Indonesian+Language+Component

The Gift of the Crocodile by Judy Sierra
"In the Spice Islands, where clove and nutmeg trees grow, a girl named Damura lived long ago." Damura is a beautiful girl, as kind and lovely as the little green parrot that perches on the nutmeg tree. But Damura's stepmother and stepsister mistreat her. They force her to rise before dawn, carry out all the chores, and sleep on the floor. One day, while down by the river, Damura calls out to the creatures of the wild for help. Rising from the waters, an ancient crocodile answers the call. This unusual fairy godmother, aptly named Grandmother Crocodile, outfits Damura in a sarong of gold, with slippers to match, and sends her to the palace to dance for the prince. Once he sees her, the prince knows that she will be his bride. But the fairy tale isn't quite over. Damura's wicked stepmother and stepsister are so jealous that they push Damura into the river, where she is swallowed by a crocodile. Too bad they didn't know about Grandmother Crocodile.... "The Gift of the Crocodile, " a tale from the Spice Islands in Indonesia, offers a colorful and dramatic twist on the universally adored Cinderella story.

THIS BOOK IS ON ORDER TO ARRIVE THIS WEEK.

THE GIFT OF THE CROCODILE BY JUDY SIERRA Vocabulary Clove .......................... An aromatic spice that comes from trees native to Indonesia Nutmeg....................... An aromatic spice that comes from trees native to Indonesia Lorikeet...................... A small parrot native to Australia Green parrot ............... A bright green tropical bird Sarong ........................ A skirt made of bright-colored cloth wrapped around the waist worn by men and women in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Pacific Islands Blouse ........................ A loose-fitting shirt. Shabby ....................... Worn out, plain Thrashed..................... To beat in a swinging motion The sarong plays an important role in the story. The women in the story are shown wearing sarongs, and the main character, Damura, receives a special sarong from her magical helper. Show students how a sarong can be worn using a large piece of brightly colored fabric or a sheet or tablecloth. Explain that women and men can wear sarongs. Because of the tropical climate of the Spice Islands, a sarong and a kebaya (a traditional blouse) are ideal clothing. They are light and loose fitting to help keep the wearer cool. You can also bring clove and nutmeg for students to taste and smell. Both of these spices are native to Indonesia.
 * Cultural Focal Points Within the Story**