The Mesmerizing Mount Lawu

THE MESMERIZING MOUNT LAWU

By Metrida Vidiarsi

The coldness of mountain air in Cemoro Sewu base camp stabbed to my bones even though I wore a wind-breaker jacket. The wind slowly breezed to my ears. The sun shone brightly as I walked with the feeling of excitement filled my heart. Right above my head, a high gate welcomed me and other mountain climbers. It was crowded since it was a day before the Independence Day and a lot of climbers wanted to do ceremony at the top.

Mount Lawu, a mount with 3265 meters above the sea level located at the border between East Java and Central Java. It is one of the favourite mountain to climb for climbers, especially who come from Java Island. It is famous of its beautiful sceneries view and edelweiss at the top. There are two climbing tracks to reach the top, Cemoro Sewu and Cemoro Kandang.

The track to the top wasn’t easy, even though other climbers said it was quite easy. The track to the 5^th post is stairs of big rocks. After the 5^th post to Argo Dalem and the top, the track is sands, pebbles and some grass. I climbed step by step, slowly tried to cope with my friends’ steps as the sun went higher and brighter. Sweats dripped down my face and body. Even so, the coldness of the air still absorbed through my jacket and shivered me.

The amazing sceneries and the beautiful yellow edelweiss on the sides of the track to the 5^th post mesmerized me. I sat at the side of the track and turned my back while slowly control my breathing tempo. There were beautiful scenery of green landscape and ocean of clouds right upon my eyes. The houses at the villages seemed so small from up there. The wind breezed the smell of fresh green leaves calmed me and relieved my energy and mind.

The sun slowly set at the west when I stepped my feet to the 5^th post. As the sunlight faded, the cold wind blew wildly when I finally stepped my feet on a sandy large field. I camped right in front of Mbok Yem’s food stall at Argo Dalem, a very famous among climbers and the one and only food stall at the top of Mount Lawu. It is a quite large hut consists of a traditional kitchen with a fireplace, a simple dining room, and a wide room for climbers to sleep.

The smell of hot tea filled the tent. The warmth from the tea slowly faded the coldness I felt. Later, the delicious smell of boiled Indomie filled the tent and made me drooled. The delicious taste and the heat of the Indomie totally relieved me. I clearly heard the wind howled between the loud chatters of other campers outside the tent. I was afraid the tent wouldn’t be able to stand still through the windy night. The thickness of sleeping bags almost couldn’t fight the coldness, so I slept with my jacket on and covered my body with a thick sleeping bag.

Climbing to the top, Argo Dumilah, wasn’t easy too. Even though the track is not as long as the previous track, it is steeper and sandier than before. I climbed two steps but I slipped off one step. When I finally reached the top, a 360° beautiful sceneries awaited me. The sky seemed never been brighter than that day. All I could see was a clear, beautiful blue sky. Thousands of white clouds made a beautiful ocean in the sky. The sun shone brightly while slowly fell in the west and turned the sky into gold. The wind blew harder, making the temperature colder than before. The sceneries made me never want to leave the top as I never see that kind of sceneries in any mountain I’ve ever climbed.

            Every journey of mountain climbing is not and will never be easy. The tracks can be tricky and the weather can’t be predicted. Yet, the sceneries and the atmosphere are the remedy of my tiresome. Every step I take brings me closer to the top, and the sceneries of the lower landscapes around the mountain are the gift of my struggle at the track. They are the answer of the question, “why do you want to climb a mountain?”

Balancing Motherhood and Education: Leaving Family to Study Abroad

Balancing Motherhood and Education: Leaving Family to Study Abroad 

By Metrida Ananda Vidiarsi

Ela (right) and her friend, Alfi (left) at Groningen, Netherland

“Either being a career woman or a housewife, a woman must be high-educated because she will be a mother. Intelligent mothers will create intelligent children.” – Dian Sastrowardoyo

The arrival terminal was crowded. A little boy saw his mother just walked out the exit gate of the terminal and shouted, “Mama!” and ran into his mother’s arm. His mother smiled and hugged him tightly, for the first time again after one and half year not meeting him.

