The n’Daung Snake’s Secret: A Legend of Bravery and Promise from the Highlands of Bengkulu
A magical tale of courage, love, and ancient secrets wrapped in the mists of a mountain.
Legenda Ular n'Daung >> Edisi Indonesia
Once upon a time, nestled in the misty highlands of Bengkulu, where the morning fog dances between cinnamon trees and the wind carries whispers of ancient tales, there lived a humble widow with her three daughters. Their home stood on the edge of a forest that was said to hold secrets—echoes of spirits, hidden springs, and forgotten paths.
Each of the daughters was blessed with outer beauty, as radiant as the sunrise over Mount Kaba. Yet, as the elders in the village often said, true beauty blooms from within—and in this, the sisters were not the same.
The eldest and middle daughters, though lovely in appearance, were vain and idle. They spent their days gazing into mirrors, weaving flowers into their hair, and dreaming of a wealthy suitor who would carry them away to a life of luxury. They scoffed at hard work and often left their chores half-done, if touched at all.
But the youngest daughter, known to some as Melati, was different. She was as gentle as dew on a lotus leaf and as steady as the flowing river. From dawn to dusk, she worked tirelessly—sweeping the bamboo floor, tending their little garden, and watching over her ailing mother with quiet devotion. While her sisters turned away from hardship, Melati embraced it with grace.
The villagers often spoke of her with admiration, saying, “She is the light in that humble house.”
Little did they know, that very light would soon be tested—by a journey no ordinary girl would dare take, and by a legend that slept atop a mountain where clouds never parted.
One fateful day, their beloved mother fell gravely ill. Her breath grew shallow, and her eyes lost their light. Desperate for hope, the family turned to an old village healer, who whispered of a rare and powerful cure—a sacred plant with magical leaves.
But this was no ordinary herb. It could only reveal its healing powers if boiled over a magical fire—one that flickered with ancient spells. Both the fire and the leaves were said to exist only at the summit of Mythical Mountain—a towering peak cloaked in swirling clouds and guarded by a mystical being of legend. No one who dared the journey had ever returned.
This guardian was no ordinary creature—it was the n'Daung Snake, a powerful serpent said to possess ancient wisdom and a gaze that saw straight into one's soul. Only those with a pure heart and sincere intentions could approach it without harm.
When the mother, weak and trembling, asked her daughters to climb the mountain and seek the cure, the eldest scoffed.
"Climb a mountain for some leaves? Let the youngest go."
The middle daughter turned away.
"I won’t risk meeting a serpent just for old stories."
And so, it was the youngest daughter who stepped forward, her eyes steady though her hands trembled. Her love for her mother was stronger than her fear.
“I will go, Mother,” she said softly, kneeling beside the old woman. “I’ll find the leaves and bring back the magical fire for you.”
Though brave in words, her heart thudded in her chest. The stories of the n’Daung Snake echoed in her mind—its glimmering scales, its powerful magic, and the way it guarded Mythical Mountain with a watchful eye. But still, she packed a small bundle of rice, a piece of cloth scented with her mother’s perfume, and began her journey.
She climbed for days, through whispering bamboo forests and misty cliffs. Wind howled at night, and the stars blinked like tiny guides. At last, she reached a shadowy cave nestled between two flowering trees at the peak of the mountain.
Inside the cave, glowing gently in the dim light, were the sacred leaves—their edges shimmering like silver threads under moonlight. Beside them danced the magical fire, a flickering flame of blue and gold that gave no smoke, only warmth and wonder.
Just as the girl stepped forward to gather them, the earth gave a sudden tremble.
Hissss...
A low, ancient sound echoed through the stone walls, like wind rustling through centuries of forgotten memories.
Then, from the shadows, a large figure emerged.
In the blink of an eye, the n’Daung Snake was in front of her—towering, majestic, and unlike any creature she had seen. His eyes gleamed like polished jade, and golden patterns coiled across his scales like the calligraphy of forgotten legends.
“Who are you, young one? What brings you to my sacred cave?” the snake asked—not with a growl, but with a voice both calm and wise.
The girl trembled, but she was more surprised than afraid. For a creature so feared, the n’Daung Snake spoke with gentleness and dignity.
Gathering her courage, she bowed and spoke: “My name is Melati. I came for my mother—she is very ill. I ask only for the sacred leaves and the fire to cure her. I have nothing else to offer but my honesty.”
The snake studied her in silence for a long moment. Then, he spoke again, his voice soft but firm.
