Thursday 26 February 2009

Bungklang Bungkling: CHILDREN

Taken from ‘Bungklang Bungkling’, ‘Butuh’, in Bali Post,
Sunday, 22nd February, 2009,
a column by I Wayan Juniartha
Translated by Putu Semiada





Children

I Made Krosokan has not showed up for five days to the palm toddy stall. Therefore everybody is surprised having seen Made sitting there. He is holding and rubbing the palm toddy bottle, as if he did it for his wife. It seems Made is hunger for palm toddy.

“What were you dreaming last night, Made. You are here very early and already having a bottle of palm toddy. You’ve never liked this before” I Wayan Semara Dudu asks.

“Made might be a ‘caleg’ now that he has been afraid to go out. Because if he does, people will ask him for money in every crossroads, asks him to buy coupons, or ask for ‘sembako’” I Kadek Nyoblos Tuara Nyontreng says.


“But why are you bringing a sword? When you are in charge as ‘pecalang; you are not allowed to stop by at palm toddy stall,” I Ketut Bungut Sangut asks.

Everybody there is surprised having seen Made bringing a sword, a real and shiny one. It’s not even a pecalang’s sword.

I Made just smiles having seen all his friend are surprised. If you like drinking palm toddy, then you will be afraid of seeing any sword or knife. It’s a contrary thing. Because when you hold a sword while you get drunk, it would be dangerous. You might stub it to the people around you.

“You are all talking too much. Just sit down and I’ll treat you,” Made says.

As the one who want to treat is having a sword, everybody then takes a sit as close as to the palm toddy bottles.

Made then starts talking. He has not showed up for five days as he has been busy takes his children to school and pick them up as well. He even waits for his children at school and also takes them to extra schools.

“What a good father you are. But what do you have housemaid for. Usually she does the job. And what do we have teachers for if they don’t really take care our children at school?” I Ketut asks.

I Made shakes his head. He can not answer Ketut’s question as his mouth full of palm toddy.

“Nobody we can rely on at the moment. You know, we have housemaids kidnap their master’s children, teacher rapes their own students, some people take our children and ask them to do nasty things. So it’s difficult for us to be good parents nowadays,” Made says.

The only easy thing today is drinking palm toddy, it seems.

“I’ve been always worried recently. It’s not only having daughters is danger, but having sons, too. More and more paedophilias now in Bali, not only the westerners, but our people also do the same thing to our children.

Everybody is nodding as they agree to what Made say. It’s a big problem for them. Our children have been told to be friendly as our island is a tourist destination. The problem is that our children are easy to get flattered. When you give something nice, you can take them anywhere.

“By the way, why do you bring the sword everywhere you go? Are you going to kill the paedophilias?” the head of Banjar asks

Made shakes his head. I Made says frankly that he has no gut to kill people. He is afraid of karma.

“I have no gut to kill, but I dare to cut their dicks. If I see them, I’ll cut their dicks,” Made says.

“You know, when the police bust them after they rape children, they will be sent to jail. But they will be in jail only for a few months, after that they will do that again. So if I cut their dicks, they can’t do that thing again,” Made explains.

“But what would be the solution if you were that busted by the police?” Kadek asks.

“Well, it’s a piece of cake. I would admit to the police that I was drunk when I did that, so I will get less punishment. That why I need a notification letter from you the palm toddy drinkers that I am a dedicated member and most often get drunk,” Made says.

Well, they all know Made already get drunk. But all of them feel worried of their own children. Too many bad people in the world now.

Glossary:
  • I Made Krosokan: a person who always in hurry
  • I Wayan Semara Dudu: a romantic person
  • Sembako: basic needs
  • Caleg: a person who campaign for election to be member of House of representative
  • I Kadek Nyoblos Tuara Nyontreng: a person who suffer an ‘election fever’
  • Pecalang: vigilantes
  • I Ketut Bungut Sangut: a person who talk politely only in front of you.