Pamela or usually called as Ela, a civil servant just got back home from Groningen, Netherland after finishing her study for master degree in psychology. She got a scholarship from Bappenas after four years of working at Badan Kepegawaian Negara.

“I was applying for the scholarship about a year before my departure. I passed the test and prepared for one year. I applied to University of Groningen, one of the best universities in Netherland and got accepted for one year master degree program.” She said.

The hardest part of studying abroad is not the struggle of surviving there, but the struggle of fighting homesick. Ela was a mother of one and half year old son when she started to study abroad. She had to leave her son to his grandparents. She could not bring her son with her because her scholarship fee was not enough to pay daycare fee.

“The day I departed from Jakarta, I had to hold my tears when I hugged my husband and my son. I was going to miss them so much. I kept holding my tears when I walked into the boarding room and heard my son shouted ‘Mama! Mama!’ and he tried to run into me but he couldn’t.”

The first month living abroad was the hardest time for her. She called his son via Skype daily and only saw him on her laptop screen. At the same time she had to adapt with her new environment and kept up with the subjects.

Her study in Groningen was not easy. She failed thrice in statistics and another subject and she was not being able to graduate on time. She had to extend her study for another semester.

“I failed in one subject that made me could not finish my study on time. I had to miss my family for other months. I called my mother and told her that I wanted to drop my study and packed my luggage and go home. I got frustrated but my mom told me that I have to keep going. I can’t just stop there and not finishing my study. She told me that it is better to have the university dropped me out than dropped out by myself because it means that I’ve done my best. ‘He [her son] will be fine here with me’ my mom told me,” She said.

After that, she got transferred to another subject in order to make her finished her thesis easier and graduate on time. She could not stay for another semester due to her visa and her financial support from the scholarship.

Finally, after one and half year of study Ela was being able to graduate from University of Groningen and got her master degree. She did not attend the graduation ceremony due to her job.

“I had to miss the graduation ceremony because I had to go back to the office two weeks after I got announced that I passed. I did not mind at all. I already miss my family, especially my son.”

Some people say that women should not have high education because their obligation is to do domestic work. Ela has her own opinion to this statement.

“I’m now preparing myself to apply for doctoral and postdoctoral degree in Groningen again. This time I’ll take my family there because it will need six years to finish my study until postdoctoral degree. Being a wife and a mother is not an obstacle to get higher education. A woman must be intelligent. A woman must be well-educated because a mother is her children’s first educational institution.”

[Mid-term] Metrida Ananda Vidiarsi - The Tale of The Three Brothers (Drama)

SCENE 1

Three brothers were travelling along a lonely, winding road at twilight. The oldest brother was a combative man, the second brother was an arrogant, and youngest brother was the humblest and also the wisest of the brothers. In time, the brothers reached a river.

[the three brothers stand on the river bank]

The Second        : Well, it’s too dangerous to swim. I don’t think we can swim across to the other side.

The Youngest    : And it’s too deep to wade through. I’ve heard so many people died in this river. Especially Muggles.

The Eldest           : Are you both idiots? We’re wizards. We just have to wave our wands and made a bridge. Don’t be such a fool like Muggles.

[The three brothers waved their wands and made a bridge appear across the treacherous water]

[enters the Death, blocking the three brothers’ path on the bridge]

Death                    : [smirks] Congratulations the three of you! No one ever made it to cross the river. You have used your magic well, my friends. Each of you had earned a prize for having been clever enough to evade me. You can ask for anything.

The Eldest           : [answers with raised chin] I want a wand more powerful than any in existence. A wand that must always win duels for its owner, a wand worthy of a wizard who had conquered Death!

[Death crossed to an elder tree on the banks of the river and fashioned a wand from a branch that hung there]

Death                    : [handing the wand] This wand is the most powerful in the world. No witch or wizard can beat you with this wand. With this wand, you’ll become the greatest wizard ever exist! [to the second brother] what do you want for your prize?

The second         : [answers in arrogant voice] What I want is the power to recall others from Death!

Death                    : [picks up a stone from the riverbank and give it to the second brother] this stone would have the power to bring back the dead. With this stone, you can even resurrect yourself and you’ll become immortal. [to the third brother] and how about you? What do you want for your prize?

