I Belog Pengangon Bebek: A Story Of Pan Meri
This story tells of Pan Meri, a duck herder in Bali who once had many healthy, lively ducklings. However, tragedy struck when a deadly disease swept through, killing nearly all of her ducklings, leaving behind just one that was thin, dirty, and weak. Despite the duckling's frail and imperfect condition, Pan Meri cared for it with deep love and patience
There is a story about a duck herder named Pan Meri. He was named Pan Meri because he used to have a lot of ducklings or in Balinese called meri.
However, bad luck could not be avoided, around two hundred of his ducklings died of disease. Only one was left, and that was a very dirty and skinny duckling.
That duckling is now being kept by Pan Meri. Morning and evening, Pan Meri is busy making food for his dirty ducklings. Sometimes he takes them to the river to be bathed so that his ducklings look cleaner.
The duckling is also very diligent with Pan Meri. When Pan Meri is going to cut the sickle, the duckling follows Pan Meri while making a sound "kw.... kw.... kw.... kw..!" Pan Meri is very happy to have such a diligent pet. Even though his pet is dirty and skinny, it is very useful for Pan Meri.
Told in the afternoon. Pan Meri will feed his ducklings then Pan Meri calls his ducklings "ri...ri...ri...ri....", but the ducklings did not come. Pan Meri was confused here and there looking for his ducklings but they did not come. until finally it was almost evening Pan Meri kept looking and still could not find his ducklings. "Oh....... God. Where are my ducklings. why are they not there, where did they go. it's almost evening, it will be night soon, surely you won't see anything". Pan Meri was confused, and sad because his ducklings were not found.
Pan Meri Meeting The Black Figure (Source : Private Collection)
Suddenly Pan Meri arrived at the end of the river under a tamarind tree, there was a large rock. It is estimated that the place is haunted and mystical. When Pan Meri was stunned, suddenly a large black figure came, sturdy and his chest was hairy. his eyes bulged and his teeth were bared. Pan Meri was shocked, scared, wanted to run but his legs were weak and his body was shaking. the large black figure approached Pan Meri. "It's already evening why are you still going here and there? what are you looking for Pan Meri?" that's how the big black figure spoke. "I'm looking for my duckling. It's already evening and he hasn't come home yet. Poor thing, I only have one duckling!" "Ooh... so that's how it is. It's true that this afternoon there was a duckling swimming here. Now I'll get it, wait here!"
The big black figure disappeared behind the rock. Hearing that, Pan Meri was immediately afraid that she would disappear. Pan Meri was happy because his duckling would soon be found. Then the big black figure came carrying a duckling, its feathers were soft, its body was clean and its voice was very melodious. "Is this your duckling, Pan Meri?" "Not my duckling, it's dirty!" The big black figure took out another duckling, now the duckling was fat and clean. If it was sold, it would definitely be expensive. "This is your duckling, Pan Meri?" "No, my duckling is skinny and dirty".
It is said that the big black figure had taken out many ducklings, but Pan Meri always said no. Because it was true that the duckling was not Pan Meri's. After that, the big black figure said again
"Wow..... why not all of them". "Then just take all the ducklings" "Aaahhhh..... I don't dare, it's not mine. I only have one duckling. Skinny and dirty" answered Pan Meri
The Black Figure Talking to Pan Meri (Source : Private Collection)
"This is an honest person, this is the first time I've found someone like Pan Meri. Don't be afraid, I brought the dirty duckling" Because Pan Meri is honest and not greedy, I will give you another duckling. Take good care of it so that it can produce, now take this duckling home!"
Pan Meri was very happy to find his duckling again. Finally, the big black figure disappeared and beside the big rock there was another duckling. Pan Meri thanked him and brought 2 ducklings
It is said that Pan Meri's ducklings had laid eggs. Over time, they hatched and became ducklings. Now Pan Meri has a lot of ducklings and Pan Meri has become rich because she sells ducklings. That's how it is if you are a person who behaves well and honestly, not greedy like Pan Meri, you will definitely get happiness and blessings from God.
