Chapter :

Long ago, in a quiet fishing village near the beautiful beaches of Padang, there lived a boy named Malin Kundang. Malin was a bright and hardworking teenager, deeply loved by his mother. Despite their love for each other, they lived in poverty, relying solely on fishing for their daily needs. Malin often dreamed of a better life beyond the village.

One sunny day, Malin noticed a grand ship anchored at the village pier. His eyes sparkled with hope and excitement as he saw this as his chance to change his life. He rushed to his mother, begging her to let him go to the city to seek his fortune. His mother, worried about his safety, was reluctant at first. But seeing his determination, she finally agreed. She gave him a small pack of rice for food and made him promise to remember her and return home. With a heavy heart, she said her goodbyes as Malin boarded the ship and sailed away.

Every morning, Malin's mother stood at the edge of the pier, gazing at the horizon, praying for her son's safety and eagerly waiting for his return. Days turned into months, and months into years, yet there was no word from Malin. Still, she never lost hope.

One day, a magnificent ship docked at the village pier. The villagers gathered, curious about the luxurious vessel. To their astonishment, a man and a woman dressed in rich, lavish clothes disembarked. Malin's mother recognized the man immediately—it was her long-lost son! Overwhelmed with joy, she ran to him and hugged him tightly. But to her shock, Malin pushed her away. Embarrassed by her shabby appearance, he refused to acknowledge her as his mother. His wife, looking down at the ragged old woman, asked who she was. Afraid of what his wife might think, Malin denied knowing her and walked away, leaving his mother heartbroken.

With tears in her eyes, Malin's mother prayed. She asked for forgiveness if the man was not her son but pleaded for justice if he was. Suddenly, dark clouds gathered, and a fierce storm erupted. Lightning struck Malin's ship, tearing it apart. The next morning, the villagers found pieces of the ship scattered along the beach. Among the wreckage was a large stone in the shape of a kneeling man. It was believed that Malin Kundang had been turned into stone as punishment for his ungratefulness and arrogance towards his mother.

From that day on, the villagers remembered the story of Malin Kundang, a powerful reminder of the importance of respecting and being grateful to one's parents. Malin had forgotten his humble origins and the sacrifices his mother had made for him, and in the end, he faced the dire consequences of his actions.