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This is the story of a popular legend in West Sumatra. A legend for us to remember, how to be careful to make a wish and never be ashamed of your true identity. In a village by a beach once lived a poor widow with her son, Malin. Malin was a smart and gorgeous boy. She loved her son dearly and he was the only reason for her to live. When Malin still a baby, she would carry him everywhere they go, which in local language stated as kundang, that’s why the villagers called him Malin Kundang.

Malin never knew his father. From what he heard, his father was died when he was in his mother’s womb. Some said that his father sailed to other land and never return. Minangkabau people are known for their habit to leave their village to earn in other land which called Merantau. Most of perantau (the person) struggle for their live as merchant and they cross the sea with ships. Malin did not really care about his father though. He has his mother who loved him and would do anything for him.

His mother was a wood picker in nearest forest. Every day Malin would go with his mother to the forest and helped her to collect woods. His mother was very proud of him. Malin was such a dedicated son. She could see that Malin has great integrity in doing a task and he would not stop until he got what he wanted.

When Malin grew bigger, he liked to play in the beach. The beach was very beautiful and from there he always heard the whistle of ships when they came to the port. He liked to come and see the merchant ship. There was a sparkle in his eyes to see the foreign ship and wonderful goods it carried. One nice merchant even let him came onboard and see around. This experience was so amazing that made him plan to sail away with merchant ship once his age was mature enough.

When the time has finally come, Malin told his mother about his plan to go merantau. He said there was a merchant who wanted to take him as ship worker. Malin was very optimistic with this plan. He fed up with their poverty and he wanted to be a rich man so his mother would not have to collect woods from the forest anymore.

It was a hard time for his mother. She knew this time would come. Malin grew as a handsome young man who was full of energy and curiosity to know the world out there. She really loved him and could not stand to see him left. But she knew it was good for Malin. He would have good future if he went merantau. So, with tears falling down her face, she permitted her only son to go.

Day after day, month after month, and year after year had gone without any sign from Malin. His mother was getting old. She kept coming to harbor every time she heard a ship arrived. Every time she came, that every time she disappointed. But she never gave up. She knew one day Malin would came back to his homeland.

While in other part of the world Malin has become important person in the ship. He worked very hard and made his employer proud of him. So Malin was introduced to his beautiful daughter and soon both Malin and and the girl liked each other and after a while they decided to get married.

Even though he has been away from home for years, Malin still can’t forget his village and its beauty. He always told his wife how he used to play in the beach searching sea shells with his friends. He missed the people in the village who were all friendly and missed his mother delicious meals. One day his wife said, “Honey, you always tells me everything about your village. It sounds so beautiful and makes me want to come. Why don’t we drop by for a day or two in our next trip?” Malin thought it was a great idea, so they set a plan.

On the day Malin’s ship anchors in harbor, soon everyone in the village heard the news that Malin was coming. And someone told Malin’s mother this news. His mother is now an elder woman with wrinkles everywhere. She hurriedly goes to harbor to check if the news was true. She has been waiting for this day to come where she will meet her son again. She saw a young gorgeous man standing graciously with a beautiful woman beside him. So she called out, “Malin… Malin… Is that you, my son? I’ven been praying for meeting you again. And I am so happy that I could see you again before I die.” Malin looked down at his now old mother, she was so old and crooked. “Honey, who is that ugly old woman? Is she you mother?” Asked his wife curiously.

Realizing that his mother is now very old and ugly, Malin feel embarrassed to admit her as his mother. “Of course not my dear, I don’t know who she is.” Malin replied. “Hey old woman, I am not your son. My mother is not filthy like you, she is already died.  Take you face off here ‘cause my wife wants to step down.” But his mother kept saying she was his mother. She just knew it instantly that he was Malin. He was very look alike his father.

Malin got angry and said bad words to that poor woman. “I would never have an ugly woman like you as my mother.” He said. He finally decided to go back to the ship and leave. Malin’s words really hurt his mother’s feeling. It felt like the sky had falling down on her. Then she was kneeling while lifting her hands as she begun to pray loudly so everyone could heard. “Dear God, you know who that young man really is. If he is not my son, then bless him with his trip safe and sound to his next destination. But if he really is my son, please punish him equally with what he did to me.” A thunder was roaring like answering her prayers. Suddenly storms were coming. The wind blew so fast and there were lightening and thunders. Malin’s ship was shaking so hard as it begun to drown. Malin realized he had made a huge sin. He hurriedly went to kneel in front of his mother. “Please forgive me mother. I am your son, Malin. Please, forgive me.”

The storm got crazier and suddenly in that heavy rain there was a big lightning seized Malin and his ship. “Mother…!” That was his last scream before his body turned into rock, and so did his ship. That old woman couldn’t do anything to help. She prayed and God heard her prayers, no matter how she regretted that in the end.

The beach still as beautiful as it was, along with Malin Kundang’s rock in the Air Manis Beach in bowed kneeling position. This beach become one of tourism objects in West Sumatra.