Malin Kundang

The original "Malin Kundang" story is set at a specific location, the Air Manis Beach in Padang,
West Sumatra. Malin Kundang tells the story of an ungrateful son who is cursed into stone by
his mother.

Long ago, lost on the coast of West Sumatra, there lived a fishing family consisting of a father,
mother and son named Malin Kundang. Their life is very difficult and deprived.

Realizing the condition of his family, his father finally decided to migrate to another country, in
hopes to change the fate of his family, especially his son.

Years past, his father never came home and there was no news of his whereabouts, The family
finally gave in and accept the fact that he’s long gone.

Time went on until finally Malin Kundang grew into a hardworking young man. He always
helped his mother earn money and finally decided to migrate as well.

Although with a heavy heart, the mother let Malin go to look for money to another country. In
return, Malin promised his mother to come back and make her proud.

After several years, Malin Kundang returned to his hometown. He wore fine clothes and sailed
on a big ship. Because of this, he caught the attention of many nearby villagers, some of them
recognized him and the word spreads fast until it finally reached his mother.

The mother, was exhilarated to hear that her only child had came back after years, and rushed
over to meet him. There, the mother saw her little boy and her heart was filled with happiness,
“MALINN!!” she shouted, when Malins eyes met with her mothers, he was embarrassed to see
her again, his wife asked if the woman was his mother, although he doesn’t want to admit that
the old woman was the one that gave birth to him. “of course not! Idk who she is” he replied.

Feeling betrayed and disappointed, The mother prayed to God so that her son would be given a
severe punishment. Suddenly.., Malin Kundang, his ship and his crew were struck by lightning
and turned to stone.

Although after what Malin did to her, she still . Today, a stone believed to be Malin Kundang still
stands on a beach in West Sumatra. Actually in fact, I myself have seen the stone while I was
visiting a family there, but that’s for another story. Anyways that was the end of that story.

Hopefully Malin Kundang's story can be a reminder for us to always be grateful for our parents.