The Serenity of Cibeureum Waterfall

The Serenity of Cibeureum Waterfall

by Jeni Nurmawati

Staring at the serenity of waterfall is the best destination to escape from the bustled activities in weekdays. Here I will tell you about the beauty that Cibereum waterfall can offer, when you cannot hear anything except the silence of the nature. All you can hear when you walk into the forest is just the leaves and branches scraping each other, the animals are singing together, and the wind is swirling more slower.

Cibereum waterfall is located in Puncak, Bogor and it takes about one hour and a half from the bottom of the Taman Nasional Gunung Gede Pangrango mountain range to the main site of the waterfall. The place is like never been reached by human, except the very fresh unpolluted air and dewdrops which fall down on the surface of the green leaves, create the serene atmosphere of the surroundings. The walking path is rocky and a little bit slippery, yet the whole ground mostly is a wet soil. Both left or right side are full of trees, with the sounds of birds chirping, monkeys shouting, and the cicadas singing. From the ground you can also see plenty of monkeys jumping from one tree to another trees and the sun light illuminating through the cavity of trees.

The logs path

My skin could feel the sensation of freezing, yet my breath could smell the scents of the wet forest. The calmness around made me forget the exhaustion of hiking the path and nearly stole my consciousness because of the amazement to this enormous creature. After half an hour walking, I arrived at the ground which made of many big logs. This ground was slope and about 25m long, with the fences in the left and the right side. From this spot the view of Pangrango mountain could be seen clearly, covered with thick mists.

When the rough walking was about to end, I could hear the sounds of giant water splashed heavily onto the surface of the stone. I was very glad because it meant that I was getting closer to the waterfall. Then I looked up over my head, there were many people gathered joyfully, but it still seemed unclear, until I continued my steps and finally could see the whole waterfall I’d been waiting for.

The waterfall was very huge and high. What a breathtaking moment to see the God’s tears overflowing in front of  my eyes. The water splashed out of my body until my clothes got all wet. The sounds of the water was the main attention in the entire forest, even the animal’s sounds nearby could suddenly disappeared. The color of the water was transparent and became crystally shining when the sun lights kissed it, turned out to be very bright reflection which was a bit flashy for everyone who glared to this magical moment.

Then, after being mesmerized by this amazing scenery, I decided to walk closer until I stood near the waterfall. I was very curious to take the water with my hand, and when I touched it, I felt that the freshness was spreading from my hands to my entire body. I could sniff the water was like the blending scents of the rockies, leaves, and dews.

The serenity of this place is the best thing I could ever find. Although the volume of the waterfall’s sound was majestically loud, it could not compete the whole composure allied with the elegance of the forest.

Like My Own Daughter

Like My Own Daughter 

by Jeni Nurmawati

His beloved snake

The sky seemed grotesque when he was on his way home, knowing that last night his lovely pet, a three-years old reticulated phyton snake, named Aya, was gone from the glass cage where she usually stayed. No one in the house knew where she was. All his family members could not hide their emotion that they were very worried about her, though it wasn’t the first time she gone. On that day, the entire people got frightened for the first time when one of his snakes just ran away.

“It does not mean anything”, said Ryan Ramadhan Suas, a reptile lover, tried to keep himself amused.

When he arrived home at 7 p.m with his expectation that Aya was already came back home, he got a shocking news told by his mother that Aya was found and beaten up to death by a group of villager living there. His neighbor was the witness of that situation.

He just damaged in silence. It was terrible.

The world was like exploded, ruined, and shattered. He won’t believe that it was real, but his mother’s eyes never tell a lie. He could not control his anger, and decided to take a shower to cleared his mind but it won’t healed and got worse and worse.

He began to cried desperately.

After that he started to tell a story about Aya. She is one of his three snakes he had beside Ara the bold phyton, and Ana the boa, bought about three years ago from his well-known friend. First thing first, what isthe trigger which brought him to pet a snake where there are many cute and tame animals such as dogs, cats, or even rabbits. Well, this question become an interesting part for him, because he believe he can conquer the wild animals by himself in spite many people thought it may danger him sometime.

“I’m very proud when I can do something which people think it is impossible to do.”

“I really wanted to have a snake since childhood. I’ve collected the photos and read many articles related to snakes, which made me become more excited day by day. After that I started thinking about having and caring of them, and  I didn’t believe that I could afforded them when I was a college student.”

He really loves a non-venomous snake. Life is miserable without having a lovely pets which are really bonding with him. His excitementover snakes once ever led him to dreamed about having a snakes farm.

It’s nearly impossible for him to find out the lacks of raising the snake.He enjoys take care of them because snakes do not have any furs. Furs may cause asthma for anyone whom allergic to it, unlike the snake which are really save for people suffering asthma.

Aya the Reticulated Phyton

“There are three out of many reasons why I love to handle a snake”, said him. First, the snakes are really strong in maintaining their hunger, so he feed them only once or twice a week. It is suitable for people who have a tight schedule whose times are very limited for caring their pets. The second, the snakes have a good self-resistance to their surrounding. They can survive in any kinds of temperature, dry or wet, even ina less-oxygen place. The last reason which he love the most, is their skin patterns are really adorable because it has its own characteristic, and always different depend on their species.

