My
name is Gecko. The shape of my body is like small house lizard, but a little bigger. I live in The Rahmats’ rooftop. The family is poor but they
live happily in peace.
Mr.
Rahmat has two children, Budi dan Uci. They are very happy making fun with my
sound. This way: each time I make the sound, “Gecko…” Budi raises his index
finger saying, “Me.” Then on the other sound, “Gecko…” it is Uci who raises her
index finger saying, “Me.” And so on until I get silent. Well, whoever raises the index finger at my last sound is the one whom lose and must be beaten by
the other. It is just a soft blow and hurtless, of course, for they love each
other.
There is another amusement: Budi often makes my voice to predict what he will do. When he hesitates to accept an invitation
from his friend, then he counts my voice.
“Gecko…”
I say, and Budi says, “go.”
“Gecko…”
I say again, answered by Budi, “not go.” And so on until I get quiet. When I
stop on the word “Go,” then he receives the invitation. And if I say the
opposite, then he refuses.
But
I am touched by Uci. If she is alone, she often talks to me as if she babbles with some friend. I am quiet, though. Even though I say something, she
won’t tell what it is.
Uci
often puts breadcrumbs upon the cupboard as well. She likes to give them to
me. She doesn't know that my favorite food is mosquito, not bread. But, in
pleasing her, I force myself to eat the breadcrumbs.
One
day I peek at Uci and her mother are talking. I see Uci is scratching
between her toes. Mrs. Rahmat squats while examining the child’s feet.
“It is so itchy since last night. I scratched until it hurt,” says Uci in grimace
for bearing the itch and pain.
“It’s
skin disease named eczema. You should eat gecko flesh so that you recover soon.
Your father will catch the gecko in our rooftop.”
“Don’t
do it, Mother. Don’t kill the gecko. What a pity. Just buy me some medicine for
skin disease from store,” asks Uci.
“You
may, but I ‘m not sure the medicine from store will help.”
Mother is right. The medicine from store is not strong enough. For a couple of days
Uci’s feet get recovered by salve, yet she scratches between her toes. Mrs.
Rahmat, finally, decides to take the first method.
“See?
The medicine from store is not strong enough. Therefore, you have to eat
gecko’s flesh,” says Mrs. Rahmat.
“Let’s
see for another three days, Mother.”
“What
for?” asks Mrs. Rahmat. She doesn’t get the idea.
“I
have written a letter to Uncle in town. I told him about the itch on my feet. I
asked Uncle to buy me the best medicine,” explains Uci. Mrs. Rahmat agrees and
would wait for the next three days.
Just
on the last day, I am worried. The medicine from Uci’s uncle hasn’t come yet
until noon. Uci is worried as well. I know it from her face.
“The
postman have past from a little while ago. It means your uncle doesn’t send the
medicine here. How if we catch the gecko right now?” says Mr. Rahmat. Uci
perforce nodds weakly, as if not willing I am hunted and killed to cure her
disease.
On
the rooftop I am prepared to die. I will not stay away anymore if Mr. Rahmat
catches me. I am willing to be killed for Uci’s health. It is too bad for that
little girl. It has been a week she suffers the disease.
Mr.
Rahmat has taken a spear to catch me, while Mrs. Rahmat, Budi, and Uci watch him ready to shovel me. However, it seems that the day is not my time to die
yet. There is knocking on the door before the spear moves.
“Hurray
…. Uncle is coming! Do you bring the medicine for me, don’t you?” Uci welcomes happily.
“Of
course, dear. How could I let you spend your time just for scratching your
feet,” answers Uncle in funny expression.
That very day Uci takes the medicine and dabs the
salve her Uncle has brought on her feet. Uncle says that he gets the medicine
and the salve from a doctor specialized in dermatology. Of course their prices are expensive. However they are really strong. A few days later the disease
has gone. Uci doesn’t scratch between her toes anymore.
My name is Gecko. I live in The Rahmat’s rooftop. The
family is poor, but they live happily in peace. I feel so lucky to live among
them.***
From Bobo
magazine Year XXIX December 13, 2001 (Rp 4.500,00). The original text can be seen here.
2 komentar:
Ahahahahhaa XD
My beautiful Mba Day ^^, I love this story ^^
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I almost shed a tear for the gecko was willing to die for the lovely Uchi. :') and it was a happy ending. But in my personal opinion, I prefer this story was ended sadly. Would it be nice to read that the gecko wasn't died in vain, and the voice of his soul close this short story perfectly? well, it's just an opinion, Mba.
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Despite the happy ending in this story, I still enjoyed it. I wonder, that if this kind of story still exist in our literature and being read by our young children. Because nowedays, I seen that the young children would prefer to play a game rather than spend their time for reading. Hmmmmmm. I did try to persuade my little cousin to read, but they won't do it if I'm not there to accompanying them.
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Well mba day, very nice of you to share this story in english. Funny and fresh, mba. ^^
Reading this in english, give a different kind of taste for me. ^^
.
I think that's all from me, mba day. Have a nice day ^^
Hello, Nine, sorry for long response :((
Thank you for loving this story, I love you, too #eh
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Well, in reality, the gecko might die sadly though its death would be meaningful (since it's said that its flesh can cure the eczema). But, maybe, it's such a convention in children literature that the story must end happily ever after for all parties *cmiiw
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Nice try, Nine. I hope, slowly but sure, your little cousin will love reading eventually (amen). Maybe it's our duty now (if someday we become parents, I mean, you and your soulmate and me with mine) to introduce the bliss in reading children literature to next generation kids.
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Thank you for stopping by, reading, and giving some comment, Nine. I feel so much appreciated. I'm sorry if you find any mistake in this translation, since I do it to improve my (terrible) English writing skill. Have a nice day, too :))
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