Malin Kundang grew up poor with his mother by the sea in a village. As a young man, he promised his mother he would return successful. Malin worked hard and became very rich, but forgot his origins and mother. When his ship arrived at his home village years later, his now sick mother came to greet him, but Malin denied knowing her to hide his poor background. As punishment for breaking his promise, Malin was turned into a large black rock.