It was an unbearably hot day, the sun beating down relentlessly on the farmer as he worked tirelessly in his field. The hours dragged on, and the farmer could feel his strength slowly waning. Sweat poured down his face, and his body ached from the labor. He longed for a moment of rest, a brief respite from the harsh conditions. Just as he was about to find a shaded spot under a tree, something caught his eye—a glimmer of light reflecting off something on the ground. Curious, he walked over to investigate.
As he got closer, the source of the shine became clear: it was a small statue, intricately crafted in the shape of a hedgehog. The sunlight bounced off its surface, making it sparkle like a precious gem. The most striking feature of the statue were its eyes, made of glistening diamonds that captured the light in a way that made them appear alive. The farmer, amazed by its beauty, carefully picked up the statue and brought it home. He couldn’t wait to show it to his wife, hoping it would bring some joy to their humble home. When she saw the statue, her face lit up with happiness. Though they were poor, they saw an opportunity in this rare find and decided to sell it, hoping the money would bring them a better future.
That night, as the farmer lay exhausted from his day's work, he drifted into a deep sleep. In the stillness of the night, a strange and vivid dream unfolded before him. A giant hedgehog, much larger than any creature he had ever seen, appeared before him in a cloud of shimmering light. Its spines glowed softly, and its eyes were filled with ancient wisdom. The farmer stood frozen in awe as the hedgehog spoke in a voice that was both gentle and powerful.
“Please let me stay in your home,” the giant hedgehog said, its voice echoing in the farmer’s mind. “In return, I will grant you anything you desire. All you have to do is caress the statue’s head and say the prayer. There are two kinds of prayers—one to begin your wish, and the other to stop it. Memorize the words, for they will hold great power.” The hedgehog’s presence felt both comforting and magical, as if this strange encounter held the key to the farmer’s dreams.
The next morning, the farmer couldn’t shake the feeling of the dream, so he shared it with his wife. Intrigued and skeptical, they decided to test the hedgehog’s offer. The farmer carefully took the statue and, as instructed, gently caressed its head. With a whisper of hesitation, he said the first prayer, asking for rice. To his amazement, the statue began to tremble, and from its mouth, rice began to pour out, flowing endlessly onto the floor. The farmer and his wife watched in awe as the rice continued to spill, as if there was no end to the bounty.
Panicking slightly, the farmer quickly said the second prayer to stop the flow of rice. Miraculously, the rice ceased pouring. The farmer, heart pounding with excitement, made another wish, this time asking for jewelry and other items they had long dreamed of but could never afford. In an instant, their modest home was filled with treasures—gold, jewels, and fine fabrics. The farmer and his wife looked at each other in disbelief, their eyes wide with amazement. In mere moments, they had gone from poor to incredibly rich, and all because of the mysterious hedgehog statue.
The farmer and his wife, grateful for their newfound wealth, were determined to share their good fortune with their neighbors. They gave away rice, jewelry, and other valuable items to help those in need. Word quickly spread through the village of their generosity, and many people were touched by the kindness of the once-poor couple. However, not everyone was pleased. One neighbor, a man known for his jealousy and greed, was not content with seeing others thrive while he lived in poverty. This man was a thief, and his envy drove him to an evil plan.
Obsessed with finding out how the farmers had become so wealthy, the thief spent days watching them closely. He learned of the magic hedgehog statue and its incredible powers. Filled with greed, he decided to steal it for himself. One night, when the farmer and his wife were asleep, the thief sneaked into their home and stole the statue. He quickly ran away with it, his heart racing with excitement over the wealth he hoped to claim.
As he fled into the forest, the thief began to feel the weight of the theft on his conscience. Exhausted from running, he stopped to catch his breath and take a drink. Remembering the magic powers of the statue, he thought it would be a good idea to use it for his own benefit. He caressed the statue's head and spoke the prayer, asking for water to quench his thirst. To his delight, water poured out of the statue’s mouth, flowing in a steady stream. The thief drank greedily, savoring the cool water as it refreshed him. He drank and drank, but after a while, he realized he didn’t know how to stop the flow of water.
In his panic, the thief tried to speak the second prayer to stop the flow, but he had forgotten the exact words. Desperate, he continued to watch as the water poured uncontrollably from the statue. It flooded the ground around him, and soon, the water began to rise. The thief’s fear grew as the water surrounded him, drowning the ground beneath his feet. People nearby heard the commotion and rushed to see what was happening. When they saw the growing flood, they ran in fear, knowing they had to escape the rising waters.
Within moments, the flood had turned into a small pond, which quickly expanded into a river. The thief, now trapped and unable to stop the water, was helpless as it continued to spread. The villagers, horrified by the sight, watched as the river grew larger, eventually flowing through the land where they had once lived. The once calm and peaceful village was now consumed by the flooding water, and the villagers named the river “Hedgehog River,” or "Sungai Landak," in remembrance of the magic statue that had caused the disaster. The thief’s greed had led to his downfall, and the river, a permanent reminder of his foolishness, continued to flow long after the thief had disappeared.
In this story, we learn that greed and the disregard of wisdom can bring about ruin. The humble and grateful farmer, who used his newfound wealth with generosity and shared it with others, was blessed with continued prosperity. On the other hand, the greedy thief, driven by his uncontrollable desires, ultimately faced disaster. His inability to manage his greed led to the flooding of the village, causing irreversible damage. This tale teaches us the importance of gratitude, using blessings wisely, and the dangers of letting unchecked greed guide our decisions. It reminds us that true wealth lies not in possessions, but in how we choose to use what we have for the greater good.
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