Good morning judges, teachers and students. My name is Astrid Dita Nafilah. I study at Junior High School 1 Kedungwuni.

Today, I would like to tell you about the story of Lutung Kasarung. Once upon a time in west java, there was a kingdom. The king of the kingdom was Prabu Tapa Agung. He has two beautiful daughters. They were Purbararang, the first daughter and Purbasari, the second daughter. One day, Prabu Tapa Agung planned to retire as the king. He appointed Purbasari to replace him as the king of the kingdom. Im too old my dear. Now, its time for me to step off the throne, said Prabu Tapa Agung. Hearing this, Purbararang was angry. She did not agree with his father decision. You cannot choose Purbasari to be the next queen, Father. Im older than Purbasari. It is supposed to be me not her! said Purbararang angrily. After the discussion, Purbararang went back to her room. She met her fianc, Indrajaya who had waited for her. Im upset! Father chose Purbasari as the next queen! It should be me not her! I have to do something! Purbararang said. Driven mad by her anger, she came to a witch and asked her to send rash all over Purbasaris body. Soon after that, Purbasari started to feel itch all over her body. She tried applying powder to her body, but its no use. Instead, the itching grew even worse. She didnt want to scratch it, but she just couldnt help it. In the next morning, there were scratch mark all over Purbasaris body. What happened to you Purbasari? asked Purbararang, pretending to be concerned. I dont know, sis. Last night, my body suddenly felt very itchy. I scratched and scratched, and this is what happened, Purbasari answered. Purbararang shook her head. You must have done something really awful. Youve been punished by the gods! No, I dont do something wrong, trust me Purbararang. Then, Purbararang told his father that Purbasari had done something very awful. What have you done, Purbasari? demanded Prabu Tapa Agung. Purbasari shook her head. I didnt do anything that would upset the gods, Father, she answered. Then how can you explain what happened to your body? Prabu Tapa Agung asked again. If you dont confess, Ill banish you to the woods. Purbasari took a deep breath. Like I said before, I didnt do anything wrong. And Id rather be thrown into the woods than to confess to a deed I didnt commit. After a short discussion with his advisor, Prabu Tapa Agung ordered Purbasari to be moved to the woods. Purbasari was very sad, but she couldnt do anything to defy her fathers order. She was accompanied by a messenger to go to the wood. Then, He built a simple hut for Purbasari. After the Hut had finished to be built, the messenger left Purbasari alone and came back to the kingdom. Purbasari was very sad. She sobbed sadly. Suddenly, there were a black monkey came to Purbasari. The monkey

brought a bunch of bananas and gave them to Purbasari. Purbasari stopped crying. Then she said thanks to the monkey and they became friends. Purbasari called the monkey Lutung Kasarung. A long time had passed but Purbasaris body still itched. At some places, her skin was even ulcerating. What am I supposed to do? Purbasari sighed. The monkey who was sitting next to her stayed still, there were tears in his eyes. He hoped Purbasari would remain patient and strong. One night, on a full moon, the monkey took Purbasari to a valley near the woods After, they arrived there, they saw a hot spring pond. The monkey suddenly spoke, The water of this pond will heal your skin princess, he said. Purbasari was surprised, You can talk? Who are you? she asked. Youll find out, in time, the monkey said. Purbasari didnt want to force the monkey. Then she walked to the pond. She bathed there. After a few hours, Purbasari walked out of the pond. She was shocked to see her face became beautiful again. Purbasari observed her entire body. There were no traces of any skin ailments. Im cured! Im cured! Purbasari shouted in joy. She quickly said thanks to the gods and also to the monkey. The news about Purbasaris condition quickly spread to the kingdom. Purbararang who heard the news felt upset. Then, she went to the woods with Indrajaya in order to meet her sister. Purbararang was so happy to see her sister visited her. Sister, I have cured now so can I go back to the palace? Said Purbasari. No! I will allow you go home unless you have longer hair than me. Purbararang then let her hair down. It was so long, it almost touched the ground. But it turned out that Purbasaris hair was twice longer than Purbararangs hair. Fine, so your hair is longer than mine. Purbararang admitted. But there is one more conditio n you must fulfill. You have to have a fiance who is handsomer than mine! said Purbararang as she walked toward Indrajaya. Purbasari felt miserable. She didnt have a future husband yet. So, without much thought, she pulled the black monkey beside her. This is my fianc. His name is Lutung Kasarung. What? that monkey is your future husband? Hahahahaha. Purbararang and Indrajaya burst out, but their laughter didnt last long. The monkey meditates and suddenly transformed into a very handsome young man. Finally, Purbararang gave up. She accepted Purbasari as the queen, and also confessed everything she had done. Please forgive me. Please dont punish me, Purbararang said, asking for forgiveness. Instead of being angry, Purbasari smiled. I forgive you, sis, she said. Soon after, Purbasari bec ame queen And she lived hapily ever after