The story begins when Prince Kusumayuda met Klenting Kuning, the youngest among 4 sisters, daughters of a widow who lived in a village of Banyuarum Kingdom where Prince Kusumayuda’s father ruled. Secretly Prince Kusumayuda and Klenting Kuning liked each other. From the bottom of his heart, Prince Kusumayuda knew that this beautiful girl was his future bride, the perfect queen for Banyuarum Kingdom. Unfortunately, they never met afterwards.

Long time ago there was a man who had two wives, and each wife had their own daughter. The daughters were Bawang Merah or onion and Bawang Putih or garlic. The father died attacked by a tiger when he hunted for a deer. Not long after his death, Bawang Putih’s mother also passed away due to sickness. Bawang Merah and her mother took over the charge of the household. However they treated Bawang Putih badly as their house maid servant.

One day when Bawang Putih went to the river nearby the house to wash the cloths she found a pond with a live fish inside. She became startled when suddenly the fish spoke to her like human.

“Don’t be afraid my dear,” said the fish tenderly, “I’m your mother. I’m here to accompany you and make you comfort.”