Narrative Text Exercises

The Legend of Lake Toba

Story Generic Structure

In the highlands of North Sumatra, there is a beautiful lake known as
Lake Toba, surrounded by green hills and serene waters. According to
legend, this lake was once the home of an ordinary man named Toba, who
lived a quiet life as a farmer.
One day, while fishing in the river, Toba caught an extraordinary fish
with shimmering golden scales. To his amazement, the fish spoke and
begged him to spare its life. Moved by its plea, Toba released the fish, and
in an instant, the fish transformed into a beautiful woman. She told Toba
that she was a celestial being cursed to live as a fish. In gratitude for her
freedom, she offered to marry him, but on one condition—Toba must never
reveal her true origins to anyone.
Toba agreed, and the two lived happily together. They had a son
named Samosir, who grew up strong but mischievous. Samosir was often
stubborn and caused trouble in the village, especially when it came to
helping with his father’s work in the fields. One day, after a particularly
frustrating incident, Toba lost his temper and yelled at his son, calling him
the “son of a fish.”
Upon hearing this, Samosir ran to his mother in tears. The moment
she heard what Toba had said, her heart sank. The secret had been broken.
She told Samosir to run to the hills before disappearing into the river.
Soon after, the skies darkened, and a great flood swept over the land,
filling the valley with water.
The flood created what is now known as Lake Toba, and in the
center of the lake lies Samosir Island, where Samosir was saved from the
waters.

1. What did Toba catch while fishing in the river?

A. A golden fish
B. A magical pearl
C. A water serpent
D. A giant crab
E. A dragon

2. Why did the fish ask Toba to spare its life?

A. It wanted to grant him a wish in return.
B. It was a cursed celestial being seeking freedom.
C. It promised to give him wealth.
D. It was afraid of being cooked.
E. It was a guardian spirit of the river.

3. If Toba had kept the fish's secret, how might the story have ended differently?
A. Samosir would have grown up without causing trouble.
B. Toba’s family would have continued living peacefully by the lake.
C. The village would have still been destroyed by the flood.
D. Samosir would have eventually revealed the secret himself.
E. Toba would have turned into a fish instead.

4. What was the cause of the great flood that created Lake Toba?
A. Toba’s anger toward his son
B. The gods' punishment for breaking a sacred vow
C. The revelation of the fish’s true identity
D. Samosir's refusal to help in the fields
E. A curse from the villagers

5. Was Toba right to call his son “the son of a fish”?

A. Yes, because Samosir was disrespectful.
B. No, because it revealed the secret and led to the disaster.
C. Yes, because it was the truth, and Samosir deserved to know.

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D. No, because Samosir’s mother was a celestial being, not just a fish.
E. Yes, because it stopped Samosir’s mischievous behavior.

6. If Samosir had known the truth about his mother earlier, how could he have prevented the
flood?
A. He could have told his father to keep the secret.
B. He could have run away before Toba revealed the truth.
C. He could have helped in the fields to avoid angering his father.
D. He could have convinced his mother to stay with the family.
E. He could have prayed to the gods for mercy.

7. What is the primary theme of the legend of Lake Toba?

A. The importance of hard work and perseverance
B. The consequences of breaking promises and secrets
C. The power of love and transformation
D. The significance of family bonds and loyalty
E. The beauty of nature and its landscapes

8. What lesson can be learned from Toba's decision to reveal the truth about his wife?
A. Always speak the truth, no matter the consequences
B. Keeping secrets is essential for maintaining harmony
C. Anger can lead to irreversible consequences
D. Loyalty to family should come before everything else
E. All actions have consequences, whether good or bad

