A long time ago, on the island of Bangka Belitung, there lived a humble husband and wife. They were poor but kind-hearted, and though they longed for a child, fate had yet to bless them with one. Every night, they prayed earnestly to God, hoping their wish would come true.
"Dear God, please grant us a child, even if he is no bigger than a little finger," the husband pleaded.
One day, their prayers were answered—the wife became pregnant! The couple rejoiced, eagerly awaiting the arrival of their child. However, when the baby was born, their joy turned into astonishment. Their son was indeed as small as a kelingking—a little finger!
The husband looked at his tiny son in disbelief, while the wife, though surprised, quickly smiled and held the baby close.
“Didn’t you ask for a child, no matter how small?” she reminded her husband. “This is our blessing. We must love him with all our hearts.”
The husband nodded. “You’re right. We shall name him Kelingking.”
A Child Unlike Any Other
As Kelingking grew, his size never changed—he remained small enough to fit in the palm of a hand. But despite his tiny stature, his appetite was enormous! He ate as much as a grown man, sometimes even more.
The couple struggled to provide enough food for their little son. The father, exhausted and frustrated, sighed one night.
“I don’t know how much longer we can do this,” he told his wife. “We barely have enough for ourselves.”
The wife hesitated but finally nodded. “What do you want to do?”
“I will take him to the forest. He must learn to survive on his own.”
Kelingking’s Strength
The next morning, the father took Kelingking deep into the jungle. He pointed to a massive tree, its trunk thick and its roots buried deep into the earth.
“Cut this tree down,” the father said, hoping to delay Kelingking long enough to leave him behind.
“Alright, Father!” Kelingking cheerfully replied.
To the father’s shock, Kelingking, small as he was, grabbed the axe and with a single swing—CRACK!—the great tree fell to the ground.
The father’s heart pounded. How could such a tiny child possess such strength? Before he could say anything, Kelingking beamed at him.
“Father, where would you like me to put this tree?”
The father stammered, unsure how to respond. He muttered something about putting it in the backyard and quickly excused himself. The moment Kelingking turned his back, the father ran home, convinced that his son would never find his way back.
But the next morning, as the father sat down for breakfast, a familiar voice called from outside.
“Father, I’m home! Where do you want the tree?”
The father nearly dropped his food. He rushed outside to see Kelingking standing proudly beside the enormous tree, grinning from ear to ear.
The Great Test
Still unwilling to accept the truth, the father devised another plan.
“Kelingking, I need a great stone from the mountain. Come with me.”
Kelingking eagerly followed his father up the mountain, where the father pointed to a boulder as large as their house.
“I need this stone,” the father said, expecting Kelingking to fail.
But, without hesitation, Kelingking clapped his hands, bent down, and—LIFTED the massive rock onto his shoulders!
The father gasped. This time, there was no denying it—his son was no ordinary child.
That night, as the father lay in bed, he reflected on his actions. How foolish I have been, he thought. I judged him by his size, but he is strong, kind, and willing to help. He is truly a gift.
When Kelingking returned, the father rushed to embrace him. “Forgive me, my son. I did not see your worth. You are more than your size.”
Kelingking smiled and nodded. “That’s alright, Father. Let’s work together from now on!”
From that day forward, the father and son worked as a team, using Kelingking’s incredible strength to build a better life. No longer struggling, they lived happily, proving that greatness is not measured by size, but by heart, courage, and determination.
🌱 Moral of the Story: True Worth is Not Measured by Size
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Strength Comes in Many Forms – Kelingking may have been small, but his power and determination were far greater than his appearance suggested. This teaches us not to judge others based on their physical attributes or limitations.
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Gratitude and Acceptance – The parents wished for a child, and their prayer was granted, yet the father struggled to accept Kelingking as he was. True happiness comes from appreciating what we have instead of focusing on what we lack.
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Family and Cooperation – Instead of rejecting each other, families should support and work together. The father only realized Kelingking’s true value when they started working as a team.
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Greatness Comes from Within – No matter how small or different someone may seem, their abilities and character define their true worth. Hard work, kindness, and perseverance make a person truly great.
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