In a village in Bali there once lived a silly happy boy called Belog. “Belog” means “Blockhead” in Balinese, and Belog was well known around his village because of the foolish things he was always doing. The people of the village never grew tired of telling each other stories about Belog’s simple-minded behavior.
One day Belog’s mother accidentally dropped her last box of matches into a puddle of water. The matches got wet and would not light. She needed immediately matches to light her stove, so she called out to her son and said. “Belog, please go to the shop and buy some matches. The matches that I have are wet, and I cannot light the fire to cook our meal.”
She gave Belog some money and then added, “Do make sure that the matches you buy are dry and can light easily!”
So Belog took the coins for the matches from his mother, and happily walked to the village shop. He walked inside and asked the owner for a box of matches. Then Belog carefully counted his coins and paid for the box and began to walk home.
No sooner was he outside the shop, then a thought struck Belog. He opened the box and looked inside.
“They look like good matches to me.” he thought. “But how can I be certain? I’d better try one.”
Belog took out one of the matches and lighted it. It caught fire easily.
“Ah, that match is all right,” he said. “But how about the others?” so Belog took out all the matches one by one and lighted them to see that they were good.
“This is a good box of matches. “Belog said to himself. Then he returned home.
“Here mother,” said Belog with an honest and foolish smile on his face. “I bought a good box of matches. They all work. I tested all of them!” then Belog handed his mother the box of used, burnt matches.
His poor mother, what could she say? After all, Belog was her only child, and she loved him dearly.