The youngest    :  [answers wisely] I want for something that would enable me to go forth from that place without being followed by you.

Death                    : [unwillingly handed over his own Cloak of Invisibility] I give you The Cloak of Invisibility. With this cloak, nobody will be able to see you. Not even myself.

[the Death stood aside]

[the three brothers exit]

[light slowly goes off]

SCENE 2

[light slowly goes on]

[the Eldest Brother enters an inn in a village, looking for his opponent wizard] [spotlight on both the opponent and the Eldest Brother]

The Eldest           : You! [pointing at his opponent wizard] you may had defeated me that day, but now I will defeat you with this wand. Come! Take your wand and fight me! [his wand already in his hand, ready for a duel]

The opponent   : As you wish then! [takes his wand out]

The Eldest and

the opponent   : [both shouting] EXPELLIARMUS!

[the opponent’s wand falls]

The Eldest           : AVADA KEDAVRA!

[the opponent wizard falls hardly to the floor, does not move] [spotlight focuses on the Eldest]

The Eldest           : [boasting loudly to the audience as the crowd] You see? You see how powerful my wand is? This Elder Wand is the most powerful wand that ever exists! I snatched it from the Death himself. With this wand, I am the greatest wizard. No one can and no one will defeat me! I am the most invincible wizard! Hah! Anyone wants to try fighting me? Anyone? Well, that’s a good choice because no one will have a chance to defeat me.

[the Eldest Brother goes to his room and goes to sleep]

[another wizard enters his room and creeps upon the oldest brother as he sleep] [The thief took the wand and slit the oldest brother’s throat.]

[enters the Death and takes the Eldest Brother]

­[exits all and light slowly goes off]

SCENE 3

[light slowly goes on]

[The second brother enters his own home, takes out the stone and turned it thrice in his hand] [spotlight on the Second Brother]

[enters the Woman, spotlight on both the Second Brother and the Woman]

The second         : [amazed and delighted] oh, my beautiful lady! You’re alive! Oh, how I missed you, my dear… finally we can be together again. I can have you again, my love. [tries to reach and hold his lover’s hand] my dear, why I can’t hold your hand?

The woman        : [standing out of the Second Brother’s reach] I’m dead, my dear. I don’t truly belong in the mortal world anymore. We can’t be together. We’re in different worlds…[crying]

The second         : no… please don’t leave me again, my love. Please… [crying in agony]

[the spotlight slowly leaves the Woman, focuses on the Second Brother] [the Woman exits]

The second         : no… I can’t live without you… [kneeling and crying in agony] no… I have to be with her. I have no reason to live in this world anymore

[the second brother gets on a chair and hangs himself]

[enters the Death and takes the Eldest Brother]

­[exits all and light slowly goes off]

SCENE 4

[light slowly goes on] [enters the Death, spotlight on him]

Death                    : [wandering around the stage] where is he? Where is the Youngest? He must be hiding under the Cloak. Oh, I can’t find him for years. How can I take him as mine?  He seems impossible to find.

[enters the Youngest Brother, spotlight on him too as he takes off the Cloak]

The Youngest    : [smiling] hello, my dear old friend. Finally we meet again. I am now old and have done so many things as long as I live. This is the time for me to join you. But I have to say something to my son before I leave. May I?

Death                    : Of course.

The Youngest    : [to his son] my dear son, I give to you this Cloak of Invisibility. Please use it wisely.

The son                : [accepts the Cloak, looks up to his father’s eyes] where are you going, dad? What is this Cloak for?

The Youngest    : I’m going to a better place, son. I’m going with my dear old friend. This Cloak of Invisibility will help you to finish your business, like I did all this time. Promise me you’ll use it wisely, only for good things. Not for doing any crime.

The son                : I promise, dad. [holds his father’s hand] but why you have to leave? Don’t you still have any things to do? Can’t you stay longer with me?

The Youngest    : [smiling, strokes his son’s head] I have no more reason to stay, dear son. I have finished all of my business in this world, including accompanying you to grow up. And you’ve grown up well. Don’t worry. We’ll meet again in time. We’ll be together again in a better place, son. [to the Death] shall we?

