Malin Kundang
A long time ago, in West Sumatra, there lived a poor old woman and her son. The son’s name was Malin Kundang. Malin Kundang only lived with his mother because his father had passed away when he was a child.
Malin Kundang grew up as a skillful boy. He was a diligent and strong boy. Everyday, he went to the sea to catch fish. Then, his mother sold the caught fish in the town. However, their income could not fulfill their daily need.
One day, when Malin Kundang was sailing in the sea as usual, a merchant’s ship saw him. The merchant asked Malin to sail together because of Malin’s good ability in sailing. To get a better life, Malin came back to home and asked permission to sail overseas to his mother. He wanted to change their life. His mother agreed. She could only pray to God and wish that Malin could be a successful man.
Many years later, Malin Kundang became wealthy. He had a huge ship and he married the merchant’s beautiful daughter. When he was sailing his trading journey, his ship landed on harbor near a small village. Everybody heard his coming.
“Malin Kundang has come back! He is a rich man now!” they shouted.
Suddenly, an old woman came to the harbor and found Malin Kundang and his wife. She was Malin Kundang’s mother. She wanted to hug him, released her sadness of being lonely after so long time. Unfortunately, Malin Kundang did not show any response.
Malin Kundang ashamed to his wife when he saw his mother in bad clothes. He always said to his wife that he was a son of a rich man.
“Enough old woman! I have never had a mother like you. A dirty and ugly woman!” said Malin.
Malin Kundang’s mother did not believe that her son already forgot her. She said to God to make sure about it.
“God, if he is not my son, forgive me that I have felt he is my son. But if he is my son, You are the fairest one,” she said.
In a short time, a thunderstrom came. Malin’s ship was wrecked by a strong wave. He was thrown by the wave out of his ship on a small island. Suddenly, his body turned into stone.
Isma Rizki