Narrative Text

Malin Kundang

Once upon a time, in a small village in Indonesia, there lived a poor woman and her son, Malin Kundang. Malin’s father had died when he was very young, so his mother raised him alone. They were poor but lived happily together.

As Malin grew older, he became very ambitious. He wanted to leave the village and find a better life in the city. One day, a big ship came to the village port. Malin asked the captain if he could join the crew, and the captain agreed. Malin promised his mother that he would return one day and take her out of poverty. Sadly, his mother watched him leave.

Years passed, and Malin worked very hard. He became a successful merchant and married a rich woman. One day, his ship returned to his home village. When his mother heard that Malin was back, she was very happy and went to the port to meet him. However, Malin was embarrassed by his poor mother and did not want his wife to know about her. He pretended not to know his mother and said she was a crazy old woman.

Malin’s mother was heartbroken. She prayed to God to punish him for his ungratefulness. Suddenly, a storm came, and Malin’s ship was struck by lightning. Malin was turned into stone. To this day, people in Indonesia say that the rocks by the sea are Malin Kundang, a reminder of what happens when someone forgets their family.

Who is the main character in the story?

• The ship captain

• Malin Kundang

• Malin’s mother

• Malin’s wife

Malin Kundang

Once upon a time, in a small village in Indonesia, there lived a poor woman and her son, Malin Kundang. Malin’s father had died when he was very young, so his mother raised him alone. They were poor but lived happily together.

As Malin grew older, he became very ambitious. He wanted to leave the village and find a better life in the city. One day, a big ship came to the village port. Malin asked the captain if he could join the crew, and the captain agreed. Malin promised his mother that he would return one day and take her out of poverty. Sadly, his mother watched him leave.

Years passed, and Malin worked very hard. He became a successful merchant and married a rich woman. One day, his ship returned to his home village. When his mother heard that Malin was back, she was very happy and went to the port to meet him. However, Malin was embarrassed by his poor mother and did not want his wife to know about her. He pretended not to know his mother and said she was a crazy old woman.

Here's a simplified version of the story of Malin Kundang, adapted for intermediate language learners. This version keeps the core elements of the tale but uses straightforward language and includes key vocabulary. After the story, I’ll outline a few comprehension and vocabulary-building activities that you might find helpful.

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Malin Kundang

Once upon a time, in a small village in Indonesia, there lived a poor woman and her son, Malin Kundang. Malin’s father had died when he was very young, so his mother raised him alone. They were poor but lived happily together.

As Malin grew older, he became very ambitious. He wanted to leave the village and find a better life in the city. One day, a big ship came to the village port. Malin asked the captain if he could join the crew, and the captain agreed. Malin promised his mother that he would return one day and take her out of poverty. Sadly, his mother watched him leave.

Years passed, and Malin worked very hard. He became a successful merchant and married a rich woman. One day, his ship returned to his home village. When his mother heard that Malin was back, she was very happy and went to the port to meet him. However, Malin was embarrassed by his poor mother and did not want his wife to know about her. He pretended not to know his mother and said she was a crazy old woman.

Malin’s mother was heartbroken. She prayed to God to punish him for his ungratefulness. Suddenly, a storm came, and Malin’s ship was struck by lightning. Malin was turned into stone. To this day, people in Indonesia say that the rocks by the sea are Malin Kundang, a reminder of what happens when someone forgets their family.

Who are the characters in the story of Malin Kundang?

• Malin Kundang, Malin’s mother, and Malin's Wife

• Malin Kundang, Malin’s wife, and the villagers

• Malin’s mother, the ship captain, and Malin’s brother

• Malin Kundang, the king, and the villagers

Malin Kundang

Once upon a time, in a small village in Indonesia, there lived a poor woman and her son, Malin Kundang. Malin’s father had died when he was very young, so his mother raised him alone. They were poor but lived happily together.

As Malin grew older, he became very ambitious. He wanted to leave the village and find a better life in the city. One day, a big ship came to the village port. Malin asked the captain if he could join the crew, and the captain agreed. Malin promised his mother that he would return one day and take her out of poverty. Sadly, his mother watched him leave.

Years passed, and Malin worked very hard. He became a successful merchant and married a rich woman. One day, his ship returned to his home village. When his mother heard that Malin was back, she was very happy and went to the port to meet him. However, Malin was embarrassed by his poor mother and did not want his wife to know about her. He pretended not to know his mother and said she was a crazy old woman.

Malin’s mother was heartbroken. She prayed to God to punish him for his ungratefulness. Suddenly, a storm came, and Malin’s ship was struck by lightning. Malin was turned into stone. To this day, people in Indonesia say that the rocks by the sea are Malin Kundang, a reminder of what happens when someone forgets their family.

