Lutung & Kekua: The Deceptive Dance of Kencur Thieves

The Cunning Thieves (Source: Personal Collection)

In the lush and vibrant garden of Gurun Iluh Manik, a wise but stern old man, a mischievous Lutung and Kekua secretly dig for kencur, a precious herb. Their covert actions, driven by greed and hunger, are suddenly interrupted by the arrival of Gurun Iluh. As the owner approaches, the Lutung, quick and nimble, scrambles up a tree, vanishing into the thick, concealing foliage. Meanwhile, the Kekua, slower but no less cunning, retreats into the safety of a coconut shell, hoping to remain undetected. Tension hangs in the air as they both await the inevitable confrontation with the furious garden’s master.

Gurun Iluh, now in the middle of his garden, brandishes a gleaming blade, his anger palpable. He prowls around with sharp and suspicious eyes, uttering menacing threats. The Lutung and Kekua cower in their hiding places, knowing that if discovered, their fate would be dire. The Lutung, hidden high in the branches, grows desperate and begins to sing a melodious tune, guiding Gurun Iluh straight to the Kekua’s hiding spot beneath the coconut shell.

The Capture Of Kekua (Source: Personal Collection)

With a triumphant gleam in his eyes, Gurun Iluh flips the shell and finds the Kekua underneath. His anger turns to satisfaction as he captures the Kekua and marches back to his house, the fate of the Kekua seemingly sealed. The Lutung, left behind in the tree, watches with a mixture of guilt and relief. Back at the house, Gurun Iluh instructs his daughter, Luh Ayu Manik, a quick and capable late-teen girl, to prepare a feast using the captured Kekua. The Kekua, once a humble thief, is now destined to be part of an elaborate meal offered to their ancestors, as pork is no longer fit for offerings due to a plague affecting the pigs.

Strangely, the Kekua does not feel despair but instead receives this new twist of fate with unexpected contentment. It even imagines a life of respect and comfort, mistakenly believing that it might be treated kindly in this household. Meanwhile, from a distance, the Lutung, now gripped by hunger and envy, pleads with the Kekua to switch places. With desperation, the Lutung offers a bargain to escape its own plight.

A Desperate Exchange (Source: Personal Collection)

Touched by the Lutung’s desperation, the Kekua eventually agrees but not before securing a promise that the Lutung will leave some food behind for it. In an act of solidarity, the Kekua steps out of the cage and the Lutung takes its place. As they switch roles, the garden scene changes. The Lutung now finds itself in the luxurious spot the Kekua once occupied, filled with hope for food and comfort, while the Kekua resigns itself away from the cage.

Later, Luh Ayu Manik returns to the cage to check on her culinary prize, only to find the Lutung instead of the Kekua. Her shock quickly gives way to confusion, and she calls for her father. When Gurun Iluh arrives, the truth of the switch is revealed. Despite his frustration, the old man decides to shift his focus. He abandons the idea of cooking the Kekua and prepares to cook the Lutung instead.

Faced with the impending threat of being cooked alive, the Lutung, in a desperate bid to save itself, offers Gurun Iluh advice on how to properly prepare its meat. It warns that its flesh will be bitter if not cooked with care, hoping to buy time or even escape through trickery. Gurun Iluh, suspicious but willing to try anything, follows the Lutung’s advice. However, as he begins cooking, an accident causes a fire to break out, quickly spreading through the house.

The Inferno (Source: Personal Collection)

The fire consumes the house, leading to the ultimate ruin of Gurun Iluh’s plans. The Lutung, seizing the chaos as an opportunity, makes its escape, leaving behind the smoldering remains and a hard lesson learned in the unpredictable, ever-shifting dance of fate.