Mat Jenin: The Daydreamer

Translated by: Khidir M. Yazir / Kid Haidér

This is the tale of a young orphan named Mat Jenin. He resided alone in a humble village shack that once belonged to his parents. The dwelling was in a state of disrepair, with slanted walls and a leaky roof that allowed rain to seep in during heavy storms. Despite the poor condition of his home, Mat Jenin showed little concern, as he lacked the motivation to work or make any improvements. His days were spent in idle daydreams, earning him a reputation in the community for his lazy habits.

When hunger struck, Mat Jenin would frequent the local restaurant, hoping for a kind soul to offer him a meal. Those who encountered him would often scold him for his lack of ambition and inquire about his latest fantasies. Mat Jenin would eagerly share his wishes, never hesitating to ask for food or other favours. He would spin tales for hours on end, oblivious to the passing of time.

As night fell and the animals returned to their shelters, Mat Jenin would retreat to his dilapidated hut to sleep. Unconcerned by the howling wind or the creaking of his fragile abode, he would simply pull his blanket tighter around himself and drift off into dreams. He believed that if his hut were to collapse, his neighbours would come to his aid and help him build a new home, relieving him of the burden of repairing his current dwelling.

This is the daily routine of Mat Jenin. If he couldn't find someone to cover his meals, he would seek out employment. However, he was selective about the work he took on. Mat Jenin avoided labouring in the scorching heat of the rice fields or enduring seasickness while fishing. Instead, he preferred to climb coconut trees, finding solace in the shade and breeze. Despite his preference for this work, Mat Jenin only accepted payment for coconut climbing when he needed money for shopping.

One unfortunate day, Mat Jenin found himself without anyone to cover his expenses. Desperate for work, he searched for someone in need of his coconut climbing services. To his dismay, he encountered no takers that day, leaving him hungry and aimless in the village. As he pondered his next move, he noticed an elderly woman gazing up at the coconuts.

"Would you like a coconut? I can assist you in retrieving one," Mat Jenin offered. The old woman turned to face him and confirmed her desire for coconuts to cook with. Mat Jenin inquired about compensation for his assistance.

The elderly woman replied, "I have little to offer, but if you gather coconuts for me, you are welcome to share a meal with me. Additionally, I can provide some chicken eggs for you too."

"What shall I do with this chicken egg?" pondered Mat Jenin. The old woman replied, "If you incubate the egg, it will hatch and you can keep the chicken." Mat Jenin contemplated the idea of raising the chicken to sell once it hatched.

"I am willing to climb the coconut tree for you," Mat Jenin offered. As he began his ascent, he reflected on the old woman's words and felt a sense of joy in his heart. The thought of hatching the eggs, raising the chickens, and eventually consuming them crossed his mind.

As he climbed higher, Mat Jenin considered the potential benefits of allowing the chickens to lay eggs and multiplying his flock. However, he realized that managing a large number of chickens would be challenging. He decided that exchanging some of the chickens for goats would be a more practical solution. This way, he could have goats roam around his hut to forage for food, alleviating the burden of caring for the chickens.

After contemplating his thoughts, he turned to the elderly woman and asked, "If I were to sell the chickens, could I acquire a goat?" The elderly woman, amused by Mat Jenins' words, replied, "Indeed, child." Mat Jenin ascended higher and higher, envisioning a future where he could trade his goats for cows, as cows are more substantial and yield more meat. With this wealth, he believed he would gain respect and admiration from others.

As he gazed down at the elderly woman, he shouted, "Would it be more advantageous to exchange the goat for a cow?" The elderly woman, still smiling with her toothless grin, affirmed, "Yes, indeed." Mat Jenin, now far above the coconut tree, remained unaware of the elderly woman's amusement.

His dreams continued to expand as he imagined amassing a herd of cows and hiring individuals to care for them, allowing him to accumulate more wealth without exerting himself. He fantasised about eventually transitioning to buffalo farming, which would further increase his riches. Once again, he called down to the elderly woman, proposing the idea of trading cows for buffaloes to enhance his wealth. The elderly woman, with a knowing smile, reassured him, "Yes, that is correct. With wealth, you can get married and later establish a family."

Mat Jenin nodded confidently as he continued to climb higher and higher, leaving the old woman below. He envisioned a future where his current poverty would be a thing of the past, and women who once ignored him would now be vying for his attention once he became wealthy. However, he made it clear that he would not be easily swayed by just any woman. He had his sights set on someone special - the king's princess.

"I will marry the king's princess!" He proclaimed loudly, but the old woman could not hear it as he was up high. Mat Jenin allowed himself to dream of a future filled with children and a wife who desired gold jewellery, but he made it clear that he would not give in to such materialistic demands. In a moment of whimsy, he even pretended to slap a coconut frond, warning his imaginary wife not to ask for jewellery.

However, his daydreaming led to a tragic end. Startled by a squirrel, Mat Jenin lost his grip on the tree and fell to his death. The old woman, witnessing the fall, rushed to his aid but it was too late. And so, the tale of Mat Jenin, a man consumed by his own fantasies, came to a tragic close. It serves as a cautionary reminder of the dangers of losing touch with reality.