Where does the story of Malin Kundang take place?

• In a large city

• In a small village by the sea in Indonesia

• In a forest far from any town

• In a palace in the capital

Malin Kundang

Once upon a time, in a small village in Indonesia, there lived a poor woman and her son, Malin Kundang. Malin’s father had died when he was very young, so his mother raised him alone. They were poor but lived happily together.

As Malin grew older, he became very ambitious. He wanted to leave the village and find a better life in the city. One day, a big ship came to the village port. Malin asked the captain if he could join the crew, and the captain agreed. Malin promised his mother that he would return one day and take her out of poverty. Sadly, his mother watched him leave.

Years passed, and Malin worked very hard. He became a successful merchant and married a rich woman. One day, his ship returned to his home village. When his mother heard that Malin was back, she was very happy and went to the port to meet him. However, Malin was embarrassed by his poor mother and did not want his wife to know about her. He pretended not to know his mother and said she was a crazy old woman.

Malin’s mother was heartbroken. She prayed to God to punish him for his ungratefulness. Suddenly, a storm came, and Malin’s ship was struck by lightning. Malin was turned into stone. To this day, people in Indonesia say that the rocks by the sea are Malin Kundang, a reminder of what happens when someone forgets their family.

What was Malin Kundang’s job after he left his village?

• He became a fisherman.

• He became a merchant and successful businessman.

• He became a sailor on a navy ship.

• He became a ship captain.

Malin Kundang

Once upon a time, in a small village in Indonesia, there lived a poor woman and her son, Malin Kundang. Malin’s father had died when he was very young, so his mother raised him alone. They were poor but lived happily together.

As Malin grew older, he became very ambitious. He wanted to leave the village and find a better life in the city. One day, a big ship came to the village port. Malin asked the captain if he could join the crew, and the captain agreed. Malin promised his mother that he would return one day and take her out of poverty. Sadly, his mother watched him leave.

Years passed, and Malin worked very hard. He became a successful merchant and married a rich woman. One day, his ship returned to his home village. When his mother heard that Malin was back, she was very happy and went to the port to meet him. However, Malin was embarrassed by his poor mother and did not want his wife to know about her. He pretended not to know his mother and said she was a crazy old woman.

Malin’s mother was heartbroken. She prayed to God to punish him for his ungratefulness. Suddenly, a storm came, and Malin’s ship was struck by lightning. Malin was turned into stone. To this day, people in Indonesia say that the rocks by the sea are Malin Kundang, a reminder of what happens when someone forgets their family.

What was Malin Kundang’s character like when he was younger?

• He was kind and always helps his mother

• He was ambitious and dreams of a better life.

• He was lazy and does not want to work.

• He was afraid to leave the village.

Malin Kundang

Once upon a time, in a small village in Indonesia, there lived a poor woman and her son, Malin Kundang. Malin’s father had died when he was very young, so his mother raised him alone. They were poor but lived happily together.

As Malin grew older, he became very ambitious. He wanted to leave the village and find a better life in the city. One day, a big ship came to the village port. Malin asked the captain if he could join the crew, and the captain agreed. Malin promised his mother that he would return one day and take her out of poverty. Sadly, his mother watched him leave.

Years passed, and Malin worked very hard. He became a successful merchant and married a rich woman. One day, his ship returned to his home village. When his mother heard that Malin was back, she was very happy and went to the port to meet him. However, Malin was embarrassed by his poor mother and did not want his wife to know about her. He pretended not to know his mother and said she was a crazy old woman.

Malin’s mother was heartbroken. She prayed to God to punish him for his ungratefulness. Suddenly, a storm came, and Malin’s ship was struck by lightning. Malin was turned into stone. To this day, people in Indonesia say that the rocks by the sea are Malin Kundang, a reminder of what happens when someone forgets their family.

Why did Malin Kundang leave his village?

• • He wanted to find his lost father.

• • He wanted to find a better life and become successful.

• • He was forced to leave by the villagers.

• • He wanted to become a fisherman.

Malin Kundang

Once upon a time, in a small village in Indonesia, there lived a poor woman and her son, Malin Kundang. Malin’s father had died when he was very young, so his mother raised him alone. They were poor but lived happily together.

As Malin grew older, he became very ambitious. He wanted to leave the village and find a better life in the city. One day, a big ship came to the village port. Malin asked the captain if he could join the crew, and the captain agreed. Malin promised his mother that he would return one day and take her out of poverty. Sadly, his mother watched him leave.

