La Nangga

         Long time ago, in Bima, there lived a couple. They had not got any children. It made them sad and lonely. However, they never stopped praying to The Only God, hopping that they would be given a child. “O God, grant us a child; no matter how he would look like” they said in their prayer. God listened and they were given a child. However, the child looked like a jack fruit. However, the couple was very happy because they had got a child.

         La Nangga grew older. But his parents did not allow him to play outside their house. They were afraid if other children mocked him. La Nangga cried until  someday his parents allowed him to meet other children and play with them. In order to be accepted in the playgroup, La Nangga brought kalempe, a kind of traditional food of Bima. Then, La Nangga began to play with his new friends happily. But, poor La Nangga! Soon after kalempe was eaten up, his friends started to mock him. He cried and went home. That’s what happened on his first day he played with his friends. It was beyond his expectation that the same thing happened to him on the following day on. Hopelessly, he thought that it was not fair.

         La Nangga grew older and older, but his life had not changed yet. He was still mocked. One day, he heard that the princess was seriously ill. The king declared that whoever could cure the princess would be rewarded. Whatever their demand would be granted.

         La Nangga went anywhere to find the the medicine. Finally, he got it and came to the palace. La Nangga cured the princess successfully. Soon she recovered from her illness. Then, the king asked La Nangga what he demanded. “I want to marry the princess” La Nangga replied. Then, La Nangga’s life changed. He lived happily with his wife and no one mocked him anymore.