Maria Rosa Sulaeman

TIMOR'S EAST & WEST, TIMOR'S LIGHT & DARK

THE LEGEND OF LAFAEK DIAK

Once upon a time there lived a small crocodile in a swamp. The little crocodile had dreams of becoming one of the biggest and strongest crocodiles to ever live. However, as time passed, the land became dry and food became scarce. The little crocodile became weaker and weaker. In desperation, the crocodile ventured out into the ocean in search of food, but was unsuccessful. 

Eventually, he came back to land, laid down, and waited for death to come. However, instead of death, a small boy came to his rescue. The boy fed and nurtured the crocodile back to health. In return, the crocodile promises the boy a lifetime of rides across oceans as gratitude.

“I want to see the world, it is my dream” the boy expresses. 

For years the crocodile carries the boy across the seas, traveling wherever the boy wishes. Until one day, the crocodile becomes too old and knows its time has come. 

“I will die,” the crocodile says to the boy. 

“but my body will become an island where your descendants can live forever.”

Within minutes his body became land, and the ridges on his back stretched into high mountains. 

The crocodile turned into what we now know as the island of Timor-Leste (East Timor).