Death                    : Come, my friend.

[the Youngest Brother smiles and waves his hand to his son and the audience]

[both of the Youngest Brother and the Death exit, spotlight on them and slowly goes off]

Adapted from “The Tales of Beedle the Bard” by J.K. Rowling

Vidiarsi

[Mid-term] Metrida Ananda Vidiarsi - The Lady and Her Beloved Man (Poem)

The Lady and Her Beloved Man

As the wind blows

She sits on the balcony

As the sun slowly glows

She waits patiently

Her maid knows who she’s waiting for

He is the lady’s beloved man

Who she loves more and more

When nobody else can

The man who loves her too

As much as she loves him

At least she thinks he’ll do

As her eyes dimed 

As her hair turns grey

She prays he’ll love her daily

But he keeps walking away

And leaves her falls in her deepest agony

Vidiarsi

Drama: The Tale of Three Brothers

SCENE 1

Three brothers were travelling along a lonely, winding road at twilight. The oldest brother was a combative man, the second brother was an arrogant, and youngest brother was the humblest and also the wisest of the brothers. In time, the brothers reached a river too deep to wade through and too dangerous to swim across. However, these brothers were learned in the magical arts. The three brothers waved their wands and made a bridge appear across the treacherous water. They were halfway across it when they found their path blocked by a hooded figure. It was the Death.

[enters the Death]

Death                    : [smirks] Congratulations the three of you! No one ever made it to cross the river. You have used your magic well, my friends. Each of you had earned a prize for having been clever enough to evade me. You can ask for anything.

The oldest           : [answers with raised chin] I want a wand more powerful than any in existence. A wand that must always win duels for its owner, a wand worthy of a wizard who had conquered Death!

[Death crossed to an elder tree on the banks of the river and fashioned a wand from a branch that hung there]

Death                    : [handing the wand] This wand is the most powerful in the world. No witch or wizard can beat you with this wand. With this wand, you’ll become the greatest wizard ever exist! [to the second brother] what do you want for your prize?

The second         : [answers in arrogant voice] What I want is the power to recall others from Death!

Death                    : [picks up a stone from the riverbank and give it to the second brother] this stone would have the power to bring back the dead. With this stone, you can even resurrect yourself and you’ll become immortal. [to the third brother] and how about you? What do you want for your prize?

The youngest    :  [answers wisely] I want for something that would enable me to go forth from that place without being followed by you.

Death                    : [unwillingly handed over his own Cloak of Invisibility] I give you The Cloak of Invisibility. With this cloak, nobody will be able to see you. Not even myself.

[the Death stood aside]

[the three brothers exit]

[light slowly goes off]

SCENE 2

[light slowly goes on]

[the Eldest Brother enters an inn in a village, looking for his opponent wizard] [spotlight on both the opponent and the Eldest Brother]

The Eldest           : You! [pointing at his opponent wizard] you may had defeated me that day, but now I will defeat you with this wand. Come! Take your wand and fight me! [his wand already in his hand, ready for a duel]

The opponent   : As you wish then! [takes his wand out]

[both duel of curses]

The Eldest           : AVADA KEDAVRA! [kills his opponent]

[the opponent wizard falls hardly to the floor, does not move]

The Eldest           : [boasting loudly to the audience as the crowd] You see? You see how powerful my wand is? This Elder Wand is the most powerful wand that ever exists! I snatched it from the Death himself. With this wand, I am the greatest wizard. No one can and no one will defeat me! I am the most invincible wizard! Hah!

[the Eldest Brother goes to his room and goes to sleep]

[another wizard enters his room and creeps upon the oldest brother as he sleep] [The thief took the wand and slit the oldest brother’s throat.]

[enters the Death and takes the Eldest Brother]

­[exits all and light slowly goes off]

SCENE 3

[light slowly goes on]

[The second brother enters his own home, takes out the stone and turned it thrice in his hand] [spotlight on the Second Brother]

[enters the Woman, spotlight on both the Second Brother and the Woman]

The second         : [amazed and delighted] oh, my beautiful lady! You’re alive! Oh, how I missed you, my dear… finally we can be together again. I can have you again, my love. [tries to reach and hold his lover’s hand] my dear, why I can’t hold your hand?

