The Legend of Cupak

The legend of Cupak (choo-puck), the glutton of Balinese mythology, and his semi-divine brother, Grantang, is typical of oral history in that it appears as many versions. Here is one of them. Once upon a time were born to a poor Balinese farming couple two sons. The first-born was called Cupak and from birth he displayed all the characteristics of the proverbial grasshopper. He played and gurgled and ate, and ate and gurgled and played, all day long. Nevertheless, although a burden to his parents, he was a source of joy to them, and the apple of their eyes. The second son, Grantang, was completely overshadowed by his ebullient brother, and his integrity and diligence passed largely unnoticed. His slight stature, noble countenance, and mild demeanour were as a puny candle to Cupak's lighthouse radiance.

Their father grew old and feeble and, as he worked less and less in the rice field, Cupak spent more and more time flitting hither and thither, leaving all the work to Grantang. Of course, Grantang never complained, but the mischievous Cupak still was not satisfied and decided to play a trick on Grantang, his unsuspecting young brother. One evening, after having spent all day by the stream idling, sleeping and consuming all of the midday meal provided for both boys, Cupak daubed himself with mud and returned home before Grantang. “Oh dear! Oh dear!” he sighed wearily as he entered the cottage. “I'm so tired that I haven't even bathed yet. I've been working all day in the sawah (rice paddy) and didn't even have lunch. Grantang went off gallivanting this morning and took all of the food with him”.

At this moment Grantang entered the cottage. He was his usual neat, clean and serene self, not only having done his and Cupak's day's labour, but also having cleaned and stored the tools and bathed himself. His parents were enraged and, without any thought of doubting Cupak's story, ordered Grantang out of their house and their lives. Cupak realised that this time he had gone too far. He pleaded Grantang's cause as a wayward lad but nevertheless as a mother's son, and finally persuaded the parents to allow him to follow Grantang into the forest with a hamper of food. The darkening woods closed about him and he was soon lost to view of both the cottage and the civilization that he knew. Never before had he penetrated so far into this part of the forest. Soon Cupak's meagre courage deserted him and he turned to flee, only to be confronted by a maze of paths. He was lost!

“Oh dear! Oh dear!” he wailed. “I'm lost. What is to become of me?” But he had nothing to fear. His cries of distress carried to Grantang resting nearby, and he immediately came to Cupak's aid. Great was the joy of both brothers at their reconciliation. The relief of Cupak's fears reminded him that he'd walked a long way following Grantang and that he was, yet again, hungry. “Grantang”, he said. “I'll lay out this delicious feast that mother has provided while you go off and get some water from the stream”. So saying, he handed Grantang the food basket. Never wishing to challenge his older brother, Grantang did as he was bid, but it took him a long time to collect water from the stream in a basket! When he finally returned to the clearing there was Cupak stretched out on the ground fast asleep, snoring thunderously, and no sign of any food. Gently, Grantang shook Cupak awake and proffered him the water. “Oh, thanks, Grantang”, gasped Cupak. “I'm so thirsty after all that – uh – waiting”, and he gulped down all the water, sighed contentedly, and belched loudly. “But, alas alack!' he cried in apparent sudden realization. “Where's all the food gone? A wild dog must have eaten it”. Grantang closed his eyes to Cupak's bulging belly and rice-strewn beard and, as usual, said nothing.

The brothers rested till first light then, in the warming rays of the rising sun, made their way through the thinning forest and out into the cultivated fields of the neighbouring kingdom. Soon they were on the outskirts of a large and prosperous-looking town. Bright were the red roofs and clean and shining the white walls, but the few people to be seen were scurrying from door to door with anxious looks and hurried greetings. Cupak and Grantang found their way to the market but it, too, was almost deserted. However, ever-hungry Cupak's nose led them to a well-stocked warung (food stall) and, at long last, Grantang was able to break his fast. Once their hunger was satisfied, which in Grantang's case meant a modest meal but which for Cupak required many “second” helpings till he was groaning happily, the brothers quizzed the warung keeper about the puzzling absence of people.

“Oh, you must be complete strangers to these parts not to know the dreadful plight of our kingdom”, exclaimed the harassed merchant. “A giant raksasa (demon) has been terrorising the populace, wantonly killing, and plundering at random. Now, to cap all, he has captured the King's fair daughter and retreated to his lair deep in the forest. The King is frantic with worry for the beautiful Princess, his only child, and is offering as reward to her rescuer her hand in marriage and heirdom to the throne”. “That's for us, eh, Grantang”, exulted the greedy Cupak, instantly overflowing with visions of the riches and rewards. As usual, he didn't pause for a second to consider the matter, whereas Grantang was engrossed in quietly analysing the perils and problems of the venture, and ways of overcoming them.

