We are pleased to participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/). The Story Crossroads theme for this year is “Fantastic Females in Folk & Fairy Tales.”
About Faith and Java:
Over 85% of people in Indonesia are of the Islamic faith. People who believe in Islam are also known as Muslims and call Allah their God and who blesses the world. “Allah” is actually Arabic that could translate as “The God.” One of the islands of Indonesia is called Java, which is covered in volcanoes and lies between Sumatra and Bali.
50-word-or-less summary
Widow worked hard. Always poor/hungry. Fish were trapped in puddle (river drying up). Widow heard fish pray to Allah. Widow didn’t know Allah. Watched. Rain! Widow decided to pray aloud to Allah for coins. Neighbor annoyed and threw down sack of glass and stones. Widow opened up. Gold!
Finding the Story:
Book – “The Widow and the Fishes” in The Magic Crocodile and Other Folktales from Indonesia – here
Digital Collection – Indonesian Folk Tales – here
Finding the “Fantastic”:
This Widow from Java had a fantastic work ethic. Despite working hard and people of the community not paying her as much as they ought, she never gave up. Sometimes, she was so weak from hunger and thirst that she had little energy to continue that work. But work she did!
While the Widow was unaware of Allah until the Fish prayed to Allah, she had enough pure faith to try this herself to an unknown God. She did not give up. By the third day, that annoyed Neighbor tossed down a sack of glass and stones through her roof. Yet, the Widow was blessed by Allah with gold. Now, the summary didn’t allow space to say that the Neighbor, who was aware of Allah, tried the same feat. He was not successful. It only proves how fantastic that Widow was in her dedication and newfound faith.
Recommended Article:
As this Widow understood what it was like to be poor, think of these success stories of “rags to riches” with an article entitled “25 Amazingly Successful Women Who Worked Their Way From Rags to Riches” written by Creative Wealth International.
Thoughts?
Please share thoughts in the comments. While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has year-round offerings. See our popular links and upcoming events at our One-Stop.
As for our past A to Z Challenges…
Story Crossroads celebrates the hybrid Summit & Festival on May 13-16, 2024 – yes, in-person and virtual – and would be honored for you to join us. Explore the schedule and register here: http://www.storycrossroads.org/Festival
Thanks to funding from National Endowment for the Arts; National Endowment for the Humanities; Western States Arts Federation; Utah Division of Arts and Museums/Utah Legislature; Utah Humanities; City of Murray; Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) of Salt Lake County; Salt Lake City Arts Council; and people like you.