Indonesian Short Stories

On the eve of Eid (Lebaran), Aisyah helps light oil lamps and notices the house of Grandma Minah, who lives alone, is still dark. Aisyah and her mother bring her a lamp, ketupat rice cakes and chicken curry. Grandma Minah feels less lonely, and it becomes Aisyah’s most meaningful Eid.

Momo the little monkey secretly eats the bananas saved for the harvest party until only one is left. Tempted to blame the cockatoo, he confesses instead. His mother thanks him for his honesty, and Momo helps pick new bananas for the party.

Rina loves stars and planets. One night a glowing little spaceship takes her on a tour: bouncing on the Moon, passing red Mars, seeing Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, and finally the beautiful blue Earth. She wakes up wanting to be a space scientist.

Coco the snail is always late because his steps are small, and his friends laugh. When he misses the cake at a picnic, a ladybug helps the others understand. The next picnic is held right by Coco’s house, and the friends learn to wait for each other.

During a stormy night the power goes out and Bima and his little sister Sinta get scared. Grandma brings an oil lamp and tells them about her childhood village without electricity — counting stars and watching fireflies over the rice fields. Her lullaby sends them to sleep.