“Bima, have you filled the
jug?” asks Eyang[1]
in front of Bima’s bedroom door.
Bima puts his novel, then
moves slowly from the bed. “I haven’t filled the jug yet, Eyang. I guess
there’s still some water in it.”
“If the jug is empty, poor
those who are thirsty.”
And then Bima carries a tiny
jug out of kitchen. Every time the jug swings, a splash of water spills from
its mouth.
“Oh, Bima. What a waste. Many
people can’t afford drink,” grumbles Eyang.
Eyang provides a big jug of
water, completed with some glasses in front of her gate in Klaten, Central
Java. Peddler or anyone who happens to pass and feels thirsty can drink
water in it.
Before and after school,
Bima has to make sure that the jug is always filled. When the sun is very hot,
the jug is quickly empty since many peddlers drink the water.
The next day after school.
“It’s hot today,” mumbles Bima, who is thirsty. Unfortunately, he runs out of
water in his drinking bottle. And then, he sees his friends is gathering around
cold drink pedlars in front of the schoolyard. Bima can only stare in thirst
because he doesn’t bring any money.
And then Bima rushes home. Many
times he licks his lips, suffering thirst. On his way home, he sees a peddler
pulling a cart filled with piles of buckets. The peddlar’s lips are dry for too
long suffering thirst.
That man must be very
thirsty, thinks Bima. I hope he will pass in front of my home so he can drink
from Eyang’s jug. Ah, Eyang’s jug? I haven’t filled it up this morning!
murmurs Bima.
“Good afternoon, Eyang,”
says Bima, going into home. “I’m thirsty. My drinking bottle is empty,” he
says, at the same time grabbing a glass of water Eyang gives him.
“Eyang, I’ve just met a
bucket peddler on my way home. He seems very thirsty. And then I remember that
this morning I forgot to fill the jug,” says Bima.
“Then you must not forget tomorrow.
Eyang Kakung[2]
has filled it before he went to work.”
“I promise, Eyang, I will
not forget anymore. How pity the thirsty peddler. I felt very thirsty, though I
carried mere backpack. While the peddler carried such heavy load. He must be
thirstier than me.”
“That’s way I provide the
jug so they can have free drink. This home has abundant pure water, so I can
be kindly giving some to the ones who feel thirsty.”
“I want to be kind, too,”
says Bima in determination.
From that day on, Bima never
forget to fill the jug. He is happy doing good thing for other people by a jug
of water.[]
Translated from "Kendi di Depan Rumah" by Novianita (Kompas
Klasika, Sunday, January 31, 2016). The original text can be seen here.
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