Indonesia
Intan’s New Suits for Lebaran
Tomorrow is here. When the echo of takbir sounded continuously across the town, Intan runs full with excitement to the field, as if she is racing the sound of takbir. And Intan’s new dress are tangled on a mango branch, tears it apart. The sound of the wood rips the dress very slowly, but Intan’s cry races the sound of takbir.
“Ma… Intan wants another new dress.” “Psst, there’s no time now.”
After Shalat Id, Intan persistently begging for new dress and she also pushes granny to sew a new one.
“Intan, why don’t you just put on your dress from last year. They are still perfectly fine,” Granny suggests her. “But granny…all of my friends must have new dress for lebaran.” “Intan, wipe your tears. Guests are coming. You still have many good looking dress,” her dad also commenting.
Mom came and have her change the lebaran dress, Intan is still gloomy.
“Mom, let’s buy new dress now.” No time for that. Stores are closed today. Beside Granny is busy with the guests.” “But this is Lebaran, Mom…, everyone wears new dress.”
“Does lebaran only mean new dresses? You are still lucky to have decent dress on Lebaran and get together with Mom, Dad, Grandpa and Grandma, have ketupat and lebaran cookies. There are people who spend Lebaran alone, without even proper meal and clothing.”
“Then how come many people buy new dress for Lebaran? Including you, Mom?”
“Because Lebaran is a special day, it’s our victory day after a month of fasting. We cherish the day by wearing our best clothes, but only if we can afford to, it’s not like we have to. If we can’t afford new ones, clean old ones will be just fine.”
“But what about the homeless people who don’t even have clean clothes?
“Intan, God is all knowing…if we really are short on something, God knows that.
What’s most important is our deed. Now give me a hand will you? Guests are still coming. I will give you a dress for Lebaran later, how about that?
“Cool.” Instantly, Intan gets pumped up to help Mom with the cookies and Lebaran meals for the guests. When the sun sets and no more guests coming, Intan and mom are busy cleaning up the old clothes for those who need them.
Happy 1435 H Ied ul Fitr Superkids!
NURUL L. IRFAN
FOTO: THINKSTOCKS PHOTOS
