Malin Kundang

A Folktale from West Sumatra

Retold by Tsuraya Yahya

Once upon a time, in a village called Pantai Pasir Angin, lived a woman named Mande Rubayah. She was a widow. Her husband sailed to the city to find a better job, but he never came back. She had a son named Malin Kundang. Malin Kundang was the only one she had after her husband died. She loved her son so much. Mande Rubayah was so poor. She just sold cakes around the village for a living.

One day, Malin Kundang was severely sick. Mande Rubayah took care of him. Finally, Malin recovered from his serious illness. His mother loved him even more.

Years passed. Malin Kundang grew up. He has seen his mother worked so hard, but it was never enough to afford both their life. When a ship docked in his village, Malin decided to join that ship and sailed to the city. He wanted to find a better job. He talked to his mother about his plan.

“Mother, there is a ship sailing to the city. I will take that ship and find a job in the city, so we can have a better life.”

Her mother did not allow him to go.

“But son, the city is far away on the other island. What if something bad happens to you on that journey?” Mother said.

“Don’t worry mother. I can take care of myself. I’ll be fine,” Malin assured his mother.

Eventually, Mande Rubayah allowed Malin Kundang to go. She provided him with some food for his journey. The next day, Malin set off, leaving his village and his mother.

Days and months passed. Mande Rubayah did not hear anything about Malin Kundang. She was so worried. She wondered about Malin’s whereabout. She hoped that nothing bad happened to his son. She came to the dock almost everyday and asked every ship crews if they knew about Malin Kundang. Unfortunately, no one had ever heard about him.

Years had passed. Malin’s mother was getting older and grew weaker. Still, she had not got any news about her son, Malin Kundang. Until one day, she met the captain who took Malin on his ship. The captain told Mande Rubayah that his son had become rich, and he married a young rich beautiful woman. Mande Rubayah was very happy to hear it. However, months after Mande Rubayah heard news about Malin, Malin did not come back to his village.