Abunawas & His Impossible Missions
by Sugeng Hariyanto
Draining off the Sea
Two days after Abunawas wrapped the sun, he was called to the palace again. The king greeted him warmly. He said, "Abu, you are very great.You can put the sun in a bag."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Our sea has been polluted. We will be able to clean it up when it is dry. Now I want you to drain off the sea," said the king.
Then Abunawas went home. On the way he saw some children look for fish in a small stream by the streat. They drained off a small hole by the stream with a pail. Abunawas smiled. He got an idea.
Early the next morning it was very crowded around the palace. A lot of people dug several big holes around the palace. Some guards asked for for explanation to Abunawas, but they were ignored. The people kept on digging the holes.
The guards notified the king about the strange happening around the palace.
"What's the matter?" asked the king.
"Abunawas and his friends dig many holes around the palace," reported one of the guards.
"Why don't you stop them?" asked the king.
"They ignored us. You have to see it yourself, Your Majesty," said the other guard.
Then the king went out of the main building to the yard. He was surprised when he saw the palace fence nearly fall down. "Bring Abunawas here," he shouted to one of the guards.
The guard ran to Abunawas, "Abu, Abu ... the king calls you!" he shouted.
"Did deeper! Deeper!" Abunawas kept giving orders as if he had not heard anything.
The king saw Abunawas did not pay any attention to the guard. He walked toward himself.
"Abu, Abu ... Stop!" shouted the king.
Abunawas pretended to be surprised. He paid homage and said, "Yes, Your Majesty". Then he asked his friends to stop digging.
The king said, "What are you doing, Abu? Don't you know that you almost destroy the palace? I can punish you right now!"
"Your Majesty, I just do you order," answered Abunawas.
"I've never ordered you to destroy my own palace. Tell me what are you doing!" said the king.
"We're making a dam."
"A dam? What is it for?" asked the king.
"Yesterday you ordered me to drain up the sea. The dam is for the sea water. If I drain up the sea and don't make any dam for the water, there will be a big flood in this country," answered Abunawas. "So, today we make the dam and tomorrow we will drain the sea!"
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