APIFantasy | Myth and Folklore Anthology

Malaysian Mythology - Folktale #2: Si Tanggang

Once upon a time, there lived a poor boy named Si Tanggang with his mother in a fishing village. They worked hard every day to catch fish and sell them in the market. Si Tanggang was not happy with his life. He dreamed of going to the city and becoming rich and famous.

One day, he saw a big ship that was docked at the pier. He was curious and asked the sailors what they were doing. They told him that they were traders who traveled around the world and bought and sold goods. They said that they made a lot of money and had a lot of fun.

Si Tanggang was amazed and envious. He wanted to join them and see the world. He ran to his mother and begged her to let him go with the traders. His mother was shocked and scared. She did not want to lose her only son. She tried to persuade him to stay with her and be content with what they had.

But Si Tanggang was stubborn and determined. He said that he was tired of being poor and that he wanted to make his fortune. He said that he would come back someday and take care of her. He said that he loved her and asked for her blessing.

His mother saw that he had made up his mind and that she could not stop him. She loved him too much to deny him his wish. She gave him her blessing and some packs of rice for his journey. She hugged him and kissed him goodbye. She told him to remember her and to come back soon.

Si Tanggang boarded the ship with the traders and sailed away from his village. His mother watched him from the shore until he disappeared from her sight. She cried and prayed for his safety and success.

She waited for him every day, hoping that he would return soon. She missed him terribly and worried about him constantly. She never gave up on him.

Meanwhile, Si Tanggang had a lot of adventures on the ship. He learned how to trade and how to deal with different people and cultures. He was intelligent and brave and soon became very successful. He made a lot of money and bought his own ship. He married a beautiful princess from a faraway land. He forgot about his mother and his village. He became proud and arrogant.

One day, he decided to visit his homeland with his ship and his wife. He wanted to show off his wealth and power to the people who used to look down on him. He did not care about seeing his mother or thanking her for her sacrifice.

He arrived at his village and anchored his ship at the pier. The villagers were amazed by the sight of the magnificent ship and the elegant couple who came out of it. They wondered who they were and what they wanted.

Si Tanggang's mother heard the commotion and came out of her hut. She saw the ship and recognized it as her son's. She was overjoyed and ran towards it, calling out his name.

Si Tanggang saw her coming and felt ashamed and annoyed. He did not want his wife or anyone else to know he came from a poor family. He pretended not to know her and told her to go away.

His mother was shocked and hurt by his words. She could not believe that he would deny her after all these years. She begged him to acknowledge her as his mother and to embrace her as his son.

But Si Tanggang was cruel and heartless. He said that he was not her son and that she was not his mother. He said that she was a dirty old woman who wanted to take advantage of him. He said that he had no relation with her or with this village.

His mother was devastated by his rejection and insult. She felt a surge of anger and sorrow in her heart. She cursed him for being ungrateful and disobedient. She prayed to God to punish him for his sins.

God heard her prayer and granted her wish. A thunderstorm suddenly broke out over the sea, followed by a strong earthquake that shook the land. Si Tanggang, his ship, and his crew were turned into stone by God's wrath.

They remain as stones, as a reminder of the consequences of dishonoring one's parents.

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