10 Cerita Rakyat Bahasa Inggris Singkat dengan Arti dan Pesan Moral

Belajar cerita rakyat bahasa Inggris adalah cara efektif membantu mengembangkan kemampuan reading, vocabulary, pronunciation, dan storytelling.

Cerita rakyat juga sarat nilai moral sehingga sangat cocok untuk pembelajaran karakter sejak dini.

Ini dia, beberapa cerita rakyat Indonesia yang telah kami terjemahkan dalam Bahasa Inggris lengkap dengan pesan moralnya.

Simak selengkapnya!

 

1. The Legend of Mount Tangkuban Parahu (Legenda Gunung Tangkuban Parahu)

 

English Version

A long time ago in West Java, lived a beautiful woman named Dayang Sumbi. She had a son named Sangkuriang. One day, Sangkuriang went hunting with his loyal dog, Tumang (who was actually his father under a curse). Because he couldn’t find any deer, he accidentally killed Tumang. When Dayang Sumbi found out, she was so angry that she hit Sangkuriang’s head and kicked him out.

Years later, Sangkuriang returned as a strong young man and fell in love with a beautiful woman, not knowing she was his mother. Dayang Sumbi recognized the scar on his head. To prevent the marriage, she challenged him to build a lake and a giant boat before sunrise. Sangkuriang almost succeeded with the help of spirits. Panicked, Dayang Sumbi waved a red silk scarf to mimic the dawn, making the roosters crow. Sangkuriang was so furious at his failure that he kicked the boat, and it turned into Mount Tangkuban Parahu.

 

Terjemahan Bahasa Indonesia

Dahulu kala di Jawa Barat, hiduplah seorang wanita cantik bernama Dayang Sumbi yang memiliki putra bernama Sangkuriang. Suatu hari, Sangkuriang berburu bersama anjing setianya, Tumang, yang sebenarnya adalah ayahnya yang dikutuk. Karena gagal menemukan rusa, ia tidak sengaja membunuh Tumang. Saat mengetahuinya, Dayang Sumbi sangat marah hingga memukul kepala Sangkuriang dengan sendok kayu dan mengusirnya.

Bertahun-tahun kemudian, Sangkuriang kembali sebagai pemuda sakti dan jatuh cinta pada Dayang Sumbi tanpa tahu itu ibunya. Dayang Sumbi mengenali bekas luka di kepalanya. Untuk membatalkan pernikahan, ia menantang Sangkuriang membuat danau dan perahu besar dalam semalam. Sangkuriang hampir berhasil dengan bantuan makhluk halus. Panik, Dayang Sumbi mengibaskan kain sutra merah untuk meniru fajar, membuat ayam berkokok. Mengira ia gagal, Sangkuriang menendang perahu itu dengan marah hingga berubah menjadi Gunung Tangkuban Parahu.

 

Pesan Moral

• Kejujuran sangat penting.
• Jangan menuruti emosi.
• Menerima kenyataan dengan bijak.

 

2. The Origin of Lake Toba (Asal Usul Danau Toba)

 

English Version

In a small village in North Sumatra, there lived a farmer named Toba. One day, he caught a large golden fish in the river. To his amazement, the fish transformed into a beautiful woman. She thanked Toba for breaking her curse and agreed to marry him, but on one condition: Toba must never tell anyone that she was once a fish.

They lived happily and had a son named Samosir. Samosir was a bit lazy and always hungry. One day, Samosir was asked to bring lunch to his father in the field, but he ate most of it on the way. When Toba saw the empty basket, he lost his temper and shouted, “You son of a fish!” Suddenly, the earth began to shake and water poured out from the ground. His wife and son disappeared, and the valley filled with water, becoming Lake Toba.

 

Terjemahan Bahasa Indonesia

Di sebuah desa di Sumatera Utara, hiduplah petani bernama Toba yang menangkap ikan emas ajaib yang berubah menjadi wanita cantik. Mereka menikah dengan syarat Toba tidak boleh membocorkan rahasia bahwa istrinya adalah ikan. Mereka dikaruniai anak bernama Samosir yang sangat rakus. Suatu hari, Samosir memakan bekal ayahnya di tengah jalan. Toba yang kelaparan hilang kesabaran dan berteriak, “Dasar kau anak ikan!” Seketika bumi berguncang dan hujan lebat turun. Istri dan anaknya menghilang, lalu lembah itu terisi air menjadi Danau Toba dengan Pulau Samosir di tengahnya.

 

Pesan Moral

• Tepati janji.
• Jaga rahasia.
• Kata-kata dapat membawa akibat besar.

 

3. The Story of Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih (Kisah Bawang Merah dan Bawang Putih)

 

English Version

Bawang Putih was a diligent and kind girl who lived with her cruel stepmother and stepsister, Bawang Merah. One day, while washing clothes in the river, Bawang Putih lost her stepmother’s favorite scarf. She followed the river and met an old woman who promised to return the scarf if Bawang Putih helped her clean the house. Bawang Putih worked hard and was given a small pumpkin as a reward. When she opened it at home, it was full of gold and jewelry.

