Learning Materials: Narrative Text

A. Imtaq (Iman dan Taqwa)

Qur'an Verse:

 "We relate to you, [O Muhammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to
you of this Qur'an although you were, before it, among the unaware." (Qur'an, Yusuf
12:3)

Story: One of the most well-known narratives in the Qur'an is the story of Prophet Yusuf
(Joseph). This story not only provides a rich narrative structure but also imparts moral and
spiritual lessons. Prophet Yusuf faced numerous trials, including being betrayed by his
brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned. Despite these hardships, he
remained patient and faithful to Allah. His story ends with forgiveness and reconciliation,
showing the power of patience, faith, and forgiveness.

B. Keywords

 Narrative
 Plot
 Characters
 Setting
 Conflict
 Resolution
 Theme
 Dialogue

C. Trigger Question

 Can you recall a story that had a significant impact on you? What elements made it
memorable?

D. Mind Map of Narrative Text

E. Definition of Narrative Text

A narrative text is a type of writing that tells a story. It can be fictional or based on real
events and includes characters, a setting, a plot, and a clear sequence of events that lead to a
resolution.

F. Purpose of Narrative Text

The purpose of a narrative text is to entertain, inform, or convey a moral lesson to the reader.
It engages the reader by presenting a story that is interesting, imaginative, or thought-
provoking.

G. Generic Structures of Narrative Text

1. Orientation:
o Introduces the characters, setting, and time of the story.
2. Complication:
o Presents a problem or conflict that the characters must face.
3. Resolution:
o Shows how the problem or conflict is resolved.
4. Reorientation (optional):
o Provides a moral or lesson learned from the story.

H. Language Features of Narrative Text

 Past Tense: Most narratives are written in the past tense.

 Action Verbs: Use of verbs that describe actions.
 Descriptive Language: Detailed descriptions of characters, settings, and events.
 Dialogue: Conversations between characters to advance the plot.
 Connectives: Words that link events and indicate the sequence of actions (e.g., then,
after, meanwhile).

I. Example of Narrative Text

Title: The Wise Farmer

Orientation: Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a wise old farmer named
Ahmed. He had three sons, who were always quarreling with each other.

Complication: One day, Ahmed fell seriously ill. He realized that his time was running out
and worried about his sons' constant fighting. He decided to teach them a lesson.

Resolution: Ahmed called his sons and asked them to bring a bundle of sticks. He then asked
each son to break the bundle. Despite their best efforts, none could break it. Ahmed then
untied the bundle and handed each son a single stick. They easily broke the individual sticks.
Ahmed explained, "If you stay united like the bundle, no one can break you. But if you are
divided, you will be as weak as the single sticks."

Reorientation (optional): The sons understood the lesson and promised to work together and
support each other. From that day on, they lived in harmony, just as their father had wished.
 The story of Bujang Beji and Bukit Kelam

Once upon a time, lived two men named Bujang Beji and Tumenggung Marubai, who were
different from each other in character. Tumenggung Marubai was a humble, kind-hearted person.
Bujang Beji was his opposite. He was greedy and arrogant. They made a living as fishermen, each
having his own favorite spot for fishing. Tumenggung Marubai sourced his fish Rimpang Melawi River,
where fish could be found in abundance. As for Bujang Beji, he always fished in Simpang Kapuas
River, where there was less fish. Therefore, it was no wonder that Tumenggung Marubai always
brought home more fish than did Bujang Beji.

Tumenggung Marubai used a big trap called bubu to catch fish. After his bubu was filled with
fish, he chose only the bigger ones and released the smaller ones back to the river. Thanks to his
fishing wisdom, there were always plenty of fish in the river.

Realizing that he had never caught as many fish as Tumenggung Marubai did, Bujang Beji felt
so envious that he thought of a way to beat him. An evil thought crossed his mind. He decided to
catch fish using tuba, a fish poison extracted from derris root. He found it works. Fish were easily
caught, more and more fish everyday. But there was a greater problem that he did not realize, it was
that the fish were greatly reduced.

