L

egend has it there once lived a Cinderella named Kartini.

Born in the mid-60s, she lived without gadgets or color TV. Her parents were poor, but worked hard to find a suitable '€œprince'€ who would marry her. They finally found someone who lived far, far away. Lacking an intricate expensive hairstyle, ex-boyfriends or branded '€œartillery'€, Kartini was married.

Kartini'€™s mother reminded her: '€œA woman has two lives '€” one with her parents as a child, and the other after she marries and lives with her husband and in laws'€.

Kartini welcomed her new life with her new family, embracing her husband'€™s parents and two step-sisters. Like Cinderella, Kartini was treated harshly by her step sisters, who were so cruel that even the devil wondered what kind of creatures they were.

 The '€œcruellas'€ envied Kartini'€™s goddess-like beauty and sang a bad tune about her in her mother-in-law'€™s ear. Kartini was left to take care of all the housekeeping duties herself, leaving her no time to socialize.

Bored, Kartini conceived five beautiful girls and became heavier because of the lack of time to exercise.

She realized she couldn'€™t bear her stepsisters'€™ cruelty, and decided to pursue spirituality. Before stepping out of her house in search of the '€œtruth'€, her mother-in-law warned her: '€œKartini, the world out there is even crueler'€.

In her quest for the true path, Kartini learned about different religions. She observed that one religion allowed the intake of meat, but another encouraged vegetarianism.

She went to all the religious institutions, contributing her services equally, organizing events and giving her time freely.

As time went on, she realized she was surrounded by people who were crueler than her step sisters. They mocked her and insinuated her contributions were a path to fame.

Shocked, Kartini realized believers in all the religions had one thing in common: The more knowledge they had, the bigger their ego became. They were very rich in their path of knowledge, and yet heartless, and did not fear the '€œlaw of karma'€.

Disgruntled, Kartini thought of giving up her religion quest, but her friend, Savitri Rup, stopped her. '€œContinue your good work, remember nobody will give you a pat on the shoulder when you are alive. Even the saints are initiated only after they die.'€

Kartini quit religion and opted to take a job as a researcher. She needed information from government institutions. Alas, she realized the government was more subtle, but no less harsh. No cruel words were spoken, but there was no action either. Kartini lost her job.

Bitter, she stood on the balcony at home on night and thought: '€œShould I just pack my bags for good and leave everything behind?'€

Suddenly, her fairy godmother appeared and said: '€œHalt those unpleasant thoughts. Get a hold of yourself.'€

Kartini replied: '€œI entered religion to find my inner peace and to heal my anger, but yet found the cruelest people in my life! I have no means for self-defense!'€

Her fairy waved her wand and a million stars appeared. '€œI am showering you with the elements of the symptoms of menopause! Your temper will be fiery and will empower you to defend yourself for the sake of righteousness!'€ Then the fairy godmother vanished.

And thanks to her menopause, Kartini'€™s step-sisters are now in self-exile. She is now in a calm and peaceful state of mind. Recently, when she was termed a '€œcannibal'€ for eating meat, Kartini roared with laughter. '€œIt is not what goes inside your mouth that matters, but what comes out of it.'€ And so she lived happily ever after.

'€” Aruna Harjani