“It is really fascinating when you can play around with them, and also with their skin pattern. You can cross-breed them to create a new unique pattern to make it distinct with other snake, and I would never stop amazed with it”, said him enthusiastically with the glared eyes.

Suddenly, his eyes began to flooded again with tears, recalled with the unforgettable memories he spent together with her.

“She is the most understanding creature God ever created for me. I still remember when I was a college student, she always nodded at me when I told her my problems. I’m not sure about it, but she acted like she understand all my words.”

Aya had been very loyal to him, waited for him to come in his bedroom. Sometimes when he got home, she tricked him by disappeared and hidden in the cupboard. Sometimes she got angry when she got hungry by bitten his hand, but turned to be very slothful when she got fulled. The funniest thing he had ever done to her is tickle her genital part, and she got mad. She was being cold to him for a day and didn’t want to be touched.

“Well, If I remember how I treated her until she raised properly, and became bulky, it really shatter my heart into pieces. I treated her like my own daughter. I can’t believe yesterday is the last day I saw her.”

Although it was hard for him to face the fact, he should have let her go sincerely to make her feel peace. He could not hold his tears any longer. He cried again like he did in a bathroom a few hours ago, and called her name a few times. He apologized for his reckless in protecting her, and said ;

“I really hope that Aya forgive me and she get a peaceful life there in heaven, and also a plenty of foods.”

Drama: The Three Questions

The Three Questions

by Leo Tolstoy

SCENE 1

One day it occurred to a certain emperor that if he only knew the answers to three questions, he would never stray in any matter.

King           : I’m afraid that my authorization in this kingdom would fail because of my  lack of understanding about those mysteries. (mumbling) The answers, yes the answers is the key.

In his bedroom, he began to puzzled and have no idea except the desire of finding the key, the answers. Then he talked to one of his servant.

King           : I have a thought that I need to know something my servant...

Servant      : I’m very delightful to know what it is, your highness.

King           : I can’t sleep all day and just thinking about the answers of                       the three questions which blow in mind.

Servant      : What are the questions, your highness?

King           : First, I want to know when is the right time to begin everything. I always doubt that I will take the wrong decision by this.

Servant      : The second, your highness?

King           : I want to know who is the right people to listen to, and whom I               should avoid.

Servant      : And the last-

King           : The last is, I want to know what is the most important thing to do at all times.

Servant      : My pleasure to help you, your highness.

The servant arranged time, and gathered all people who live around the castle to know what was the matter happened with the King. The King went out to proclaimed throughout his kingdom about this.

King           : Attention... attention! All people, I’m here talking to you to declare something important. I’m seeking for anyone who can help me find the answers of the three important questions. The first, when is the right time for me to begin everything. The second, who is the right people I should listen and avoid to. The last, what is the most important thing to do at all my times. I will not giving you all any trouble on this, instead of giving you anything you need, anything you want, for anyone who can help me on this problem.

And learned men came to the King, but they all answered his questions differently. They started rival in answering the first question.

Man 1        : I beg your pardon my king, but I have some ideas about your first question.

King           : Please...

Man 1        : The best way to know the right time to doing any action is draw up the advance table of days, months, and years. After that you have to strictly live with it everytime you do something.

King           : How can you be so sure?

Man 1        : I believe that everything well-planed will let us know the right time to do certain things.

Man 2        : Sorry for interrupting, your majesty. (Then talk to man 1) I guess your idea is full of inadequacy. It is impossible to decide beforehand the right time for every action.

King           : Ah, the brave one. Why could you say that it is impossible?

Man 2        : Thank you for the trust, your majesty. It seemed impossible, because we better fo always attend to all that is going on, and then do what is the most needful to do.

Man 3         : Nonsense! However attentive the King might be to what is going on, it will become overwhelmed to one man to decide correctly when is the right time for every action.

Man 2        : How could you-

Man 3        : One man such a King need a man to manage all of them. Like a council of wise man, who would help our King fix the proper time for everything.

Man 4        : Excuse me, but not all things could be handled by a Council, because there are sort of things happened and they could not wait to be laid before a Council. There must be one man, one that must know everything beforehand what is going to happen.

King           : I don’t get it. What do you mean by that?

Man  4       : There must be one man who can protect you from anything that will happen in the future, and only magicians can do that. One must consult to them, my honored King.

King           : Oh really? Is that all you could offer? Seemed so shallow. Now I want to know the answers of the second question. Please, I beg you all to think about anything that you want to say. Think deeply and avoid unecesessary statements. Who is the right people I should listen and avoid to?

Man 5        : Your honored, may I?

King           : Ahhh, the big one who want to think deeply. It is your turn.

Man 5        : The answer is of course you have to believe the people whom the King most needed is his councillors.

Man 6        : How about the priests?

Man 7        : No, it supposed to be a doctor.

Man 8        : Nothing better than the warriors, your majesty.

King           : You three should have learn about the attitude.The last, what is the most important thing to do at all my times?

