The Tale of the Two Onions

Once upon a time, in a small village nestled amidst rolling hills, lived two sisters, Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih. Bawang Merah, the elder, was known for her fiery temper and selfish nature, while Bawang Putih, the younger, possessed a gentle heart and a kind spirit. Their mother, a loving woman, had passed away, leaving them in the care of their stepmother, a cruel and greedy woman. The stepmother favored Bawang Merah, showering her with affection and gifts, while treating Bawang Putih with disdain and cruelty. She forced Bawang Putih to do all the chores, from cooking and cleaning to fetching water from the well. Bawang Putih, despite the hardships, remained patient and obedient, always striving to please her stepmother. One day, the stepmother sent Bawang Merah to the market to sell some vegetables. She instructed Bawang Putih to stay home and finish the chores. However, Bawang Merah, being cunning and deceitful, decided to take advantage of the situation. She sold the vegetables and kept all the money for herself, returning home empty-handed. When the stepmother inquired about the money, Bawang Merah lied, claiming that she had sold everything but had not received any money. The stepmother, believing her lies, turned her anger towards Bawang Putih, accusing her of stealing the money. Bawang Putih, innocent and helpless, could only weep silently. The stepmother, enraged by Bawang Putih's supposed theft, decided to punish her. She ordered Bawang Putih to go to the well and fetch water. However, she had secretly placed a heavy stone at the bottom of the well, hoping to drown Bawang Putih. Bawang Putih, unaware of the stepmother's evil plan, went to the well and lowered the bucket. As she pulled it up, she felt an immense weight. She struggled with all her might, but the stone was too heavy. Just as she was about to give up, a kind old woman appeared and offered her help. The old woman, seeing Bawang Putih's plight, used her magic to lift the stone from the bucket. Bawang Putih, grateful for the woman's kindness, thanked her profusely. The old woman, touched by Bawang Putih's gentle nature, revealed that she was a fairy and had been watching over her. The fairy, knowing of the stepmother's cruelty, decided to help Bawang Putih. She gave her a magical seed and instructed her to plant it in the garden. The fairy warned Bawang Putih to be careful, as the stepmother would try to stop her. Bawang Putih, following the fairy's instructions, planted the seed in the garden. Soon, a beautiful and magical tree grew, bearing golden fruits. The stepmother, seeing the tree, became envious and demanded that Bawang Putih give her the fruits. Bawang Putih, fearing her stepmother's wrath, refused to give her the fruits. The stepmother, enraged by her refusal, decided to punish her again. She ordered Bawang Putih to climb the tree and pick the fruits. However, she had secretly cut the branches of the tree, hoping that Bawang Putih would fall and be injured. Bawang Putih, unaware of the stepmother's treachery, climbed the tree. As she reached for the fruits, the branches snapped, and she fell to the ground. However, the fairy, watching over her, intervened and saved her from harm. The fairy, seeing the stepmother's wickedness, decided to punish her. She transformed the stepmother into a hideous monster, and she was banished from the village forever. Bawang Putih, finally free from her stepmother's cruelty, lived happily ever after with the fairy, who became her guardian and friend. The tale of Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih teaches us the importance of kindness, honesty, and perseverance. It reminds us that even in the face of adversity, good will always triumph over evil. And that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a brighter future.