I Belog Part -4

I Belog was considered as a foolish man since his body was fat and lethargic. But he was a crafty man; he had tricky ways to get something he wanted. In order to get Sari; the most beautiful girl in his village, he tricked her father several times. Losing his face, then Sari’s father arranged a plan to take revenge. Unluckily, he was tricked by I Belog, again.

I Belog grew impatient to get Sari as his wife. Then he applied a new crafty trick. One night, I Belog hid himself behind Sari’s Sanggah (family temple). That night was a Tilem (a new moon; where there is no moon light. Balinese consider this day as a sacred day). Meanwhile, Sari and her father were sleeping very tightly. Yet, their sleep was disturbed by a voice. An old wise man’s voice which made both of them woke up and realized that, the voice was coming from their Sanggah.

“I am Batara (deity) who resides here, in your Sanggah. Now, I command you to place an offering completed with roasted chicken. If you disobey me, you will be cursed” commanded I Belog while changing his voice and the way he spoke as if he was a deity. In hurry, Sari’s father asked his daughter to bring torch to Sanggah. I Belog who did not want him to be found then said: “It is prohibited to bring any light. It is better if you do what I have been commanded quickly”. Sari’s father was so afraid that he prepared the offering. After finishing all which were needed then Sari’s father place it in front of his Sanggah. “Now, you have to pray. I will be very pleased,” I Belog commanded. Sari’s father and his daughter could only do what had been commanded. “Your daughter will get along well with I Belog, since I Belog is a wise man and brainy. You and your daughter will face deity’s wrath if your daughter doesn’t get married with I Belog. On the next three day, they will get married,” I Belog said with very polite way. Sari’s father could only nod and replied I Belog by saying ‘Inggih-yes’ for many times “Well, I think that is all my command to you. Now, both of you can go back since I will take your offering and it is forbidden for you to see the act of deity”

Sari and her father soon left their Sanggah. Seeing the situation was clear, I Belog took the offering and ate it at his home. On that night, I Belog’s stomach was very full.

On the following day, Sari’s father was very glad knowing his offerings had been gone. He thought that Batara had received it and would be very pleased to him. Remembering what Batara said in the previous night that Sari had to get married with I Belog then Sari’s father asked them to get married soon. Sari could not refuse it.

Shortly, I Belog and Sari were married. I Belog was very happy for Sari, the most beautiful girl, finally become his own wife. They were not matched at all, however, as day and night. I Belog who looked like as a giant, lethargic, and fond of tricking people was a husband for a pretty woman. All people started gossiping them. Yet, it was a fact that I Belog, who had tricked Sari’s father for several times, became his son-in-law.

I Belog who considered a foolish man because of his lethargic body in fact had a smart way of thinking to get something. What can be learnt from this story is we can’t judge a book from its cover. Since the outside doesn’t always represent the inside.

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