Malin Kundang is a story from Indonesia about a boy named Malin who grew up with his mother after his father died. Malin promised his mother he would return successful and not forget her, but when he became rich he denied knowing her and was turned into a black rock by the gods as punishment for breaking his promise and dishonoring his mother. The moral of the story is to always keep promises to parents and be kind to those less fortunate.

1. Malin Kundang
The cursed Master Goldrich

2. This is a story from Indonesia, a country far - far
away from here. If you want to go to
Indonesia, you must go by airplane for one
day and one night.
This is a story about a child who did something
terrible to his mother. Do you want to know
what happened to him?
Ok. So, now, listen carefully….

4. Once upon a time, there was a young boy named
MALIN KUNDANG. He lived with his mother near
the sea. His father has died in the sea a long time
ago. Malin and his mother were poor. But they
loved each other very much.
They lived in a very simple house and wore simple
clothes as well. Every day Malin collected fish from
the sea and his mother dried them on the beach.
And later sell them in the market.
It so happened that, one day, Malin fell down and
hurt his right hand. This left a mark that only him
and his mother would know about.

6. MALIN grew into a strong and handsome young man. He caught
more and more fish every day. While his mother grew older
and older.
One night in the kitchen, MALIN said to his mother: “I want to
go to the other island”.
“What for my son?” asked his mother.
“I want that one day I return home with a lot of money, to take
care of you when you are older” said Malin.
Although she was worried and did not want him to go, but the
mother finally walk him to the beach.
"My son, if you are successful and become a rich person,
promise me that you would not forget your mother and also
your village“ said his mother.
“Yes mother, I promise” said Malin and then he left.

8. Far and far away form home in the other island, Malin
worked hard. By saving his money bit-by-bit, over the
years Malin bought his first boat, and then a big ship,
and finally he has a lot of ships and a load of money.
When marrying a beautiful Indian Princess Malin said :“I
was born in a Noble Family, my name is Goldrich”.
From then on, he is known as “Master Goldrich” a noble
man, born from a noble family.
No one knows, and he never told anyone, that actually he
has a poor mother, an old woman who dried fish on
the beach. Malin has intentionally forgotten his
mother, and he also forgotten his village

10. Meanwhile, back in the village in a small far away island,
a mother missed her son.
“Oh my son, what has happened to you?, where are you
now?” the old woman cried as she looked at the sea.
Every day she waited at the beach while praying for his
son to be safe, rich, and to grow into a good man.
She waited years after years, but there was no news
about her son, never any news for her. Tired of waiting,
the old woman grew weaker and weaker. Living all
alone, the poor old woman is so sad, she got ill, and no
one is taking care of her.

12. One bright and shiny day, a neighbour hurried to the old
woman’s dying bed. “Grandma, there is a big ship
arriving at the port. The owner is a rich man named
Master Goldrich” said the neighbour. “Come along
grandma, everyone in the village is welcoming the
noble Master Goldrich” she said.
With great difficulty, the old woman came to the port.
And when the Master Goldrich waved his hand to
welcome the villagers, the woman saw the mark at his
right hand.
“Thank God” shouted the old woman happily, “Malin, my
son, has return home to me as he promised”. And then
she hurried home.

14. At home, the old woman prepared his son’s favourit
food, steamed rice and dried fish. She put on her
tattered blouse and head scarf. And then hurried
back to the port. The news of his son coming home
has cured her from the illness.
At the port the woman stood by the big ship and
shouted:”Malin my son, welcome home. This is your
mother. I bring your favourit food for you, steamed
rice and dried fish”.
She was so glad, her eyes was full of tears of
happiness.

16. In the meantime, on board the big ship, the Princess who heard
the old woman asked : “My dear husband, who is that old
woman wearing tattered clothes at the port? She said she is
your mother and is bringing food for you”
The Master Goldrich was ashamed that his mother is a poor
woman form a fishing village. He said curtly: “No, she is not
my mother, and I do not come from this poor village”. He
went to the stern and shouted :”Go away old woman! I don’t
know you!” Of course this was not true. Malin has broken his
promise!
The old woman fell down and cried so sad:”But I know you are
my son, Malin, that mark in your right hand is the proof” said
the woman in sorrow.
Master Goldrich shouted back:”Go away old woman, you are
NOT my mother, go away!”

18. All of sudden, as soon as the old woman’s tears touched
the ground, the sky turned black and “Blarrr, Blarr,
Blarrr”, thunder lightning struck again and again. For
the whole night there was pouring rain and thunder
storm. Everyone went home taking cover and no one
knew what happen at the port.
In the morning, the sun was shining again ever so
brightly. “But where is the big ship?” everyone was
asking to one another.
There was no big ship. Instead, there was a huge black
rock that looked like a ship. “The rock was not there
last night!” said one person. “The ship and Master
Goldrich has turned into a huge black rock!” said the
other.

20. That was the end of the story of Malin Kundang, who
broke her promise, betrayed his mother and himself.
Until now, when there is a heavy rain in Indonesia, in
between thunderstorms, you could hear Malin
Kundang crying, asking forgiveness from his mother.
So children, do you want to turn into ROCK?.
If not, you must remember this:
1.Never say bad thing to and about your parents
2.Keep your promise to be a good person, and
3.Be kind to those who are poor and less fortunate
Thank you