The origin of Wire River/The Legend of Golden Wire
A long time ago, in the tranquil town of Sintang, West Kalimantan, there lived a humble fisherman with his small family. He as a man of simplicity, spending his days casting his fishing rod into the wide river that flowed near his wooden house. Despite his tireless efforts, his catch was always modest, as he could not afford a fishing net. Yet, he remained hopeful, his family sustained by the little he could bring home.
One serene morning, the fisherman prepared his sampan, a small traditional boat, and set out to the river. The first rays of the sun painted the water gold, filling him with a sense of optimism. As he paddled to his usual fishing spot, he whispered a prayer for a better catch.
With a steady hand, he cast his line and waited. Minutes stretched into hours, but the river remained silent. Undeterred, he changed his bait and cast the line again. The stillness of the river was only broken by the distant chirping of birds. Time seemed to slow down, and doubt began to creep into his heart.
Finally, just as he was about to give up, the fishing rod jerked violently.
“Aha! At last!
” he exclaimed, his heart racing.
The struggle began. The string was taut, resisting his every pull. "This must be the biggest fish I’ve ever caught," he thought, envisioning the wealth it could bring. The thought of selling such a prized catch fueled his determination. He gritted his teeth and pulled with all his might, but the line wouldn't budge.
Exhausted, the fisherman rested for a while, the sun now setting and casting an amber glow on the river. "This fish must be extraordinary," he muttered, steeling himself for another attempt.
With a deep breath, he counted to three and gave a final, mighty pull. To his astonishment, there was no fish on the hook. Instead, a glimmering wire of pure gold dangled from his line.
For a moment, he was speechless. Then, joy overtook him. “Gold! This is better than any fish!”
He began pulling the golden wire into his sampan, his excitement growing with each handful. Soon, the boat brimmed with the gleaming wire. As he worked, a voice echoed across the water, soft but commanding.
“Enough. Don’t take more than you need.”
Startled, the fisherman paused and looked around. The river was empty, save for his little sampan. Shrugging off the voice, he continued pulling the wire. The golden thread seemed endless, coiling around him like a treasure waiting to be claimed.
“Enough! Stop now!” the voice returned, louder and firmer this time.
“No! I need more. I deserve this!” he shouted back, his greed blinding him to the warning.
He yanked at the wire with renewed fervor, ignoring the strain it placed on his boat. The sampan, now dangerously overloaded, creaked and tilted. Water seeped in, but the fisherman paid no heed, his mind consumed by visions of riches.
Suddenly, the river exacted its revenge. With a final, mournful groan, the sampan tipped over, and the fisherman was thrown into the cold embrace of the water. The golden wire sank quickly, disappearing into the depths, as if reclaimed by the river itself.
Floundering in the current, the fisherman swam desperately to the shore, coughing and gasping for air. Soaked and shivering, he collapsed on the riverbank, staring at the now-calm waters.
“I was a fool,” he whispered, tears mingling with the river's spray. “I had enough, but I wanted more.”
News of the fisherman’s encounter spread quickly through the village. People marveled at the tale but also heeded its warning. They named the river Sungai Kawat (Wire River) in memory of the golden wire and the lesson it carried.
From that day forward, the fisherman lived humbly, grateful for each fish he caught. His story became a cautionary tale, reminding everyone of the dangers of greed and the importance of contentment.
And so, the river flowed on, its waters whispering the timeless lesson: to honor what you have and respect the boundaries of nature’s gifts.
Consequences of Greed: A Lesson from the Legend of Wire River
The legend of the Wire River carries a timeless moral lesson about the dangers of greed and the value of gratitude. Through the story of the fisherman who succumbed to the allure of endless wealth, we are reminded that unchecked greed blinds us to reason, warnings, and the limits of nature.
The fisherman, driven by the desire to take more gold despite repeated warnings, lost not only the treasures he sought but also his boat, his livelihood, and his sense of balance with the river that had sustained him. His downfall illustrates that greed often leads to self-destruction, taking away not only what we desire but also what we already have.
This tale encourages us to practice gratitude and contentment—to recognize the blessings in our lives instead of constantly seeking more. It also teaches us the importance of listening to wisdom and heeding cautionary advice, as ignoring them can lead to irreversible consequences.
Lastly, the story calls for a respectful relationship with nature and its resources. The fisherman's disregard for the voice of the river symbolizes humanity's tendency to exploit nature without considering its limits. This cautionary tale serves as a reminder to balance our ambitions with humility and respect, ensuring we live harmoniously with the world around us.
The legend of the Wire River isn’t just about one man’s mistake; it’s a reflection of the choices we all face when greed tempts us to overstep our bounds.
.jpg)
Please Read More Stories!
No comments:
Post a Comment