The woman        : [standing out of the Second Brother’s reach] I’m dead, my dear. I don’t truly belong in the mortal world anymore. We can’t be together. We’re in different worlds…[crying]

The second         : no… please don’t leave me again, my love. Please… [crying in agony]

[the spotlight slowly leaves the Woman, focuses on the Second Brother] [the Woman exits]

The second         : no… I can’t live without you… [kneeling and crying in agony] no… I have to be with her. I have no reason to live in this world anymore

[the second brother gets on a chair and hangs himself]

[enters the Death and takes the Eldest Brother]

­[exits all and light slowly goes off]

SCENE 4

[light slowly goes on] [enters the Death, spotlight on him]

Death                    : [wandering around the stage] where is he? Where is the Youngest? He must be hiding under the Cloak. Oh, I can’t find him for years. How can I take him as mine?  He seems impossible to find.

[enters the Youngest Brother, spotlight on him too as he takes off the Cloak]

The Youngest    : [smiling] hello, my dear old friend. Finally we meet again. I am now old and have done so many things as long as I live. This is the time for me to join you. But I have to say something to my son before I leave. May I?

Death                    : Of course.

The Youngest    : [to his son] my dear son, I give to you this Cloak of Invisibility. Please use it wisely.

The son                : [accepts the Cloak, looks up to his father’s eyes] where are you going, dad? What is this Cloak for?

The Youngest    : I’m going to a better place, son. I’m going with my dear old friend. This Cloak of Invisibility will help you to finish your business, like I did all this time. Promise me you’ll use it wisely, only for good things. Not for doing any crime.

The son                : I promise, dad. [holds his father’s hand] but why you have to leave? Don’t you still have any things to do? Can’t you stay longer with me?

The Youngest    : [smiling, strokes his son’s head] I have no reason to stay, dear son. I have finished all of my business in this world, including accompanying you to grow up. And you’ve grown up well. Don’t worry. We’ll meet again in time. We’ll be together again. [to the Death] shall we?

Death                    : Come, my friend.

[the Youngest Brother smiles and waves his hand to his son and the audience]

[both of the Youngest Brother and the Death exit, spotlight on them and slowly goes off]

Adapted from “The Tales of Beedle the Bard” by J.K. Rowling

-Vidiarsi

15 Years Later

Jason Alexander Peterson

September 13, 2012

I stopped my car at the parking lot and looked around as I got out of my car. “Not much changing of this school,” I thought. The football field was almost remained the same, only the hurdles that changed to the new one. The bicycle parking lot is getting more lot. The memories about this place were still fresh, as if they just happened yesterday. I still can hear my friends’ voices in my mind as I walked through the school corridor, heading right to the most memorable place of this school to me, classroom 3-E.

As I walked through the hall to the teacher’s office, I smiled. I still remember my days in this school, especially in 1997. It was the most depressing and memorable moment in my life. I kept remembering what I’d been through that year while entering the teacher’s office.

“Mr. Peterson, have a seat please.”

A very familiar face welcomed me, smiling. Mrs. Carter.

Sophie Elizabeth Carter

March 17, 1997

The mid-term week had just finished. Today I had to give all the test paper back to my students. But there’s something that makes me worried. One of my students, Jace Peterson, never gets good scores this semester. I often caught him sleeping in the class and he seemed tired all the time. I wondered what happened to him. So when I gave his test paper back, which got bad mark, I told him to meet me after class in my office.

5p.m., he knocked my office’s door. After I let him sit, I started asking him. “Jace, what happened to you? Your scores are decreasing. You always get good scores, and I know you’re a brilliant student. But not this semester. What happened?” I asked.

Jace wasn’t able to see me in the eye. He didn’t answer. “Jace, you can tell me anything. Is there any problem? Maybe I can help you.” I said, tried to make him say something.