“You may take them...” he said, “but in return, you must promise to be my bride. Do you agree?”
Melati’s heart skipped. She hadn’t expected such a request. But she didn’t hesitate.
“I agree,” she said, her voice steady with love and determination. “If that is the price, then so be it.”
Moved by her sincerity, the n’Daung Snake lowered his head. A torch, already lit by the magical fire, floated gently toward her, and the glowing leaves folded themselves into a satchel of woven mist.
With tears in her eyes, she took them and ran down the mountain. Her mother was cured the very next day, her color returning, her breath strong again.
But a promise is a promise.
One quiet evening, without a word to anyone, Melati packed her things and returned to the mountain. As twilight cloaked the forest in purples and golds, she entered the cave once more.
To her surprise, the cave glowed differently now—warmer, almost inviting. And waiting inside was not a serpent, but a handsome young man dressed in royal robes.
“Don’t be afraid,” he said, smiling kindly. “My name is Prince Abdul Rahman Alamsjah. My uncle cursed me long ago, turning me into a snake during the day.”
Melati gasped, understanding everything at once.
“My uncle feared I would become a just king and tried to keep me hidden forever... until you came.”
Meanwhile, down in the village, Melati’s mother grew worried. Her youngest daughter had vanished without a word. With growing concern and guilt, she set off to find her—accompanied, reluctantly, by the older daughters. Though they did not admit it, curiosity stirred in their hearts… especially about the mysterious n’Daung Snake.
After days of searching, they reached the mountain and climbed through twilight mist until they arrived at the sacred cave. Evening had already blanketed the sky in hues of violet and gold.
There, they saw something that left them stunned.
Inside the cave stood Melati, not alone, but beside a handsome young man whose presence seemed to glow with noble grace. When they learned the man was Prince Abdul Rahman Alamsjah, the very same being once known as the n’Daung Snake, the sisters’ eyes burned—not with wonder, but jealousy.
“How could she, the youngest, win the heart of a prince?” they muttered among themselves.
Driven by envy, they crept into the cave later that night and discovered the snake skin—coiled and folded like a silken robe, shimmering faintly with ancient magic.
“If we burn this,” whispered the eldest, “he will lose his power. Maybe he’ll turn back into a snake forever. Then he’ll forget her.”
So, they did. They tossed the enchanted skin into the fire.
But the flames didn’t hiss with doom—they roared with freedom.
A powerful light surged through the cave. The curse that had long bound the prince shattered like glass.
Prince Abdul Rahman Alamsjah stood taller, brighter than before. His voice rang clear and strong as he turned to the trembling sisters.
“You have burned my past,” he said calmly, “but in doing so, you have set me free.”
Realizing what they had done, the sisters hung their heads in shame. Their plan had failed—and their jealousy laid bare.
The prince turned to Melati with a soft smile. “Come with me to the palace, my beloved. You have given me more than freedom—you gave me love without conditions.”
He also turned to her mother and bowed respectfully. “Your daughter’s heart healed more than a curse. Please, come and live with us. You shall want for nothing.”
And so, Melati, her mother, and Prince Abdul Rahman Alamsjah returned to the kingdom, where he reclaimed his rightful throne and imprisoned the uncle who had wronged him.
As for the two older sisters, they could not bear the shame of their actions. They chose to remain in the cave, far from the palace gates. Some say they spent their days reflecting, hoping that one day, they too might earn redemption.
💖 Moral Message: Be Kind, Be Brave, and Keep Your Promise
This story teaches us that being kind and keeping our promises is very important.
Melati, the youngest daughter, was brave and honest even though she was scared. She helped her mother out of great love and never broke her promise to the n'Daung Snake.
Her older sisters felt jealous and tried to cheat, but their plan failed. In the end, something good came out of it. This shows us that jealousy can bring harm, but honesty and a sincere heart can open the path to happiness.
📝 Reflective Note:
In classic stories like this, we sometimes find that love is asked for as a condition or a promise. This can make us wonder: Can true love really be traded or demanded?
It’s important to remember that tales like this often use symbols. The n’Daung Snake may not simply represent someone asking for love, but rather a life trial—bringing a difficult choice, testing the heart.
Melati didn’t love him because he asked, but because she saw the goodness hidden behind a frightening form. She chose with awareness and sincerity, not because of force.
💡 From this, we learn that love born from courage, sincerity, and mutual respect is far more valuable than love that is bought or bargained for. 🌱
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