Long ago, in a small coastal village in Indonesia, there lived a young man named Malin Kundang. He was a strong and ambitious boy, always yearning for adventure beyond the confines of his village.
One day, Malin Kundang decided to leave his home and seek his fortune as a sailor. With dreams of wealth and success, he bid farewell to his mother and set sail across the vast ocean.
For years, Malin Kundang traveled from port to port, working hard and making a name for himself as a skilled sailor. With each voyage, his wealth grew, and he soon became the captain of his own ship.
However, amidst his success, Malin Kundang forgot about his humble beginnings and the family he left behind. He became arrogant and proud, caring only for his own riches and glory.
One day, as his ship anchored near the shores of his old village, Malin Kundang's mother heard of his return. Overjoyed, she rushed to the harbor to greet her long-lost son.
But when Malin Kundang saw his mother, he felt ashamed of her ragged appearance and refused to acknowledge her. With disdain, he turned his back on her and ordered his crew to set sail once more, leaving his mother heartbroken on the shore.
As the ship sailed away, a great storm suddenly arose, lashing the sea with ferocious winds and waves. Despite Malin Kundang's efforts to steer the ship to safety, it was soon battered and torn apart by the raging tempest.
In his moment of desperation, Malin Kundang realized the error of his ways and begged for forgiveness from the sea and the heavens above. But it was too late. As punishment for his arrogance and betrayal, Malin Kundang was transformed into a stone, condemned to remain forever as a monument of his folly.
And so, to this day, the people of the village tell the tale of Malin Kundang, the once proud sailor who was turned to stone for his disobedience and lack of filial piety.
The story of Malin Kundang serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of humility, respect, and the consequences of forgetting one's roots.
Why is Malin Kundang turned into a stone?