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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