The Legend of Sawerigading

Story Generic
Structure
In the ancient kingdom of Luwu, located in present-day South Sulawesi,
there lived a prince named Sawerigading, one of the greatest heroes in the Bugis
epic La Galigo. He was the son of King Latu Sanapati and Queen We Tenriabeng,
destined for greatness. His story is one of love, adventure, and tragedy, shaping
the legends of Sulawesi for generations.
Sawerigading was born a twin, alongside his sister, We Tenriabeng. As they
grew up, Sawerigading became deeply fond of his sister, unaware of their familial
bond. However, when he expressed his desire to marry her, their parents
intervened, revealing the truth—that she was his sister and such a union was
forbidden.
Heartbroken and angry, Sawerigading left the kingdom, vowing never to
return. He sailed across the seas, seeking solace in distant lands. After many years
of travel, he heard of a beautiful princess named We Cudai, who lived in the
Kingdom of China. We Cudai was said to resemble his sister, and Sawerigading,
still longing for the love he couldn’t have, decided to win her hand.
The journey to China was perilous. Sawerigading and his crew faced
treacherous seas, deadly storms, and fierce battles with enemies. However,
Sawerigading’s strength and courage were unmatched. He finally reached China,
where he met We Cudai, and after a series of trials, the two fell in love.
Sawerigading married her, and together, they had a son named I La Galigo, who
would later become a legendary figure in Bugis mythology.
After years of living in China, Sawerigading’s thoughts turned back to his
homeland of Luwu. He decided to return, bringing with him his family and
treasures from distant lands. However, the sea, still angry at him for his defiance
of fate, caused a great storm as he neared Sulawesi. His ship, Welenreng, was
struck by the waves and sank. Sawerigading, believing it to be his fate, jumped
into the sea and was never seen again.
We Cudai and their son, I La Galigo, survived the wreck and returned to
Luwu, where I La Galigo grew into a wise and powerful ruler, continuing his
father’s legacy.
To this day, the legend of Sawerigading is cherished in Sulawesi. His story
of love, loss, and adventure is immortalized in the La Galigo epic, one of the
longest literary works in the world, preserving the Bugis people’s ancient culture
and values.

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1. What did Toba catch while fishing in the river?
A. A golden fish
B. A magical pearl
C. A water serpent
D. A giant crab
E. A dragon

2. Why did Sawerigading leave the kingdom of Luwu initially?

A. He wanted to explore new lands.
B. He was seeking revenge for his father’s death.
C. He was heartbroken after discovering he couldn’t marry his sister.
D. He needed to prove his strength to the villagers.
E. He wanted to find riches and treasures

3. Based on the legend, which of the following best describes Sawerigading’s method of
overcoming obstacles during his journey to China?
A. He relied solely on his physical strength to defeat enemies.
B. He used his wisdom to avoid dangerous confrontations.
C. He made alliances with other kingdoms to gain support.
D. He combined both his bravery and mystical powers to overcome challenges.
E. He followed the advice of his father to ensure victory.

4. Why did Sawerigading’s ship sink as he neared Sulawesi after returning from China?
A. The ship was attacked by enemies.
B. The gods punished him for trying to defy fate.
C. A fierce storm appeared out of nowhere.
D. His ship was made from weak materials.
E. He angered the rulers of China, who sought revenge.

5. Was Sawerigading’s decision to return to Luwu after marrying We Cudai wise?

A. Yes, because he wanted to share his newfound wealth with his people.
B. No, because he risked angering the sea gods who had already cursed him.
C. Yes, because he longed to reconnect with his homeland and family.
D. No, because his love for We Cudai was more important than returning to Luwu.
E. Yes, because he believed his destiny was to rule both China and Luwu.

6. If Sawerigading had never left Luwu after discovering We Tenriabeng was his sister, how
might the story have changed?
A. He would have stayed in the kingdom and ruled peacefully without experiencing any
adventures.
B. He would have likely married another princess and avoided the journey to China
altogether.
C. The legend would have focused more on his relationship with his father instead of his
travels.
D. He would still have embarked on a different quest to prove his strength.
E. The gods might have sent him on a different path, leading to another significant
adventure.

7. What moral lesson can be derived from Sawerigading's journey and experiences?
A. Pursuing personal happiness can lead to unforeseen consequences.
B. Loyalty to one’s homeland is more important than love.
C. Seeking adventure can bring fortune and fame.
D. Love conquers all challenges, including familial ties.
E. Courage and strength are enough to overcome any obstacle.

8. What is the purpose of immortalizing Sawerigading’s story in the La Galigo epic?

A. To entertain future generations with tales of adventure
B. To preserve the cultural heritage and values of the Bugis people
C. To promote the idea of love and loss
D. To highlight the importance of royal lineage
E. To inspire future heroes to follow in his footsteps