In the ancient time, lived a little family.

The family consists of father, mother, and a beautiful girl named

Bawang Putih. They are a harmonious and happy family despite his father worked as an ordinary
merchant. One day, the happiness in this family was lost because the mother died. Bawang Putih was
very sad because she was very fond of her mother. Her father was also so sad because he loved his wife
so much.

After Bawang Putih’s mother died, her house was visited frequently by a widow who had a daughter
named Bawang Merah. The widow often came with Bawang Merah to the Bawang Putih’s home by
bringing food, helping to clean the house, and chatting with Bawang Putih’s father. Finally, the father
thinks that he should marry the widow and made the widow as a new mother for Bawang Putih.

He asked for consideration of the proposal to Bawang Putih. After being allowed to get married by
Bawang Putih, then her father immediately carried out the marriage. They become a new family and
lived in a house. At first, the mother and Bawang Merah’s behaved Bawang Putih very well. However, the
good behavior did not to be last long. Soon, the Bawang Merah and her mother began to show their bad
attitude. Bawang Putih was often scolded and given heavy works when the father went to trade. She had
to do a lot of housework while the Bawang Merahs just sit and did not work at all. However, the situation
was never told by her to his father, so the Bawang Putih continued to be treated badly by Bawang
Merah’s and her mother.

One day, his father was sick and passed away. Since then, Bawang Putih was treated worse than before.
Bawang Putih almost never had a break every day. In the morning, she had to get up in order to prepare
breakfast and the water for Bawang Merah and her mother. Later, she also gave eating to the livestock,
washing clothes, and even watering the entire garden. Although she should do so many works, she
always did it happily. She hoped, with such sincerity, her mother would love her sincerely someday.

On the morning, Bawang Putih went to the river to wash the clothes. She was so excited and washed
vigorously. Because of getting too excited, she was not aware that there was a shirt that washed away.
She realized that the shirt had been washed away when the flow carried it far enough. Later, she
pursued but did not get the shirt. She felt hopeless and immediately went home.

The shirt was her mother's favorite. Of course, the mother was angry and told her to look for the shirt
until she could found it. Bawang Putih came back to the river and walked to the west to seek her
mother's favorite shirt. She walked along the river up to tens of kilometers. After that, Bawang Putih
suddenly saw someone who was bathing the buffalo in the river. She asked the man about the clothes
were washed away. Later, she was informed that the shirt drifting and it was not far from where she was
standing. At that moment, Bawang Putih immediately ran down the river to find the shirt.