LETTERS OF A JAVANESE PRINCESS
days and three nights. You can imagine the delight and gratitude of the people, because now it has rained. Their prayers were effectual and do you know what they say now? We cannot get the idea out of their heads, that we had a share in it.
Before this at other places the people had held "sembajang istira," but never a drop of rain fell. Chance willed it that we should be present at the solemnities here, so our simple people draw the conclusion that we gave strength to that last prayer and supplication which, plainly, was heard and answered.
Such childlike, confiding faith is touching.
I wish so often that I had a photographic apparatus and could make a permanent record of some of the curious things that I see among our people. There is so much which we should like to preserve, so that we could give to outsiders a true picture of us Javanese.
It would mean so much more than mere written description if they would see the whole scene on the paddi — the buffaloes and the botjok — angongs[1] included. I could then write what I, as a child of Java, think and feel about these things.
You know that I am always glad to be able to do anything for you, and when you ask a favour of me, it is a joyful occasion. I am also glad to do what I can for "East and West." I feel that I am only doing myself a service, for it is for our people, and I and my people are one. So dispose of my time as you will, with a quiet mind, and do not be afraid that you will be asking too much of me. I only ask your forebearance when something that you have ordered does not come quickly enough.
I have talked with the goldsmith about going to Solo to learn to work in tortoiseshell there. He is eager to go; already he can make little
- ↑ Boys who herd bufifaloes.
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