Example of Sumpah Pemuda Short Story and Its Value, Could Be an Interesting and Beneficial Reading

Kapanlagi.com - Short stories or short fiction stories are a type of reading that is quite popular among many people. Like novels, short stories are also very diverse. We can even find short stories that use historical events such as Sumpah Pemuda as the background of the story. Although it has a historical theme, the short story about Sumpah Pemuda can still be an interesting and exciting reading.

Short stories about Sumpah Pemuda are not only entertaining. These short stories also contain messages of nationalism that can make readers feel more proud and love their country. Reading a short story about Sumpah Pemuda could be one of the most suitable activities to do in welcoming the Sumpah Pemuda day in October.

However, there's no need to wait until October to read a short story about Sumpah Pemuda. If you're eager to read a short story about Sumpah Pemuda, just check out one of the examples in the following review.

1. Brief Overview of Sumpah Pemuda Event

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The Youth Pledge is one of the important events in Indonesian history. Therefore, it is not surprising that some people use it as inspiration in creating short stories or short novels. Before reading the short story of the Youth Pledge, it doesn't hurt to learn a brief history of the Youth Pledge event.

The Youth Pledge was held at the Second Youth Congress in 1928, initiated by the Indonesian Students Association (PPPI). The Youth Congress was held for two days on October 27-28, 1928 in Batavia.

The first day was held at the Katholieke Jongenlingen Bond (KJB) building, Lapangan Banteng. At the first congress, Muhammad Yamin proposed that history, language, customary law, education, and willpower could be ways to strengthen Indonesian unity.

Then on the second day, Indonesian figures named Poernomowoelan and Sarmidi Mangoensarkoro became speakers. Both of them discussed the importance of national education and democracy for young people. In addition, at the second Youth Congress, the Youth Pledge was formulated, which reads:

First:

We the sons and daughters of Indonesia, acknowledge one motherland, Indonesia.

Second:

We the sons and daughters of Indonesia, acknowledge one nation, the nation of Indonesia.

Third:

We the sons and daughters of Indonesia, uphold the language of unity, Indonesian.

That is the content of the Youth Pledge that needs to be known. The content of the Youth Pledge is also pledged every October 28 as part of the commemoration of Youth Pledge Day.

2. Example of Youth Pledge Short Story

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There are now many short story writers who raise stories with nationalistic themes with historical events as the background. However, nationalistic short stories do not always use the past as the setting when the historical event occurred.

It turns out that there are also nationalistic short stories that touch on historical events but use the present time. Usually, this type of short story is able to show nationalism in real life. Like the short story titled Sumpah Pemuda by Nadyafachiara below.

Sumpah Pemuda

(Author: Nadyahafachiara)

This morning, the sun greeted me with its rays. My skin felt warm as if the light was embracing me. Saving me from the cold morning. I poured out hope to dispel the dark fog.

I saw the red and white flag still waving in front of the house, a remnant of the August 17 event yesterday. This sense of nationalism seems scary with its spirit when looking at the national flag. Red blood and white human bones. Humanity is like the morning light today.

However, people have taken down their red and white flags after the celebration of August 17 yesterday. What is this? What is wrong with it waving every day? Does the flag cover your beautiful house? Why is their sense of nationalism like that? What do they feel if they have a sense of nationalism? I don't know.

Okay, I'm ready to go this morning.

I want to see the juniors who are practicing theater for Youth Pledge Day tomorrow. Are they creating art with a sense of nationalism or are they doing it because of the touch of Youth Pledge Day tomorrow? I don't know, I can't wait to see them practice.

After a 30-minute journey to campus, I finally arrived. Peacefully, I went to the studio where they were practicing.

"Good morning everyone!" I said with enthusiasm.

"Good morning Kak Agung!" They replied with a morning smile that was still ripe.

"Good, they are enthusiastic like me," I thought to myself.

Suddenly a piece of paper flew towards me, falling in front of my feet.
A piece of paper with text containing the Youth Pledge. A boy ran towards me trying to grab the letter that I had already held.

"Sorry Kak, that's my paper hehehe," he said.

"Did you just memorize it?"

"Yes, Kak, for the ceremony that will be held in the framework of Youth Pledge later."

"Do you just memorize it but not practice it?"

"Now that Indonesia is independent, Kak, so we don't need to worry about following the steps of the youth of the past."

"Maybe follow, but young people now glorify other countries. A small example, have you ever seen the profile account of a friend or acquaintance who is actually a pure Indonesian but changes the flag on their account to a foreign flag. Surely you have, right? What do you think is the reason they do that?"

The boy just shook his head.

"Because they think foreign flags are cooler. Or maybe ashamed to use the Indonesian flag. From there it is already clear that they are not nationalistic and do not respect their own country," I added.

The boy then nodded.

"Remember, there is no such thing as freedom. You will always be enslaved by your own race and yourself. In the past we were colonized by other countries in the name of colonialism, after independence we can still be enslaved. Enslaving ourselves for the obsession and desires disguised as lust for existence that lead us astray. What you don't realize is that you are not nurturing nationalism and forgetting your fragile part?" I added again.

"I'm willing, Kak. I will love my homeland and become a high-character youth. I will invite other friends to appreciate this Youth Pledge."

The next day, on October 28, the youth read the Youth Pledge with a sense of nationalism.

I understand, he read the Youth Pledge with a burning heart.
His sharp gaze indicated that the Youth Pledge he voiced was not just a joke.

Chilling made all the students read the Youth Pledge in unison and loudly.

Imagine if this spirit is applied to all young people in Indonesia. Indonesia will not be defeated by the burning Youth Pledge in the hearts of nationalist youth.

3. The Value of Nationalism in the Short Story of Sumpah Pemuda

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As mentioned earlier, historical short stories, especially Sumpah Pemuda short stories, contain nationalistic values. In the short story, nationalism is the main message or mandate conveyed by the author to the reader.

Through the conversation between Agung and a boy he met, readers can find the meaning of nationalism. Readers can understand how to show pride and love for the homeland from the smallest things.

Not only from Agung's character, we can also understand that the Youth Pledge cannot be understood just by memorizing it textually. We need to understand the deeper meaning of the Youth Pledge in order to practice it in daily life. Because nationalism is not just words or sentences spoken anytime. But, nationalism is a determination within oneself that must always be maintained to exist.

Those are some examples of the Sumpah Pemuda short story along with an explanation of the mandate or nationalistic values contained therein. Hopefully, it can be useful and can add insight.

(kpl/gen/psp)