A long time ago, few people dared to sail along the Tulang Bawang River. The reason? A giant crocodile was said to lurk beneath its waters, waiting to attack anyone who crossed its path. The villagers believed the beast was cursed and would devour anyone who attempted to sail through the river.
Not far from the river, in a small village, lived a kind-hearted girl named Aminah. She was known for her beauty and obedience to her parents. One day, her mother and father asked her to deliver something to a neighboring village on the other side of the river.
“My daughter, please be careful,” her mother warned. “If you see the crocodile, row as fast as you can.”
“I understand, Mother. I will return safely, I promise,” Aminah replied, reassuring them before stepping into her sampan (a small wooden boat).
With steady hands, she paddled quietly, hoping not to disturb the river’s stillness. But unknown to her, the giant crocodile had already spotted her. Silently, the beast glided through the water, watching her every move. Suddenly, with terrifying speed, it lunged at the sampan, flipping it over.
Aminah let out a scream as she was thrown into the river. “Help! Somebody, please help me!” she cried before the waters swallowed her whole.
Darkness consumed her. When she finally regained consciousness, she found herself in a strange place—a dimly lit cave with walls glistening like gold. She slowly stood up, her heart pounding. As her eyes adjusted, she noticed something shining in the darkness. Stepping closer, she gasped. Piles of glittering jewelry, gold coins, and precious gems filled the cave.
Just then, a deep voice echoed through the chamber. “You may take the treasures, but in return, you must stay here forever.”
Aminah turned in fear and saw the enormous crocodile staring at her. She trembled but remained still.
“Please don’t be afraid,” the creature said. “I am not a real crocodile. I was once a man—a pirate, cursed by a powerful witch for my greed. I stole treasures from innocent people, and as punishment, I was turned into this form. Now, I guard these riches in this cave.”
Aminah’s mind raced. She needed to escape, but how? Then, an idea formed.
“How do you travel between the cave and the river?” she asked, keeping her voice calm.
“There is a hidden tunnel that leads to the riverbank,” the crocodile admitted, not realizing his mistake.
Aminah nodded, pretending to accept her fate. But that night, while the crocodile was asleep, she carefully gathered as many jewels as she could carry and quietly made her way through the tunnel.
When she emerged on the riverside, she ran toward the village, calling for help. The villagers, overjoyed to see her alive, gathered around, eager to hear her tale.
Aminah’s parents embraced her with tears of relief. Over time, they sold the treasures and shared the wealth with their fellow villagers. No one in the village suffered from poverty again, and the legend of Aminah and the cursed crocodile was passed down for generations.
And as for the pirate crocodile? Some say it still lurks in the depths of the Tulang Bawang River, forever bound to its curse.
Moral Message
This story reminds us that wealth gained through wrongdoing carries a heavy price. While generosity can turn misfortune into something good, it does not erase the past. It also teaches us to be resourceful and courageous in difficult situations. By reflecting on this tale, we can learn that true prosperity comes not only from riches but from integrity and wisdom in our actions.
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