The Dream of Garuda

"Life is sometimes like a football game. There are players coming in, nothing comes out. Sometimes he's on our side, sometimes on the other side. Be close to the arrival time, so did the release. "Thus one advice has ever spoken by Ali Mahfudin to Bayu, his son.
Bang Ali --- so he used to be called, the former national football player who had to bury his dream continued to play football because of injury. Although eventually changing his profession to be taxi drivers, but it not diminished his love of playing football. Many advices conveyed by him to Bayu, associated with football games, so Bayu could be easy to understand. For Bayu, football was not just a game, because he could learn many things there, such as sportsmanship and cooperation. That was why, finally Bayu was inherited the dream of Bang Ali, dreams of being a football player who had Garuda in his chest.Moreover, in the field, Bayu was like a little eagle. The ball was hard off of his foot, like a garuda was gripping prey.
Bayu began to understand his father's advice when Hery, son of wealthy people who are disabled and stuttering, entered in hislife as a new student in his class. At first Bayu did not like him because he looked arrogant. But the presence of Bang Dullah who became an assistant as well as driver of Hey managed to liquefy their relations.Shortly thereafter, Erwin --- best and bench friend of Bayu died because of dengue fever.
It just was not enough, Mr. Usman, a retired grandfather came from Malang to live with them. Bayu began to feel awkward because Grandpa did not like his hobby of playing football, and did not approve of his ideals becoming a football player. Grandpa did not want Bayu like his father, who abandoned his study in college to become a football player. After getting injury, finally he failed becaome a football player as well as employees of Pertamina, the job which Grandpa wanted.
Bayu tried to understand her grandfather's wishes. Although he had annoyed when grandfather set fire to hisf football shoes which awarded to him. However, he was quite amused because his father always supported him. But he felt sad when father and grandpa foughti because of his hobby. Even my grandfather returned to Malang because of his anger. Fortunately, there was mothers who tried to be neutral and always reconciled them.
Meanwhile, Bayu and Hery were increasingly closer. From Bang Dullah, he learned about the accident that killed his mother and made his legs paralyzed. Hery was resulting sorrow so he talked so stuttering.Though flawed, Hery was also a fan of soccer. He was a contributor for the consumption during their school teams competing. Even he bought them VIP tickets of football match of Indonesia against Thailand. Bayu invited his father to participate. However, due to work, the father following the appointment to the stadium before the game.
The poor can not be rejected, the profit can not be achieved. On the way to the stadium, Bang Ali had an accident, and died. Those most supportive man of ‘little garuda’s dream of playing football had passed away. Could Bayu face it? Grandfather promised to bear the cost of his education, but Bayu had be done averything he said. Did it mean that ‘the young Garuda’ would break his dream?
The Dream of Garuda was prequel of the movie 'Garuda in my chest', which the screenplay was written by Salman Aristo. This novel is the first part of the trilogy, The Dream of Garuda, Garuda in my chest, and Garuda Challenging Sun. Benny Rhamdani is the favorite author of children's story. The language is simple so it is easy to be understood by children. But I like the most is the moral teaching that tucked inside it, about the emotional control, sportsmanship, teamwork, friendship, and courage to pursue dreams. This story match for the players and supporters of football who often could not control their emotions. Hehehe ..

Author: Benny Rhamdani

Type: Trilogy

1. The Dream of Garuda

2. Garuda in my chest

3. Garuda Challenging Sun

Publisher: PT Mizan Pustaka Year 2009