He started to rise his face, “Mrs. Carter, actually I’m very tired. After my parents passed away, I have to work after school in a diner for my sister and I.” he explained, still couldn’t be able to see me in the eye. I got shocked. I knew that his parents just passed away 2 months ago, but I didn’t know that he had to work. “I work until midnight, 6 days a week, and that’s why I always oversleep in the class. I can’t even have time to study because I have to take care of my sister while working.” He said.

He never showed any signs of having trouble. I had to hold my tears when I heard that. It felt like… the picture of him, taking orders from the diner’s customers and at the same time feeding his sister, sliced my heart into pieces. I can’t imagine he had to work, being the head of the family, and raised his sister and himself.

“I know you have to do the job, but you also have to pay attention to your study.” I said. “I will help you to pass the exam. That’s the only way to help you to get better job, since you have to work. Meet me after class on 4.30p.m. I’ll give you extra lesson in the library, everyday. Only two hours, then you can go to the diner. Can you do that?” I knew I couldn’t help him financially, but at least I can do something to help him academically.

Jace’s eyes were wide open of surprise. “Of course I can, Mrs. Carter. Thank you for your help.” He smiled of gratitude and soon left my office. He had to go to the diner.

April 24, 1997

I decided to ask Jace and his sister, Bianca, to have dinner with my husband and I. I asked him to take a day-off from the diner. “How’s your work, Jace?” my husband, Xavier, asked him while waiting for our meals. “Quite good, Mr. Carter. I asked 2 days-off a week to prepare the final exam.” Jace said. “Well, you better study from now, Jace. The final exam will determine your future. I really, really hope that you will do your best on the final exam. You still have three months to and I will help you to prepare for it.” I said to Jace. He just smiled and I could see from his eyes that he is excited and full of hope. And I could see that he will pass the exam easily.

May 19, 1997

I couldn’t believe it! Jace got caught in a gambling arena nearby the market! Someone called me right after I got back into my office. “Mrs. Carter, I’m Officer Bones. I’d like to tell you that one of your students, Jason Alexander Peterson, got caught red handed gambling nearby the market. Could you please come to the police station?” I hung up the phone and rushed to the police station. I couldn’t believe it. Why should he gamble? I mean, he has a job. It may not be enough to pay his sister’s and his school fee, but at least he didn’t have to gamble to raise money. So many questions rushed in my head and made me dizzy. Once again, I got worried of him.

As I arrived at the police station, I rushed to him as fast as I can. He sat on the chair. Again, he couldn’t look me in the eyes. I sat right in front of him, “Jace, what happened? You better tell me the full story.” I asked him, sharply. He remained silence. “Jace, answer me!” I shouted in frustration and madness at the same time.

“Mrs. Carter, I’m really sorry… I’m frustrated. Bianca is hospitalized and I need money. I wanted to borrow some money from my neighbor but he can’t. So he suggested me to gamble. He said it is the fastest way to get money. Then… I just got caught.” Jace explained, and suddenly he burst into tears. “I’m really sorry, Mrs. Carter. I’m sorry…”

I couldn’t say anything. I got disappointed. My brilliant student had to go to the jail. “I don’t know what should I say, Jace. You’ve disappointed me… I still want you to finish your study.” I said. I was holding my tears. I couldn’t cry in front of him. I had to be strong.

“I know it’s my fault. I know I have to be jailed, and I’m okay with that. But please, take care of Bianca. No one is able to take care of her while I’m here. Please…” Jace begged to me, tears streamed on his face.

I couldn’t stand it. What can I do now?

May 23, 1997

Bianca just got home from the hospital yesterday. And Jace… I’m still working on bailing him out the jail. I’ve been telling the principal Jace’s condition. I’ve asked him to help to bail Jace out, and he said he will try. The national exam is only two weeks from now. If I can bail him out, he has to work so hard on the national exam preparation. Not only him, but also I have to work hard for the national exam. It is MY responsibility to help my students pass the national exam. In this case, I concern A LOT to Jace. He IS everyone’s concern right now. He gets a lot of support from other students and teachers. We really hope he can go out from the jail and take the exam.

Jason Alexander Peterson

September 13, 2012

Mrs. Carter, she didn’t change much. Only her hair turned grey and some wrinkles on her eyes. But she still had the same warm gaze in her eyes. She still had the same warm smile.