Years passed, and Malin worked very hard. He became a successful merchant and married a rich woman. One day, his ship returned to his home village. When his mother heard that Malin was back, she was very happy and went to the port to meet him. However, Malin was embarrassed by his poor mother and did not want his wife to know about her. He pretended not to know his mother and said she was a crazy old woman.

Malin’s mother was heartbroken. She prayed to God to punish him for his ungratefulness. Suddenly, a storm came, and Malin’s ship was struck by lightning. Malin was turned into stone. To this day, people in Indonesia say that the rocks by the sea are Malin Kundang, a reminder of what happens when someone forgets their family.

How did Malin Kundang treat his mother when he saw her after many years?

• He ignored her and told her to go away.

• He invited her aboard his ship.

• He invited her aboard his ship.

• He hugged her and apologized for leaving.

Malin Kundang

Once upon a time, in a small village in Indonesia, there lived a poor woman and her son, Malin Kundang. Malin’s father had died when he was very young, so his mother raised him alone. They were poor but lived happily together.

As Malin grew older, he became very ambitious. He wanted to leave the village and find a better life in the city. One day, a big ship came to the village port. Malin asked the captain if he could join the crew, and the captain agreed. Malin promised his mother that he would return one day and take her out of poverty. Sadly, his mother watched him leave.

Years passed, and Malin worked very hard. He became a successful merchant and married a rich woman. One day, his ship returned to his home village. When his mother heard that Malin was back, she was very happy and went to the port to meet him. However, Malin was embarrassed by his poor mother and did not want his wife to know about her. He pretended not to know his mother and said she was a crazy old woman.

Malin’s mother was heartbroken. She prayed to God to punish him for his ungratefulness. Suddenly, a storm came, and Malin’s ship was struck by lightning. Malin was turned into stone. To this day, people in Indonesia say that the rocks by the sea are Malin Kundang, a reminder of what happens when someone forgets their family.

Why did Malin Kundang’s mother go to the port when she heard Malin was back?

• She wanted to welcome him with gifts.

• She wanted to ask him for money.

• She was excited to see her son and meet his wife.

• She wanted to take him back home.

Malin Kundang

Once upon a time, in a small village in Indonesia, there lived a poor woman and her son, Malin Kundang. Malin’s father had died when he was very young, so his mother raised him alone. They were poor but lived happily together.

As Malin grew older, he became very ambitious. He wanted to leave the village and find a better life in the city. One day, a big ship came to the village port. Malin asked the captain if he could join the crew, and the captain agreed. Malin promised his mother that he would return one day and take her out of poverty. Sadly, his mother watched him leave.

Years passed, and Malin worked very hard. He became a successful merchant and married a rich woman. One day, his ship returned to his home village. When his mother heard that Malin was back, she was very happy and went to the port to meet him. However, Malin was embarrassed by his poor mother and did not want his wife to know about her. He pretended not to know his mother and said she was a crazy old woman.

Malin’s mother was heartbroken. She prayed to God to punish him for his ungratefulness. Suddenly, a storm came, and Malin’s ship was struck by lightning. Malin was turned into stone. To this day, people in Indonesia say that the rocks by the sea are Malin Kundang, a reminder of what happens when someone forgets their family.

What is the moral value of the story of Malin Kundang?

• Always be kind to others, no matter their appearance.

• Be ambitious and always strive for success.

• Never forget your family, and be grateful for your roots.

• • Money can solve all of life’s problems.

Malin Kundang

Once upon a time, in a small village in Indonesia, there lived a poor woman and her son, Malin Kundang. Malin’s father had died when he was very young, so his mother raised him alone. They were poor but lived happily together.

As Malin grew older, he became very ambitious. He wanted to leave the village and find a better life in the city. One day, a big ship came to the village port. Malin asked the captain if he could join the crew, and the captain agreed. Malin promised his mother that he would return one day and take her out of poverty. Sadly, his mother watched him leave.

Years passed, and Malin worked very hard. He became a successful merchant and married a rich woman. One day, his ship returned to his home village. When his mother heard that Malin was back, she was very happy and went to the port to meet him. However, Malin was embarrassed by his poor mother and did not want his wife to know about her. He pretended not to know his mother and said she was a crazy old woman.

Malin’s mother was heartbroken. She prayed to God to punish him for his ungratefulness. Suddenly, a storm came, and Malin’s ship was struck by lightning. Malin was turned into stone. To this day, people in Indonesia say that the rocks by the sea are Malin Kundang, a reminder of what happens when someone forgets their family.

What happened to Malin Kundang in the end?

• He became very rich and moved to another village.

• He was struck by lightning and turned into stone.

• He left the village with his wife and never came back.

• He returned to the village to apologize to his mother.