DURING his teenage years, Boediono’s daily activities consisted of opening his family’s batik store in the morning and closing it at night. Unknown to him, his activities were watched by the girl next door, Herawati. Herti, as she is usually called, was impressed because she seldom saw a teenage boy willing to do such chores.

Herti is the daughter of Imam Suwignyo and Hendi Karjilah. Imam worked as head of Public Works in Blitar regency and