir’s body suddenly transformed into a large dragon with long whiskers and horns. The dragon kept rolling around without stopping, looking terrifying.

Meanwhile, at home, Nyai Pasir, who had also eaten half of the egg, began to feel the same. Her body felt hot, stiff, and extremely painful. Confused, she ran around aimlessly, trying to find help.

“Why is my body so hot and painful?” Nyai Pasir screamed in panic.

Desperate, Nyai Pasir decided to run to the field to find her husband.

“Kakang! Kakang! Help me!” Nyai Pasir shouted as she ran with great difficulty.

However, upon reaching the field, she did not find Kyai Pasir, but instead, a large and frightening dragon. Nyai Pasir was shocked and terrified.

“What is this? Where is Kakang Pasir? Why is there such a big dragon here?” Nyai Pasir thought in horror.

But the pain she felt grew worse until she could no longer stand it and collapsed to the ground. In an instant, her body also transformed into a large dragon with whiskers, horns, and long, sharp teeth that looked terrifying.

The two dragons continued to roll and thrash wildly on the field, causing the ground around them to become damaged and sunken as if dug out. The depressions grew deeper and wider as the dragons continued to thrash about fiercely.

Suddenly, from the deep, wide depressions, water gushed out forcefully, spurting in all directions. In an instant, the depression was filled with water, and Kyai Pasir’s field turned into a large lake.

“Nyai! It’s us… we have changed!” shouted the dragon that was once Kyai Pasir.

“Yes, Kakang… What has happened to us?” replied Nyai Pasir, who had also turned into a dragon.

Unable to return to their previous lives, the two dragons decided to stay at the lake, which was now their new home. Despite their terrifying appearances, Kyai Pasir and Nyai Pasir still retained their human hearts and minds. They chose to live quietly in the lake, away from humans, to avoid frightening anyone.

As time went on, stories about the mysterious lake and its two guardian dragons began to spread among the local villagers. Some people who were brave enough ventured to the lake to see the dragons for themselves. To their surprise, they found that the dragons were not harmful but rather gentle and kind. People began to regard Kyai Pasir and Nyai Pasir as the protectors of the lake and its surrounding area.

The villagers, realizing that the lake had a mystical aura and that the dragons were watching over them, started to bring offerings to the lake, such as flowers, fruits, and food, as a sign of respect and gratitude. They believed that the lake, now known as Telaga Pasir, was a sacred place blessed by the gods, and the dragons were divine beings tasked with protecting the land.

Kyai Pasir and Nyai Pasir, in their dragon forms, continued to guard the lake, ensuring that it remained pure and that the surrounding environment thrived. Over time, Telaga Pasir became a symbol of harmony and balance between humans and nature. The story of Kyai Pasir and Nyai Pasir was passed down through generations, teaching people about the importance of respecting nature and living in harmony with all living beings.

To this day, Telaga Pasir is considered a sacred site, a testament to the enduring spirit of Kyai Pasir and Nyai Pasir, the guardians of the lake who, in their mythical forms, continue to inspire reverence, respect, and awe among all who visit. The lake remains a tranquil place where people can come to find peace, reflect, and connect with the natural world. Telaga Pasir, with its serene waters and the ever-watchful guardian dragons, stands as a reminder of the transformation of Kyai Pasir and Nyai Pasir, who, despite their fate, chose to live a life of peace and protection for their beloved land.