Of course, Cupak was blissfully oblivious to his brother's musings, and all the way to the palace bubbled over with plans, not of how to kill the raksasa , but for his glorious future. The King was delighted to receive the gallant young crusaders for, to tell the truth, his subjects had become soft with the easy living in his bountiful kingdom, and not one man had come forward to challenge the raksasa . “God speed, my boys”, he cried. “You are my only hope. The best of luck to you”. Cupak, chest stuck out like a pouter-pigeon rather than leading with his ample abdomen as was usual, proudly led Grantang along the streets now lined with the cheering populace, and across the fields and into the forest. But it was a different matter once they had penetrated the gloom of the deep woods. “You first, Grantang”, urged Cupak, as he pushed his brother in front of him. “You know I've no sense of direction and I'll lose us both”. Cupak was showing his true colours once again.

Grantang unhesitatingly and unerringly led the way by twisting dark trails and knotted trees, straight to the cave where dwelt the raksasa . It was as if he was guided by an unearthly presence. The sight of the cave and the noise of the raksasa's grumbling roars was too much for Cupak and he could hardly stand so frightened was he. Grantang then took complete control and spake thus: “I'll confront the raksasa , Cupak, while you observe in safety from the limb of this stout tree”. “But Grantang”, wailed Cupak. “I've no head for heights. I'll fall and hurt myself”. “No you won't”, countered Grantang, firmly. “Tie yourself in place with your big belt, then just stay still and quiet. When the battle's over you'll know immediately if I've won and killed the raksasa because there'll be an earthquake as a sign. If, however, the raksasa kills me, you will see my white blood flow from the cave, and you must run to safety”.

So! Now we know! Grantang is an earthly manifestation of the great god, Wisnu the Preserver. It is he who is guiding Grantang, not only along the paths of the dark woods, but also the spiritual paths of righteousness. He, too, will cause the phenomena describe by Grantang which will indicate the result of the battle.

The stage was set and Grantang forthwith entered the cave and unflinchingly confronted the demonic foe. His bold onslaught forced the raksasa to relinquish his hold on the Princess who seized her chance and ran from the cave. But she, too, had great spirit and ran no further than Cupak's tree where she sheltered and cried encouragement to her valiant saviour. Far into the day the fight raged on, and thunderous were the sounds of the clashes between the forces of Good and Evil as personified by Grantang and the raksasa . The sun was well into its passage across the heavens when Cupak, dazed from fear of the otherworldly confrontation, was suddenly aware of an ominous silence. For a moment the world stood still. Then the very trees danced as a violent earthquake shook the ground until finally, with a tremendous roar, the mouth of the cave collapsed and sealed in its occupants.

As Cupak and the princess watched in horror a flood of white blood gushed from beneath the stones. Cupak had quite forgotten the omen of the earthquake and believed that Grantang was dead and the raksasa buried forever. The Princess fainted away at the sight of the blood and was in a deep swoon so Cupak, never one to look a gift-horse in the mouth, bore her back to the palace in triumph, and there received the accolades of the populace and the bounty of the King. Cupak was quite happy to postpone the marriage celebrations until the Princess recovered, and whiled away his days at his favourite pastime - eating!

Meanwhile, in the cave, the true state of affairs was quite different to that as imagined by the onlookers. The raksasa was dead! Grantang had won! The raksasa , indeed, had been a formidable foe; he had been a giant among raksasas , imbued with magical powers that only a god could hope to combat. The extent of the raksasa 's satanic might was finally revealed as his life's blood spurted from him – it, too, was white !

Grantang was nigh mortally wounded and for a long time lay, insensible to the passage of time. Gradually he came to his senses and realized his situation. Undaunted by the seemingly hopeless prospects, he set about escaping from his rocky prison. First assuaging his hunger upon the body of his former opponent, he then took one of the raksasa's ribs and proceeded to dig his way out of the cave. So he persevered and, after many weeks of digging, he eventually emerged from the rocky tomb. But what a sorry sight. Existing only on the rank meat of the raksasa had reduced Grantang's slender, noble body to a skinny, smelly wreck.

Unperturbed, he went straight to the palace and past the many guards right into the Princess's bedchamber. Despite his disreputable appearance the guards were aware of his spiritual aura and bowed him through. The King and Cupak were immediately notified of the stranger's coming and rushed to the Princess's apartments. They were just in time to witness Grantang brush his lips against those of the Princess. She woke instantly from her swoon as if not a moment had passed since the long ago day of the conflict. It goes without saying that, despite his unseemly state, she recognized her saviour Grantang, and all was revealed to the King.

The King would have had Cupak's head but, magnanimous to the end, Grantang persuaded him to commute the punishment to that of banishment – exile, that is, to the royal kitchens. Cupak, for all his faults, was a loving brother – his other love, FOOD, got him into trouble. With marriage to the beautiful Princess and assumption of heirdom to the throne, Grantang finally received his earthly dues, and Cupak the gourmet desires of his dreams.

And so they all lived happily ever after.

Finis