Seeing this, Bawang Merah and her mother were greedy. They went to the old woman and demanded a large pumpkin without helping her properly. When they arrived home and opened the large pumpkin, it was not filled with gold, but with snakes and scorpions that chased them away.

 

Terjemahan Bahasa Indonesia

Bawang Putih adalah gadis rajin yang tinggal bersama ibu tiri dan saudara tiri yang kejam, Bawang Merah. Suatu hari, Bawang Putih hanyutkan selendang ibunya di sungai. Ia bertemu nenek tua yang memberikan labu kecil sebagai hadiah atas bantuannya. Labu itu ternyata berisi emas. Bawang Merah yang serakah mengikuti jejaknya namun dengan sengaja menghanyutkan selendang dan memaksa minta hadiah labu besar tanpa mau bekerja keras. Saat dibuka, labu besar itu justru berisi ular dan kalajengking yang mengejar mereka.

 

Pesan Moral

• Bersikap baik akan membawa kebaikan.
• Keserakahan merugikan diri sendiri.

 

4. The Story of Malin Kundang (Kisah Malin Kundang)

 

English Version

Malin Kundang was a poor boy who lived with his mother by the beach. He decided to go to the big city to change their fate. After many years of hard work, he became a very wealthy merchant with a huge ship. When his ship docked at his home village, his mother ran to greet him. However, Malin Kundang was ashamed of his mother’s ragged clothes in front of his beautiful wife.

He pushed his mother away and denied that she was his mother. Heartbroken, she cried and prayed to God. Suddenly, a violent storm hit his ship. Malin Kundang realized his mistake and knelt to ask for forgiveness, but it was too late. He was turned into a stone forever.

 

Terjemahan Bahasa Indonesia

Malin Kundang adalah anak miskin yang merantau dan berhasil menjadi pedagang kaya raya. Saat kapalnya bersandar di desa asal, ibunya datang menyambut dengan penuh rindu. Namun, Malin malu mengakui ibunya yang berpakaian compang-camping di depan istrinya yang cantik. Ia mendorong ibunya dan berkata bahwa ia tidak mengenalnya. Dengan hati hancur, sang ibu berdoa. Badai besar datang menghancurkan kapal Malin, dan Malin yang sedang bersujud memohon ampun pun dikutuk menjadi batu.

 

Pesan Moral

• Hormati orang tua.
• Jangan sombong.
• Ingat asal-usul.

 

5. Roro Jonggrang and Prambanan Temple (Roro Jonggrang dan Candi Prambanan)

 

English Version

Bandung Bondowoso wanted to marry the beautiful Princess Roro Jonggrang. She didn’t want to marry him because he had killed her father. She gave him an impossible task: to build 1,000 temples in one night. Bandung Bondowoso used his supernatural powers to call genies. By midnight, they had built 999 temples.

Roro Jonggrang was worried. She asked the village women to pound rice and burn hay to make it look like the sun was rising. The genies, thinking it was morning, fled back to the ground. When Bandung realized he was tricked, he was furious. He cursed Roro Jonggrang to be the 1,000th statue to complete the temple.

 

Terjemahan Bahasa Indonesia

Bandung Bondowoso ingin menikahi Roro Jonggrang, namun Roro menolak karena Bandung telah membunuh ayahnya. Ia memberi syarat mustahil: membangun 1.000 candi dalam semalam. Dengan bantuan jin, Bandung hampir selesai sebelum tengah malam. Roro Jonggrang yang panik memerintahkan warga menumbuk padi dan membakar jerami agar suasana tampak seperti fajar. Jin-jin lari karena takut sinar matahari. Sadar telah dicurangi, Bandung murka dan mengutuk Roro Jonggrang menjadi arca ke-1.000 untuk melengkapi candi tersebut.

 

Pesan Moral

• Kejujuran itu penting.
• Jangan menipu orang lain.

 

6. Timun Mas and The Giant (Timun Mas dan Raksasa)

 

English Version

An old widow found a baby inside a giant golden cucumber and named her Timun Mas. A giant had given her the seed on the condition that he would eat the child when she turned 17. To save Timun Mas, the widow gave her four pouches of magic seeds.

When the giant chased her, Timun Mas threw cucumber seeds which became a thick forest, then salt which became a sea, and chili which became thorny bushes. Finally, she threw shrimp paste which turned the ground into a boiling mud lake. The giant was trapped and drowned, and Timun Mas lived happily with her mother.

 

Terjemahan Bahasa Indonesia

Seorang janda tua menemukan bayi di dalam timun emas dan menamainya Timun Mas. Raksasa pemberi benih meminta Timun Mas dikembalikan untuk dimakan saat usia 17 tahun. Untuk menyelamatkannya, janda itu memberi Timun Mas empat kantong ajaib. Saat dikejar raksasa, Timun Mas menebar biji timun menjadi hutan lebat, garam menjadi laut, cabai menjadi semak berduri, dan terakhir terasi menjadi lautan lumpur panas yang menenggelamkan raksasa tersebut.

