Once upon a time, in a small village by the sea, there lived a poor woman and her only son, Malin Kundang. They struggled to survive, but the mother always worked hard to provide for her beloved child.
One day, Malin decided to leave the village and seek fortune in a distant land. His mother was sad but let him go, hoping he would return as a successful man.
Years passed, and Malin Kundang became a rich merchant. He married a beautiful woman from a noble family and lived in luxury. However, he forgot about his mother and his humble origins.
One day, Malin's ship docked near his home village. His mother, hearing of his return, rushed to the shore, eager to see her son again. She called out to him with tears in her eyes, "Malin, my son! You have returned!"
But Malin Kundang was ashamed of his poor mother. In front of his wife and crew, he denied knowing her. "I don’t know this old woman," he said coldly. His mother begged him, but he pushed her away and ordered his crew to set sail.
Heartbroken, the mother raised her hands to the sky and prayed, "Oh, God, if he is truly my son and has forgotten me, punish him!"
Suddenly, the sky darkened, and a mighty storm arose. The waves crashed violently against Malin’s ship, and lightning struck him. His body turned into stone, forever cursed for his ungratefulness.
To this day, a large rock shaped like a kneeling man can be found on the shores of West Sumatra, believed to be Malin Kundang’s petrified form—a reminder of a son’s betrayal and a mother’s sorrow.
Moral of the Story:Always honor and respect your parents, no matter how successful you become. Gratitude and kindness will always lead to a better fate.
#MalinKundang #IndonesianFolklore #Legend #RespectYourParents