A long time ago, in a peaceful village along the banks of the Mahakam River in East Kalimantan, the villagers lived in harmony. Though they were not wealthy, they were content. They worked hard, tending to their rice fields and fishing in the river. Most importantly, they always helped one another, sharing what little they had.
However, among them was one family that stood apart—not because of kindness or generosity, but because of their cold-hearted nature. The head of this family was Pak Pesut, a man whose wealth was known far and wide. But instead of being admired, he was disliked for his stinginess. Unlike the other villagers who shared their food and helped neighbors in times of need, Pak Pesut never offered a grain of rice to anyone but himself and his family. His house, though grand, was unwelcoming. His wife and children followed his ways, never speaking to or helping the villagers. And so, Pak Pesut’s family lived in isolation, cut off from the warmth of the community.
The Long Drought
One year, disaster struck. A long and merciless drought scorched the land. The river levels dropped, and the rice fields dried up, cracking under the blazing sun. The villagers watched in despair as their crops withered. Without water, they could not grow food. Soon, hunger spread throughout the village.
Realizing that they could not survive much longer, the villagers held a meeting. They decided to search for a new home, somewhere with fresh water where they could rebuild their lives. They sent young men to explore the land, hoping to find a place where they could start anew.
After several weeks of searching, the young men returned with joyous news. They had found a place deep in the forest—a land blessed with a waterfall that provided clean, fresh water. There, they could grow rice again. Excited and hopeful, the villagers prepared to leave their homes behind and journey to this new land.
Pak Pesut’s Arrogance
Before they left, some villagers stopped by Pak Pesut’s house to inform him of their decision. Though he had never shown them kindness, they did not hate him. They wanted to give him a chance to join them.
But when they knocked on his door and told him about the waterfall, Pak Pesut scoffed.
"Why should I leave?" he said arrogantly. "I have plenty of rice stored in my house. My family will be fine without you!"
The villagers tried to reason with him, warning that the drought could last much longer than expected. But Pak Pesut refused to listen. In his pride, he believed that his wealth would protect him.
Seeing that their efforts were useless, the villagers left him behind. They traveled together to their new home, where they were welcomed by the sound of rushing water. With fresh land to farm and a river teeming with fish, they began rebuilding their lives.
The Fall of Pak Pesut
Back in the abandoned village, Pak Pesut and his family lived in comfort—at first. They feasted on their stored rice, ignoring the empty streets and the eerie silence that had settled over the village.
But as the weeks passed, their supplies dwindled. The rice, once abundant, grew scarce. Soon, they were down to their last portion.
One morning, as Pak Pesut’s wife was cooking their final pot of rice, there was a knock on the door. When Pak Pesut opened it, he found a beggar, an old man with a frail body and sorrowful eyes.
"Please, sir," the beggar pleaded. "I have not eaten for days. Just a small portion of rice… I beg you."
But Pak Pesut’s heart was as hard as stone. Instead of showing mercy, he shouted, "Go away! I have no food for beggars!" and slammed the door shut.
Fearing that the beggar might steal their last meal, Pak Pesut forced his family to eat immediately—even though the rice was still burning hot from the pot.
"But Father, the rice is too hot!" his son complained.
"I don’t care!" Pak Pesut snapped. "Eat now, or you may never eat again!"
His family hesitated, but under his command, they shoveled the steaming rice into their mouths. The heat scorched their throats and made them desperate for water.
A Terrible Curse
Gasping and coughing, they rushed toward the Mahakam River, desperate to quench their thirst. One by one, they leapt into the water, drinking greedily.
The beggar, who had watched everything in silence, suddenly raised his hands to the sky and whispered a prayer.
At that moment, something miraculous and terrifying happened.
Pak Pesut and his family began to change. Their arms melted into smooth fins, their legs fused together, and their bodies elongated, growing sleek and curved. Their skin turned gray, their mouths stretched into long snouts, and their eyes darkened, adapting to the water.
Within moments, they were no longer human—they had transformed into strange river creatures, resembling dolphins.
The beggar smiled sadly. "Let this be a lesson," he murmured. "A heart that refuses to share will be cursed to wander the waters, forever longing for kindness it never gave."
From that day on, the villagers who lived by the Mahakam River noticed new creatures swimming gracefully beneath the surface. They were neither dolphins nor ordinary fish, but something different—something born from greed and punishment.
The villagers named them Pesut, in memory of the stingy man who had refused to share his fortune.
Even today, the Pesut Mahakam, also known as the Irrawaddy dolphin, can be found swimming in the Mahakam River. The people of East Kalimantan believe they are the descendants of Pak Pesut and his family, forever bound to the waters as a reminder that greed leads to misfortune, while kindness brings blessings.
This legend teaches us that greed and selfishness lead to isolation and downfall, while generosity and kindness bring prosperity and harmony.
Pak Pesut’s refusal to share his wealth blinded him to the needs of his community. In their time of crisis, he turned them away—believing his riches would sustain him. But when hardship struck, he found himself alone, with no one left to help.
Had he chosen kindness over greed, he might have been saved. But his arrogance led to his eternal curse.
The story reminds us that compassion and generosity create strong bonds, ensuring that in times of need, help will always be returned. Meanwhile, those who live only for themselves may find themselves abandoned when they need others the most.
✨ A single act of kindness can ripple through a lifetime—never underestimate its power. ✨
