Indonesian Folklore "Batu Menangis"

 

“The Legend of Batu Menangis”

 

 

 On a hill far from the village, in the area of ​​​​Kalimantan, there lived a poor widow and her daughter.

The widow's daughter was very beautiful. But unfortunately, he has a very bad attitude. The girl was very lazy, never helped her mother with the housework. His job is just preening every day.

Apart from being lazy, the girl has a very spoiled attitude. All requests must be complied with. Every time he asked his mother for something, it had to be granted, regardless of his poor mother's condition, every day he had to work hard to find a mouthful of rice.

One day the girl was invited by her mother to go down to the village to shop. The location of the village market is very far, so they have to walk which is quite tiring. The girl strolled around wearing nice clothes and preening so that people on the street who saw her would admire her beauty. While his mother walked behind carrying a basket with very dirty clothes. Since they lived in a remote place, no one knew that the two women walking were mother and daughter.

When they started to enter the village, the villagers looked at them. They were so fascinated by the beauty of the girl, especially the village youths who were not satisfied with seeing the girl's face. But when he saw the person walking behind the girl, the situation was a complete contrast. It makes people wonder.

Among the people who saw it, a young man approached and asked the girl, “Hi, beautiful girl. Is it your mother walking behind?"

However, what was the girl's answer?

"No," he said haughtily. "He is my maid!"

The two mothers and children then continued their journey. Not far away, approached another young man and asked the girl.

"Hi, sweety. Is it your mother walking behind you?”

"No, no," replied the girl, tilting her head. "He is a slave!"

That's how every girl met someone along the way who asked about her mother, it was always the answer. His mother was treated as his maid or slave.

At first, hearing the answer of her disobedient daughter when asked by people, the mother was still able to restrain herself. But after repeatedly hearing the same and very hurtful answer, finally, the poor mother could not contain herself. The mother prays.

"Oh my God, I can't stand this humiliation. My biological son is so brave to treat me in such away. Yes, God, punish this ungodly child! Punish him…”

By the power of God Almighty, slowly the rebellious girl's body turned to stone. change starts from feet. When the change had reached half the body, the girl cried begging for forgiveness from her mother.

"Oh, Mother..mother..forgive me, forgive your child's disobedience all this time. Mother… Mother… forgive your child…” The girl continued to weep and cry pleading with her mother. However, it was too late. The girl's entire body finally turned to stone. Even though they were stone, one could see that their eyes were still shedding tears, as if they were crying. Therefore, the stone that came from the girl who got her mother's curse was called the "Crying Stone".

Such is the story in the form of this legend, which the local people believe that the story happened. Whoever disobeys the biological mother who has given birth and raised him, surely his cursed act will be punished by God Almighty.