On the other hand, Tumenggung Marubai still got a lot of catches. This made Bujang Beji
even more jealous. “What?” Bujang Beji yelled “No one is better than me!” He must have the best of
everything - everyone knows that. What could be better? Bujang Beji was successful in catching
many fish, but seeing what Tumenggung Marubay got, Bujang Beji was bothered. So Bujang Beji
decided to get rid of Tumenggung Marubai’s luck, once and for all. Then, Bujang Beji began to think
and he found the way he thought was the best. The very finest idea crossed his mind, “I have to
cover the flow of the Melawi River with a large rock upstream, so the fish will settle there,” thought
Bujang Beji. He planned to use a large stone from the hills of Nanga Silat. Then, he departed for the
hills. He brought the rock in his hand. Then all of a sudden, far away, he heard the sound of girls
laughing at him. His attention was distracted, Bujang Beji accidentally stepped on a thorn, reflexively
he dropped the stone that he was holding. Bujang Beji was caught in anger. Bujang Beji found that it
was the khayangan goddesses who laughed at him. “You will pay for this!” he shouted as he stamped
his foot pierced by a poisonous thorn on one of the nearby hills. Bujang Beji’s failed to close the
Melawi River. All because of the goddesses of heaven. “I will take revenge.” Said Bujang Beji.

Bujang Beji planned to reach the land of heaven by using the kumpang mambu tree, which is
a kind of giant wooden tree whose end rises to the sky. He started planting the scented tree. In just a
few days the tree had grown so high that the top was invisible to the naked eye. Right before
climbing the Kumpang Bambu, he did a superstition ritual in order to get protection from the holy
spirits of the land and animal spirits. However, there were two animals that Bujang Beji forgot to
offer, they were a group of termites and bears. It made them angry. They also negotiated to thwart
Bujang Beji. “Let’s just gnaw the bamboo tree until it’s broken!” proposed the bear. The Termite
agreed. Then they started to do it. At that time, Bujang Beji had almost reached the land of heaven,
he fell into the ground and died instantly. Thus, Bujang Beji’s attempt to harm the goddesses of
heaven also failed. Tumenggung Marubai was spared from Bujang Beji’s evil intentions.

Nowadays, the peak of Nanga Silat Hill is well known as Bukit Kelam. It has become one of
the tourist attractions in Sintang, West Kalimantan, and has become a tourist forest area with very
beautiful scenery.
 (Adapted from [Link] as
cited in Buku Bahasa Inggris: Train of Thoughts untuk SMA/MA Kelas XII Tingkat Lanjut)

TRUE FALSE

Tumenggung Marubai and Bujang Beji had similar personalities.

 False

Tumenggung Marubai caught fish using a poison extracted from derris root.

 False

Bujang Beji was jealous of Tumenggung Marubai’s successful fishing.

 True

Bujang Beji tried to use a large rock to block the flow of the Melawi River.

 True

Bujang Beji's plan to block the river was foiled by the laughter of the goddesses.

 True

Tumenggung Marubai released smaller fish back into the river to maintain fish populations.

 True

Bujang Beji successfully reached the land of heaven by climbing the Kumpang Mambu tree.

 False

Bujang Beji forgot to make offerings to termites and bears, leading to his downfall.

 True

The story suggests that Tumenggung Marubai was eventually harmed by Bujang Beji.

 False

Bukit Kelam is now a well-known tourist attraction in Sintang, West Kalimantan.

 True
 How are the characters of Bujang Beji and Tumenggung Marubai different in terms of
personality?

 Tumenggung Marubai is humble and kind-hearted, while Bujang Beji is greedy and
arrogant.

 Where did Tumenggung Marubai and Bujang Beji usually fish?

 Tumenggung Marubai fished in the Rimpang Melawi River, and Bujang Beji fished in
the Simpang Kapuas River.

 What fishing method did Tumenggung Marubai use to ensure a sustainable fish
population?

 Tumenggung Marubai used a big trap called bubu and released the smaller fish back
into the river.

 What unethical method did Bujang Beji use to catch more fish?

 Bujang Beji used tuba, a fish poison extracted from derris root.

 Why did Bujang Beji decide to block the Melawi River?

 Bujang Beji wanted to block the Melawi River to prevent Tumenggung Marubai from
catching fish and to make the fish settle upstream for himself.

 What distracted Bujang Beji while he was carrying the rock to block the river?

 Bujang Beji was distracted by the sound of girls laughing at him.

 What was the result of Bujang Beji's attempt to block the river?

 Bujang Beji accidentally dropped the rock and failed to block the river.

 What tree did Bujang Beji use in his attempt to reach the land of heaven?

 Bujang Beji used the kumpang mambu tree.

 Which animals did Bujang Beji forget to offer in his superstition ritual, leading to his
downfall?

 Bujang Beji forgot to offer to the termites and bears.

 What is Bukit Kelam known for today?

 Bukit Kelam is known as a tourist attraction in Sintang, West Kalimantan, with very
beautiful scenery.