THE RED AND WHITE FLAGPOLE OF NANG LECIR

The morning sky was draped in prayers. On the eighth floor of Building M, at a prestigious university in the capital, a solemn atmosphere filled the auditorium. In the corner of the room sat an old man—bearded, dressed in worn black clothes, with a black turban. His expression was calm, but his eyes were moist with tears. He was Nang Lecir, a teacher of life from the foothills of Mount Penanggungan.

He was unknown in academic circles, held no degrees behind his name. But in his aging chest lived a burning spirit of struggle and a love for his homeland that never faded. His ideological children—young people he had nurtured with knowledge, manners, and example—were now stepping onto the highest rungs of education.

In front of him, one of his foster students stood at the podium, presenting a doctoral dissertation in law. Truly, this was more than worldly pride—it was the answer to long, quiet prayers whispered through the night as he pleaded with the Great Mother Dwi Sakti, the ancestors, and God, that the knowledge of his children would one day shine as light upon the nation.

Tears fell slowly down his wrinkled cheeks. Nang Lecir gave thanks in silence. In his heart he whispered,
"O Great Mother Dwi Sakti, Ancestors, God—this is the fruit of sacrifice. I have no wealth, only a sincere intention and a deep love for this country."

When the student was declared graduated with cum laude honors, applause erupted throughout the hall. Nang Lecir only smiled, then opened his old journal and wrote a sentence full of meaning:

"My beloved children, through sacrifice you will discover the point of life. Through knowledge, you raise the pole that supports the beautiful Red and White flag. Through just law, you will uncover the essence of life’s values."

After the ceremony, without much talk, he quietly took his leave. No escort. No flower arrangements. Only small, meaningful steps down the campus stairs, which had now become silent witnesses to the spiritual journey of an unsung warrior.

He returned to his modest home on the slopes of Mount Penanggungan. There, he once again lit his lamp, bowed in gratitude, and prayed:

"O Great Mother Dwi Sakti, Ancestors, God—strengthen this generation so they may uphold justice. Let their knowledge become fields of good deeds, and let this land be a blessed homeland."

That evening, the sky streaked with magnificent red and white—
as if the heavens, too, understood that on that day, another pole had been planted.
The pole of knowledge.
The pole of justice.
The Red and White Flagpole—thanks to a sincere teacher named Nang Lecir.

By: Ngurah Sigit