Even the heavenly population seems to be jealous of her beauty. No wonder she has been chosen as the Legong Kebyar dancer by the community, along with fellow teenage villager Dewi, as her partner.

Also it is believed that Jempiring is endowed with divine power that makes her different to any other dancer of her time. Yet, in real life she is timid, humble, polite and easy to talk to. If any vanity lurks in her heart she keeps it all to herself.

Once her mother said: “Jempiring, like a beautiful flower, you will naturally attract bumble bees from the neighborhood and afar; so, you’d better be careful in dealing with all those demanding visitors.”

*****
Jempiring’s daily work is to help her aging mother take care of the family shop, serving snacks, drinks, cigarettes and daily necessities. Often she has to avail herself to chat with young people who visit her shop with the sole purpose of trying to win her heart.

One quiet day when no customers are expected to visit the shop for an hour or so, Jempiring sees her mother in the living room.

She says: “Mother, I realize that dancing is certainly not my lifetime job and it will never be. My fame will fade away in the course of time. What will become of me then?

It’s right for me to think seriously about my future well-being rather than let myself get lost in the vanity and euphoria of being admired by the general public.”

“Well, you’re absolutely right, Jempiring,” agrees her mother. “Oh, if only your father were still alive, we both were very proud of you, and … ”

Before her mother finishes what she has to say, Jempiring quickly intervenes: “But, I’m afraid, father only fed my stomach, while he did not feed my brains.” Jempiring is blaming her father for having failed to send her to school.

“I know!”, her mother says in a sad tone. “But your father was a good and exact replica of your grandfather who was an arduous and laborious farmer. His concerns were how to produce good harvests and feed the family properly.”

*****
An arts festival is going on in town and Jempiring is sure to play her part one evening. Her mother reminds her: “It’s almost dusk!”, don’t forget to say your prayers, Jempiring.”

Having prayed at the family temple, she descends the stairs and trips, falling to the ground. She feels pain on her knee, but manages to walk normally as if nothing has happened.

The schedule for that evening’s show starts with introductory music, followed by the appearance of the two attractive dancers. Jempiring and Dewi make a perfect duet — erotic, romantic and enthralling — with Jempiring’s sex appeal particularly outstanding.

The dancers approach the end of the first leg of the performance, when all of a sudden, to everybody’s shock,

Jempiring collapses, groaning with pain while holding her knee, which has swelled a great deal.

Jempiring’s mother and two attendants rush to her rescue and quickly take her from the stage. “I’m very sorry to disappoint you all, but my pain is so unbearable … uuuhhh. Mother, forgive me!
What have I done to suffer this mishap?” Jempiring murmurs, tears running down on her cheeks.

“No, Jempiring, we deeply sympathize with you,” her mother says to soothe her.

*****
The accident forces her to quit dancing for the rest of her life, much to the regret and disappointment of her family and fellow villagers as well as her fans.

She now concentrates on taking good care of her shop, day in, day out attending to customers. An ex-dancer with divine beauty, Jempiring has more and more customers to deal with, especially from the younger age group.

They range from civil servants, security people and banking executives to businesspeople.

One day Jempiring finds herself involved in intimate talk with an elementary school teacher she has known for quite some time.

Nengah Madiana often visits her shop after school hours.

“I think I’ve been dealing with schoolchildren long enough so it’s time for me now to get along with a dancer who has earned widespread fame and attracted a great many fans, young and old alike,” says Madiana straightforwardly.

“Please, be honest with me, because I want you to be my wife, and I’m fully prepared, body and soul, for that purpose.

At this remark Jempiring does not react and maintains complete silence.

“You know, Jempiring,” Madiana continues, trying to draw her attention, “At this very moment I feel as if I’m facing the lion in its den.”

Still Jempiring gives no reply. Not even a smile. Madiana feels confused, he thinks he’s involved in a “mission impossible.”

*****
Nengah Madiana has an exceptionally dark complexion, straight hair and is far cry from handsome. However, he is friendly and easygoing, as well as good tempered. From the moment of his latest meeting with Jempiring he often has Jempiring’s picture reflected in his dreams.

Jempiring, on the other hand, is musing about the merits of entering married life instead of letting herself being overwhelmed by a state of uncertainty.

The problem is whom to marry, and what type of man. A year or so has passed since she stopped dancing following her leg accident.

To the great amazement and shock of everybody in the community, news is spreading that Jempiring has married Nengah Madiana.

“Incredible, and indeed most laughable; how on earth has Jempiring married raven-black Madiana. The heavens must have been shaking in protest to witness this senseless marriage,” comments someone in the community.

“She could have chosen a much, much more impressive man as her husband.”

*****
As for Jempiring, her decision to marry Madiana is psychologically and emotionally correct. Madiana, being a teacher, at least to Jempiring’s heart, may be just the right “remedy” for her empty head.

“When it comes to dancing, I’m somebody, but outside the theater, I’m nobody,” Jempiring always says on many occasions.

“Come what may, my beauty remains mine, and nobody else’s, and it certainly does not belong to my husband!