Man 9        : The most important thing to do at all your times my King, is learning about science. After that, you can applied your knowledge in everyday life.

Man 10      : Your highness, let me give you some advice. I think it would be amazing if you learn about warfare. You are a King and if you enhance your knowledge about warfare, you can conquer any kingdom you want. Moreover, your Kingdom will become more powerful.

Man 11      : But that will become useless if our King does not learn about the religion first.  I beg your pardon my King.

King           : I want something meaningful! Something that will last in my life and give a value to live. I think your answers will never be my consideration.

Still wishing to find the right answers to his questions, he decided to consult a hermit, widely renowned for his wisdom.

King           : I want to go to his house to meet him. He lives in a wood that he never quitted. All  my soldiers, prepare me a horse and a simple clothes. I won’t cause any trouble there if he know me as a King if I dressed up like this.

SCENE 2

So the king put on simple clothes, and before reaching hermit’s cell, he dismounted from his horse, and left his bodyguards behind. When the king approached, he was digging the ground in front of his hut. The hermit was frail and week

King           : Nothing better for such a man instead of work hard doing something useful, is not it?

Hermit        : (seeing the King) Oh, there is someone. Welcome to my dirty poor hut. (smiled, and continue digging)

The hermit was frail and week, and everytime his spade into the ground and turn a little earth, he breath heavilly.

King           : (went up to him and said;) I have come to you, wise hermit, to ask you to answer three questions: How can I learn to do the right thing at the right time? Who are the people I most need, and to whom should I, therefore, pay more attention than to the rest?
And, what affairs are the most important, and need my first attention?

Hermit        : (listened to the King, but answered nothing. He just spat
on his hand and recommenced digging).

King           : You are tired, let me take the spade and work a while for you.

Hermit        : Thanks! (giving the spade to the King, he sat down on the ground).

It already late in the night and the King still working on digging.

Hermit        : I’ll take you a bed for rest.

King           : How could I rest? You did not answer my question. Please let me repeat to you man, do you have any idea about how can I learn to do the right thing at the right time? Who are the people I most need, and to whom should I pay more attention than to the rest?
And, what are the most important thing to do at all times?

Hermit        : (again gave no answer, but rose, stretched out his hand for the spade) Now rest awhile-and let me work a bit.

King           : (did not give him the spade, and continued to dig. One hour passed, and another) I came to you, wise man, for an answer to my questions. If you can give me none, tell me so, and I will return home.

Hermit        : (still did not answer, and saw a man) Here comes some one running,let us see who it is.

The King turned round, and saw a bearded man come running out of the wood. The man held his hands pressed against his stomach, and blood was flowing from under them. When he reached the King, he fell fainting on the ground moaning feebly.

Hermit        : Let me unfastened his clothes..

King           : Oh God, a large wound in his stomach! (washed it as best he could, and bandaged it with his handkerchief and with a towel the hermit had).

Hermit        : Oh the blood won’t stop flowing...

King           : I’ll take care of it (again and again removed the bandage soaked with warm blood, and washed and rebandaged the wound).

The King, with the hermit's help, carried the wounded man into the hut and laid him on the bed.

Hermit        : Please rest to get you recover.

Bearded man       : Thank you very much for your hospitality.

Then the bearded man awoke in the morning.

Bearded man: Forgive me! (when he saw that the King was awake and was looking at him)

King           : I do not know you, and have nothing to forgive you for.

Bearded man: You do not know me, but I know you. I am that enemy of yours who swore to revenge himself on you, because you executed his brother and seized his property. I knew you had gone alone to see the hermit, and I resolved to kill you on your way back. But the day passed and you did not return. So I came out from my ambush to find you, and I came upon your bodyguard, and they recognized me, and wounded me. I escaped from them, but should have bled to death had you not dressed my wound. I wished to kill you, and you have saved my life. Now, if I live, and if you wish it, I will serve you as your most faithful slave, and will bid my sons do the same. Forgive me!

King           : It would be fine. Calm yourself, it would be fine for me, my friend. I’ll help you by sending my servants and my own physician to attend you, and I promise to restore your property.

Having taken leave of the wounded man, the King went out into the porch and looked around for the hermit. Before going away he wished once more to beg an answer to the questions he had put.

King           : For the last time, I pray you to answer my questions, wise man.

Hermit        : You have already been answered! (still crouching on his thin legs, and looking up at the King, who stood before him).

King           : How answered? What do you mean?

Hermit        : Don’t you see, If you had not pitied my weakness yesterday, and had not dug those beds for me, but had gone your way, that man would have attacked you, and you would have repented of not having stayed with me. So the most important time was when you were digging the beds; and I was the most important man; and to do me good was your most important business. Afterwards when that man ran to us, the most important time was when you were attending to him, for if you had not bound up his wounds he would have died without having made peace with you. So he was the most important man, and what you did for him was your most important business. Remember then: there is only one time that is important--
Now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power. The most necessary man is he with whom you are, for no man knows whether he will ever have dealings with any one else: and the most important affair is, to do him good, because for that purpose alone was man sent into this life!