Folk tales is also an example of narrative writing. We can re-write folktales by changing the story focus. Usually, a folk tale has
we (the teller) as the focus. All of characters told has "he", "she", or "they". Now, I would like to retell a Javanese folk tale called "Timun Mas" or "Gold Cucumber" or "Gold Gherkin". I focused to the Giant, so all the words "I" , "My", and "Me" means the Giant.
Gold Gherkin
I lived very long time ago, thousands years ago. I lived in a forest, near farmers' village. All of the villagers feared of me. But, I didn't know why this happen. As all villagers had to pass this forest to get into their house from field, I heard what they were saying, grumbling, sharing, and praying about. I heard the most about Mr. and Mrs. Simin's prayers about having a child. They said, "Lord, we know that You are kind and give all of what we need, but please give us a children. Just one Lord, please, please..."
"Wow, it's a good moment to have a maid, although I have to wait for a long time:, I said hopefully. Then, I decided to reply them, "OK, I will give you a daughter." They were very surprised. "I am the giant! But, in her age of fifteen, you have to give she back for me! Deal?", I continued. They think for a moment, then replied "Hmm... OK, we deal. Thank you a lot, Giant." Not a long time after, Mrs Simin was pregnant. She gave a birth to a cute and beautiful baby daughter. They gave "Timun Mas" as a name for their daughter.
I waited for a very long time for her. I have to count day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year. But, I knew what I waited is important. I could use her as a maid or even meal!!! Ha, ha, ha, just wait, Giant. It would be a beautiful girl. Then, I said, "Ah, two weeks to go..."
"Mrs, I can't wonder that I have to give this cute daughter to the giant", Mr. Simin said. "What? I almost forgot about it. Two weeks to go, right? What must we do?", Mrs. Simin replied. When the time came, I went to their house. They said that they wanted to postpone giving her daughter for three days. What was that? I was very mad and scolded them, "OK, if you don't give Timun Mas that day, I will take you as a replacement of Timun!" Three days later, I went back to their house, but Timun was gone. She escaped from the back door. Luckily, I still saw her.
Angrily, I chased her with all of my power. Timun was very crazy. When I was near, she threw a cucumber seed. When it hit the ground, it became a lot of cucumber tree which full of ripe cucumbers. I stopped and enjoy it for a moment, ignoring Timun. Then, I realized and chased her again. After I ate and full, she hurt me by throwing a thorn to the ground. It become thorn-brushes in front of me. They really slowed and hurt me. I had to chase her with all hurts and injuries in my body.
After that, I still got attacks from Timun. After hurt, I chased Timun again. Luckily, my long legs ran faster than her short leg. Then, she threw a little bit of salt to the ground. Then, the ground changes into wide sea suddenly. I had to swim, but Timun could run. After wide sea, I ran behind a clump of dried shrimp paste or known as "terasi". It changed into a mud pond. When I passed it, I fell and absorbed by that pond. I called her back to help me, but she didn't want to help me. After that, I felt hurt and hot, then I didn't know what happened after it. (Because I was died already)