Narrative Text ( Indonesia Legend ) ( The Legend of Nusa Island )

The Legend of Nusa Island

Folklore from Central Kalimantan

A long time ago there was a man named Nusa, he was a farmer. He lived with his wife and his brother. Nusa and his brother were very diligent farmers.

Nusa and other farmers in the village were sad because the rain had not fallen for a very long time. Their rice fi elds were dried. They needed water.

Nusa then decided to ask his family to move to another place. After walking for three days, they finally arrived in a new place. It was very fertile. They had a lot of water because there was a river there.

After they arrived, Nusa looked for something to eat. Later he brought a very big egg. He asked his wife to cook the egg.

After it was cooked, he asked his wife and his brother to eat the egg. However, they refused to eat. They were not sure with the egg. It was very big, Nusa did not care because he was so hungry. After he ate, then he slept.

In the morning Nusa screamed in pain. His wife and brother immediately came to him. They were surprised to see what happened to Nusa. His body was full of scales. His legs changed into a tail.
His body was getting bigger.

“What happened to me?”, He said. “Was it because of the egg I ate last night? Oh my God! Maybe it’s a dragon’s egg. Now I changed into a dragon?

Nusa then asked his wife and brother to move him to the river. He could not walk and move his body on the land. Slowly they tried to pull Nusa’s body. Finally they succeeded.

“Please forgive me, I cannot live with you anymore. I will live in this river, go home and tell people about me. Ask them to be careful with what they eat” said Nusa. Later Nusa disappeared into the river.

Nusa had completely changed into a dragon. He ate fish. All the fish were scared.

Nusa ate a lot of fi sh. The fi sh had to do something. They had to stop Nusa from eating them. They then held a meeting.

“I have an idea,” said a small fi sh. “Just be prepared to attack the dragon when I give you all the sign.”

The small fi sh then came to Nusa. He said, “Master, there is another dragon live in the river. The dragon is bigger and more powerful than you are. He challenges you to fight”, said the small fi sh to Nusa.

“Oh yeah, hmmm I’m the biggest dragon and the most powerful dragon. I will fi ght him!” said Nusa.

Days and nights Nusa was preparing the fight. He was always thinking about his enemy. He could not sleep. He was very tired. When Nusa was sleepy, the small fi sh screamed.

“Master! Your enemy was behind you!”

Nusa turned his big body very fast.His tail was still in front of him. He thought his tail was his enemy. He attacked and bit his own tail and he screamed. Suddenly the small fish said, “Attack!”
Than all the fi sh attacked Nusa.

They all bit Nusa’s body. Nusa tried to save his life. He swam to the river side. But it was too late. He was very weak. Finally he died.

His body slowly changed into an island. People then named the island as Nusa Island.
It’s located at Kahayan River, Central Kalimantan.