Malin Panji

    Once upon a time, on the north coast of Sumatra lived a poor woman and her son who lived in poverty. She lived with her only son, whose name was Malin Panji. Every day she worked as a fisherwoman. However, her income could not meet their daily needs, so they always lived in poverty. When Malin Panji grew up, he decided to go to the city. He wanted to try his luck. 

"Maybe I can change our fate by going to the city, Mother" Malin Panji said. 

    With hesitation, his mother gave her permission. Now his mother was a lonely old woman again. After Malin left, his mother thought about her son's condition all the time. She became sickly, while Malin never sent her any news. Until a few years later, Malin managed to change his fate. He became a wealthy merchant. Malin owned many ships. Malin's life was no longer difficult. Malin also married a beautiful noble person.

    One day, Malin wanted to check on his village. He had not been home for a long time. Malin went with his wife and many workers. He also brought a lot of money to share with the villagers. Malin arrived in his village. He proudly distributed the money to the villagers. The people of his village were very happy. One of them recognized Malin, his neighbor. The man immediately went to Malin's house to tell Malin's mother the good news.

"Excuse me, did you know that your son, Malin, is now a rich man?" the neighbor exclaimed.

"How did you know? I've never heard from him," said Malin's mother in surprise.

"Now go to the docks. Your son Malin is there. He looks very handsome, and his wife is also very beautiful," said the neighbor. 

    Malin's mother couldn't believe it. Her eyes filled with tears. She had truly missed her son all those years. So she ran to the dock. Sure enough, there was Malin with his beautiful wife.

"Malin, you're home, son," his mother called.

    Malin recognized his mother. But he was ashamed to acknowledge his parents, who were dressed in shabby clothes. How would he explain all this to his wife?

"You said your mother had died. Is this your mother?" asked Malin's wife, confused.

"She's not my mother, she's a beggar pretending to be my mother," Malin shouted.

    Malin's words wounded his mother's heart. His mother cursed Malin.

"Your heart is as hard as stone, Malin. So, I curse you, you disobedient son." his mother said.

    Malin Panji ignored his mother's words and left the village. A few days after his mother cursed him, Panji began to experience considerable losses in his business, and he also lost his wife, because his wife did not want to live in poverty. After his wife said, "I don't want to live in poverty or endure the hardship of being with you," she left him.

    Malin Panji continued to suffer when he also sold his large ship and pawned all his possessions until there was nothing left to pay his customers. When Malin was at his lowest point, he realized what he had said and done to his mother. "Oh God, forgive me for losing my temper and humiliating my mother who gave birth to me and raised me" Malin Panji apologized for his actions, but it was too late. He felt a desperate need to go to his mother's village to seek her forgiveness, even if it meant hijacking a passing ship. 

    In the middle of his sea voyage, sudden heavy weather came with heavy rain and big waves that made his ship break and sink. Malin tried to save himself by swimming, but his foot got caught in something in the sea. Malin Panji had disappeared to the bottom of the sea.

Moral Value: Don't be disobedient to your parents. Always be devoted to your parents.