The First Rupiah

Teaching is basically my life now (well, along with that giving service and sales and marketing stuff). But who would have guessed that the first dime I made was not from teaching? It's not even after I finished my teaching course.

It happened almost thirty years ago in Pujokusuman where I used to live in. I had this friend who took me to her friend's house.After chatting and playing for a while, this new friend of mine asked whether we'd want to have some extra money. An offer like that? Of course! For a child who knew almost nothing about the value of money like me, curiosity was more dominant.

So, this friend took a straw broom and a small bucket. Not long after, the three of us were on our way. To the cemetery. ;)

She started to look for 'targets' and she found a lady starting to kneel in front of a grave. My new friend gave us the sign to follow her.

She asked to the lady, "May we help you clean the grave,lady?"
"Yes,please."
My friend then gave me the broom while she fled with the bucket to get some water. When she returned and I finished cleaning the grave, she started to sprinkle the water and told us, "This is for the person inside the grave. So he doesn't feel the heat."
I nodded naively. :)

The lady began taking some equipment from her black plastic bag. It's a traditional stove. She also took out a black, glossy, stone-like item. In Java, we call it 'kemenyan'. She quickly put the stone on the stove and lit fire to it. Smoke began to fill the air, I began to smell a specific aroma. She then positioned her chin to her chest, chanting her prayers.

When she's all done, she put out the fire by sprinkling some water. My friend then asked,"Who's grave is it, lady?" "Oh, this is my husband's," she answered. I could almost see her sad look.

After cleaning all the remains of the 'kemenyan' and its ashes, the lady stood up and her hand reached into her purse. She gave us 50 rupiah. It's for our 'service' to help her clean the grave.

My friend split the money in three. I got 15 rupiah.

And THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is the first rupiah I gained. :D