SWAN RIDER

One night in the vast sea. Heavy rains and ferocious waves tossed a wooden boat. Not long after, the stern of the boat hit a reef and broke. Chaos occurs, the passengers scramble to save themselves. Were there any survivors? Unpredictable. In the panic, a woman who carried a baby boy, plunged into the water and holds a fraction wooden of boat broke. The woman whispered, "Oh my Lord, I submit our fate to You!" The waves carried the woman away from the boat which were increasingly lurking in the depths of the water. The baby hugged tightly. The baby's crying was gone. The woman's strength was getting weaker. When saw a black shadow, a small island, she mobilized remaining her strength to deliver her baby up on land.

Meanwhile, on the small island, a doe staring the rampaging sea. In rain, the doe saw a shadow emerged from the water. The deer approached. The woman landed and felt limp. The baby fell at the feet of the deer and the woman swept by sea again. The baby cried with the weak voice. The doe dragged the wet blanket and its content into the cave, then enfolded the baby to provide warmth. The greatness of God happens everywhere, the baby was suckled by the deer. The baby was alive and growing up. Milk deer and fish make him survived. The deer getting old and eventually die. The boy lives alone in the small island.

Every year, at the change of seasons, the group of geese crossing the island. But no one willing to settle, even if only briefly. Until one day there was a very large goose who stopped and left a large egg. The little boy was delighted. The eggs were looked at with awe. A month later the eggs hatched. The gosling was fed with fish so growing up, big, and strong. Aha,he was very happy to have friends!

Elsewhere, in a house not far from the coastal city, which far from the island, an old wise man awakened by a dream. The dream told him to go somewhere. "It is the third same dream. I was told to cross the sea, to the southwest. I think Lord will show me something."

The wise old man out of the house and took the slippers. He stepped into the white sand of the beaches. The night was still dark, he stared around, there was nobody. He approached the palm trees which had just dropped the dried fronds. The leaves was woven into a small boat and then thrown into the sea. He drived the small boat. Subbanallah, coconut midrib hurtle over the water to the southwest.

The next morning he arrived on a desert island. He saw a boy who was riding a big goose. "Allahu Akbar!" He astonished. Because the boy was not wearing a shirt, he took his turban cloth and made a clothes for the boy. The boy was very happy. A week later, there was a ship that passed not far from the small island. The old man made a fire sign and the ship came. The old man, the son, and geese left the small island. The boy and the geese was brought to his home. The boy was taught the human civilization. "Your name is Togo, The Swan Rider!" The boy nodded and kissed the hands of the wise old man. "And you, The Swan, your name is Undan."

"Kaaakkkk ....," cried the goose while flapping the wings. Wow, the smart swan! One day the old man told Togo, "My grandson, I'm old and the day of my death is near. In fact, I still have a task to finish. Would you help me?"

Togo answered, "Insha Allah, if God willing, I am pleased to be able to carry out your duty."

The old man said, "The long time ago I compiled book of poetry of the Prophets, which I gathered from every corner of the world. But the contents of the book was disappear. The book was hit by a storm while I was sailing home. Scattered, and I don't know where. Look for the same poem. Look at the islands and lands, ask the people you meet. Insha Allah, you'll find the poems."

"So, I must leave Grandfather alone?" asked Togo.

The old mad said, "But our hearts are not separate, my grandson. Go with Undan. You are able to fly anywhere." He called Undan. "Take Togo where he was going. You are brothers and have to help each other. Togo, because you're a child of nature, then you can talk the human language wherever you are."

Togo asked, "When we were allowed to leave?"

Wise grandfather replied, "Tomorrow morning, just after dawn."

"What supplies should I bring?"

The old man laughed. "Are you not know that I am a poor. I can't give you something, except prayer. God will help you."

The night, the old man and Togo praying together, for the safety. The next morning, after the dawn prayer, Togo said goodbye and ask for blessing. Undan was ready. He was flapping the wings. "The Swan Rider, departed! Come on, Undan, bring your brother around the world!" said the wise old man. "If your job has been completed, go here. Undan will take you home."

Togo hugging the old man with his tears. The old man said, "Go!" Togo climbed onto the swan's back, then the goose take off. Swirled briefly, gave farewell. "Fly to the sunset!" cried the old man. As Togo and swan fly away, the old man wiped his wet eyes. "Allah will protect them."

Undan flew highly. Where did they go? Oh, they went to the sunset as the wise old man command. Togo clung the swan strengly because the wind was very strong at the sky. "Undan, do not fly too fast!" shouted Togo. In the distance, a storm was getting closer to them. "Turning direction!" cried Togo. But too late, the storm hit them. Undan couldn't control the direction of flight. "Where are we?" shouted Togo and his head felt dizzy. They were taken by the storm. Once the storm subsided, there was a vast land with green pastures. Rabbit, kangaroo, dingo, and much more. Where were they? Undan landed to rest. "How long we have taken by the storm?" asked Togo. The big swan tilted his head.

Behind a bush, a hunter watched them. He brandished a weapon which the form of curved wood. "Aaak!" shouted Undan, told Togo that someone stalking them. Togo alert. Some arrows flew towards them. But no one hit them, it was intentional. Some people surrounded Togo and Undan. Togo did not know that it was very dangerous, but he was not trained for it. He was confused. At the moment a man came and the others retreated to give way to him. "Who are you?" asked the man who had just come. He was the tribal leader.

Togo answered, "The old man named me as Togo, The Swan Rider. This is Undan, my brother."

"We saw you flying by the huge bird. If we ask you for an help?" asked the tribal leader.

"Ask for an help? Help for what?" asked Togo.