“Mrs. Carter, I’m so glad to see you again.” I said. “I want to say thank you for all you had done for me. You had helped to bail me out the jail; you had helped me passed the exam with the best scores.”

“I’m glad to see you again, Jace. It’s been 15 years since your national exam, right? I’m so proud of you, seeing you being successful now.” Mrs. Carter said, smiling and bearing joyful tears in her eyes.

We talked a lot that day. I told her about my business. Now I have my own diner, managed together with Bianca. I told her now I have a project to build a school for orphans, ‘Sophie Carter Institute’. I dedicated the school for her. Without her helped, I wouldn’t be able to be like right now. Without her, I would be an orphan, worked in a diner 6 days a week for me and Bianca, and had no chance in getting higher education. For me, Mrs. Carter is a hero.

Vidiarsi

The Rabbit and the Turtle

Once upon a time, there were a rabbit and a turtle living in the same woods. One day, the Rabbit was boasting to every animal in the woods about how fast he could run. “I’m the fastest animal in this wood! No one else can run faster than me! I, Rabbit, can run even faster than the tiger!” the Rabbit said.

 “Look at you! Poor Turtle, the slowest animal ever exist in this wood. No matter how fast you run, you still can’t beat me, right?” He was laughing and mocking at the Turtle for being so slow.

Felt annoyed, the turtle challenged him to a race on the next day. “Oh, really you’re the fastest animal? We’ll see on the race tomorrow. Only you and me, Rabbit.” The rabbit thought this was a good joke and accepted the challenge. “Ha! You challenged me? Fine! I bet you’ll cry for losing, Turtle. Hahahahaha!” the Rabbit was so confident he would win the race.

 The day of the race came. Everyone gathered to see the race. “On the count of three! One… Two… Three…!” the Hedgehog blew a whistle, as he was the jury for the race.

As the race began, the rabbit was speeding way ahead of the turtle. Every animal was shouting to the Turtle, gave him motivation to keep going.

The rabbit got to the halfway point and could not see the turtle anywhere. The Rabbit felt hot and tired. Then he decided to stop and take a short nap. “Hah.. Hah.. Hah.. I must be far away ahead the Turtle. I’ve told him he can’t win this race. Hahaha! I better sleep for awhile and catch up later.” The Rabbit said.

Far away left behind, the turtle kept walking slowly. He never quit no matter how hot or tired he got. He just kept going. He did not give up. “Hosh.. hosh.. hosh.. it’s so hot and tiring. But I can’t just give up. It’s already half way the finish line. I must finish this race!” said the Turtle.

Hours passed, the rabbit slept longer than he had thought and woke up. “Hoaaaaaaam.. I sleep like a baby. What time is it? Where is the Turtle?” He could not see the turtle anywhere. Panicked, he went at full-speed to the finish line only to find the turtle standing there waiting for him. “I win this race! Look who’s crying for losing now, Rabbit?” said the Turtle.

The rabbit felt angry, but ashamed at the same time. Then, he apologized to the turtle for mocking him. “I’m sorry for mocking you last day. I promise I won’t do that again.” Said the Rabbit.

Vidiarsi

Quotes Of The Day #2

"The biggest enemy in your life is the dark side of yourself."

-vdrc

Answered Prayers

He may have gold on him

He may have everything you dream of

You may be envious to him

You may pray you can be him

He may not show it

He may not like what you see

You may not know what’s behind his gold

You may be careful for what you pray for

But now your prayers are granted

But it’s not what you actually want

You can’t turn back the time

You can’t take your prayers back

Vidiarsi

The Lady and Her Beloved Man

As the wind blows

She sits on the balcony
As the sun slowly glows

She waits patiently

Her maid knows who she’s waiting for

He is the lady’s beloved man

Who she loves more and more

When nobody else can

The man will love her too

As much as she loves him

At least she thinks he’ll do

As her eyes slowly dimed 

As her hair turns grey

She prays he’ll love her daily

But he keeps walking away

And leaves her falls in her deepest agony

Vidiarsi