Maggots

The translation of Gus tf Sakai’s Indonesian short story “Belatung” by Tjahaja.

Photo by Nathan Cima on Unsplash

Maggots are like caterpillars, right, Mom? Yes, like caterpillars. Can they also turn into butterflies? No, maggots can’t turn into butterflies. Why can’t they, Mom? I don’t know; Mom doesn’t know. Poor them, Mom? I want to see them become butterflies. But we can’t. But I want to.

We can’t. I want to.

“It can’t be…,” and Warni saw hundreds of maggots, thousands of maggots, slithering towards them. Slithering? No, those disgusting little wet creatures looked more like they were floating (or flying?) in an orderly, shawl-like line. As the shawl moved with a jerk, the maggots scattered with a splash of slime. And Warni was stuttering. Her hands were busy: cleaning off the slime, perhaps maggots, that clung to her face and body.

I want to.

“No!” and Warni gasped. Awake. She opened her eyes, confused. There were no maggots. There was no splash of slime. She turned her head to the side and found the little figure, Suci, her daughter, curled up soundly with one hand tucked into her armpit. Warni exhaled, relieved. However, those Suci’s words, I want to, I want to, were still echoing…

“Butterflies are beautiful, Mom?”