 

Pesan Moral

• Berani dan cerdas menghadapi masalah.
• Kasih orang tua melindungi anak.

 

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7. The Legend of Crying Rock (Legenda Batu Menangis)

 

English Version

In West Kalimantan, there lived a beautiful but very lazy and spoiled girl. One day, she went to the market with her mother. The girl wore beautiful clothes while her mother walked behind her, carrying a heavy basket. When people asked who the old woman was, the girl said, “She is my servant.”

The mother’s heart was broken. She prayed to God to punish her daughter. Suddenly, the girl’s body slowly turned into stone. She cried and begged for forgiveness, but it was too late. The stone continued to shed tears, which is why it is called the Crying Rock.

 

Terjemahan Bahasa Indonesia

Di Kalimantan Barat, ada gadis cantik yang sangat manja dan malas. Saat pergi ke pasar bersama ibunya, ia tampil anggun sementara ibunya membawa beban berat di belakang. Ketika ditanya orang, gadis itu menjawab bahwa ibunya adalah pelayannya. Sang ibu yang sakit hati berdoa memohon keadilan. Tubuh gadis itu perlahan membatu. Ia menangis memohon ampun, namun nasi sudah menjadi bubur. Batu itu terus mengeluarkan air mata hingga disebut Batu Menangis.

 

Pesan Moral

• Jangan durhaka.
• Hargai orang tua.

 

8. The Story of Jaka Tarub (Kisah Jaka Tarub)

 

English Version

Jaka Tarub was a young man who stole a magic shawl from an angel named Nawang Wulan while she was bathing in a lake. Without her shawl, she couldn’t fly back to heaven. Jaka Tarub married her and they had a daughter. One day, Nawang Wulan found her shawl hidden in the rice barn. She realized Jaka Tarub had lied to her. Even though she was sad, she decided to return to heaven, leaving Jaka Tarub and their daughter behind.

 

Terjemahan Bahasa Indonesia

Jaka Tarub mencuri selendang bidadari bernama Nawang Wulan saat sedang mandi di telaga. Karena kehilangan selendangnya, Nawang Wulan tidak bisa kembali ke khayangan. Mereka pun menikah dan punya anak. Suatu hari, Nawang Wulan menemukan selendangnya yang disembunyikan Jaka Tarub di lumbung padi. Sadar telah dibohongi, Nawang Wulan memutuskan kembali ke khayangan dan meninggalkan Jaka Tarub serta anaknya.

 

Pesan Moral

• Kejujuran membangun kepercayaan.
• Kebohongan merusak hubungan.

 

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9. The Story of Lutung Kasarung (Cerita Rakyat Lutung Kasarung)

 

English Version

Princess Purbasari was exiled to the forest by her sister, Purbararang, who was jealous and cursed her skin. In the forest, Purbasari met a black monkey named Lutung Kasarung. The monkey helped her heal her skin and protected her. In the end, Purbararang challenged Purbasari to a beauty contest. Lutung Kasarung turned into a handsome prince, proving that Purbasari had a better fiancé. Purbasari became the queen and forgave her sister.

 

Terjemahan Bahasa Indonesia

Putri Purbasari diasingkan ke hutan oleh kakaknya, Purbararang, yang iri dan mengutuk kulitnya. Di hutan, ia berteman dengan monyet hitam bernama Lutung Kasarung. Monyet itu membantunya sembuh dan melindunginya. Saat Purbararang menantang adu ketampanan tunangan, Lutung Kasarung berubah menjadi pangeran tampan. Purbasari pun menjadi ratu dan tetap memaafkan kakaknya yang jahat.

 

Pesan Moral

• Jangan menilai dari penampilan.
• Kebaikan membawa keajaiban.

 

10. The Story of The Golden Snail (Cerita Keong Mas)

 

English Version

Princess Candra Kirana was turned into a golden snail by an evil witch who worked for her jealous sister. An old woman found the snail and kept it. Every day, the woman found her house clean and food served on the table. She later found out that the snail was the princess. Prince Raden Inu Kertapati finally found her, and the curse was broken by their true love. They lived happily ever after.

 

Terjemahan Bahasa Indonesia

Putri Candra Kirana dikutuk menjadi keong mas oleh penyihir atas perintah saudaranya yang iri. Seorang nenek menemukan keong itu. Setiap hari, si nenek terkejut melihat rumahnya sudah bersih dan ada makanan di meja. Ternyata keong itu berubah menjadi putri saat nenek pergi. Pangeran Raden Inu Kertapati akhirnya berhasil menemukannya, kutukan pun sirna berkat cinta sejati, dan mereka hidup bahagia.

 

Pesan Moral

• Bersabar dalam kesulitan.
• Kebaikan akan menang.

 

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