MALIN KUNDANG
Once upon a time, on the north coast of
Sumatra lived a poor woman and his son. The boy was called Malin Kundang. They
didn’t earn much as fishing was their only source of income. Malin Kundang grew
up as a skillful young boy. He always helps his mother to earn some money.
However, as they were only fisherman’s helper, they still lived in poverty.
“Mother, what if I sail overseas?” asked Malin Kundang one day to his mother.
Her mother didn’t agree but Malin Kundang had made up his mind. “Mother, if I
stay here, I’ll always be a poor man. I want to be a successful person,” urged
Malin kundang. His mother wiped her tears, “If you really want to go, I can’t
stop you. I could only pray to God for you to gain success in life,” said his
mother wisely. “But, promise me, you’ll come home.”
In the next morning, Malin Kundang was ready
to go. Three days ago, he met one of the successful ship’s crew. Malin was
offered to join him. “Take a good care of yourself, son,” said Malin Kundang’s
mother as she gave him some food supplies. “Yes, Mother,” Malin Kundang said.
“You too have to take a good care of yourself. I’ll keep in touch with you,” he
continued before kissing his mother’s hand. Before Malin stepped onto the ship,
Malin’s mother hugged him tight as if she didn’t want to let him go.
It had been three months since Malin Kundang
left his mother. As his mother had predicted before, he hadn’t contacted her
yet. Every morning, she stood on the pier. She wished to see the ship that
brought Malin kundang home. Every day and night, she prayed to the God for her
son’s safety. There was so much prayer that had been said due to her deep love
for Malin Kundang. Even though it’s been a year she had not heard any news from
Malin Kundang, she kept waiting and praying for him.
After several years waiting without any news,
Malin Kundang’s mother was suddenly surprised by the arrival of a big ship in
the pier where she usually stood to wait for her son. When the ship finally
pulled over, Malin Kundang’s mother saw a man who looked wealthy stepping down
a ladder along with a beautiful woman. She could not be wrong. Her blurry eyes
still easily recognized him. The man was Malin Kundang, her son.
Malin Kundang’s mother quickly went to see her
beloved son. “Malin, you’re back, son!” said Malin Kundang’s mother and without
hesitation, she came running to hug Malin Kundang, “I miss you so much.” But,
Malin Kundang didn’t show any respond. He was ashamed to admit his own mother
in front of his beautiful wife. “You’re not my Mother. I don’t know you. My
mother would never wear such ragged and ugly clothes,” said Malin Kundang as he
release his mother embrace.
Malin Kundang’s mother take a step back,
“Malin…You don’t recognize me? I’m your mother!” she said sadly. Malin
Kundang’s face was as cold as ice. “Guard, take this old women out of here,”
Malin Kundang ordered his bodyguard. “Give her some money so she won’t disturb
me again!” Malin Kundang’s mother cried as she was dragged by the bodyguard,
”Malin… my son. Why do you treat your own mother like this?”
Malin Kundang ignored his mother and ordered
the ship crews to set sail. Malin Kundang’s mother sat alone in the pier. Her
heart was so hurt, she cried and cried. “Dear God, if he isn’t my son, please
let him have a save journey. But if he is, I cursed him to become a stone,” she
prayed to the God.
In the quiet sea, suddenly the wind blew so
hard and a thunderstorm came. Malin Kundang’s huge ship was wrecked. He was
thrown by the wave out of his ship, and fell on a small island. Suddenly, his
whole body turned into stone. He was punished for not admitting his own mother.
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