Chapter :

Once upon a time in Java, there was a young man named Jaka Tarub. One day, as he strolled by a serene lake, he stumbled upon a breathtaking sight. Seven beautiful women, who were angels, were bathing and playing in the water, their laughter echoing through the air. Jaka Tarub was mesmerized by their beauty and couldn't take his eyes off them.

Intrigued and captivated, Jaka Tarub noticed that each angel had a shawl lying on the shore. An idea sparked in his mind. He stealthily approached the shawls and took one. When the angels finished their bath, they dressed up and began looking for their shawls to return to heaven. One angel, Nawang Wulan, couldn't find hers. Her sisters searched everywhere, but as dusk fell, they had to leave, sorrowfully departing without her.

Nawang Wulan was left alone, feeling lost and heartbroken. Just then, Jaka Tarub approached her, pretending to be a kind stranger. He offered to help and invited her to his home. Grateful and with no other choice, Nawang Wulan accepted his offer. Over time, they grew close, fell in love, and eventually got married. They were blessed with a beautiful daughter named Nawangsih.

Before their marriage, Nawang Wulan had one condition for Jaka Tarub: he must never inquire about her household chores. She had a magical secret—she could cook a pot of rice using just one grain, producing an endless supply. Jaka Tarub was mystified but promised not to ask questions.

However, Jaka Tarub's curiosity got the better of him. One day, while Nawang Wulan was away, he peeked into the pot where she cooked the rice. He saw a single grain of rice and quickly closed the lid, feeling guilty but also more curious. That act, however, broke the magic. From then on, Nawang Wulan had to cook like an ordinary woman, pounding and winnowing rice every day.

As the rice supply dwindled, Nawang Wulan discovered her angelic shawl hidden in the grain barn. She realized that Jaka Tarub had taken it from her. Heartbroken and angry, she confronted him. Despite his apologies and pleas, Nawang Wulan decided she had to return to heaven. She left Jaka Tarub and their daughter, though she promised to visit occasionally to nurse Nawangsih. However, there was one condition: Jaka Tarub must leave Nawangsih alone near the lake and never be present during these visits.

Jaka Tarub agreed, holding back his sorrow and accepting that he would not see Nawang Wulan again. With a heavy heart, he watched as the angel flew away, leaving him and Nawangsih behind.