The Shining Stick: A Tale of Pride, Greed, and the Price of Forgotten Roots
Folklore from Bangka Belitung
Once upon a time, in a humble village on the island of Belitung, there lived a very poor family. The father worked tirelessly for a living, but did not own his own land. Instead, he worked on the neighboring fields, harvesting crops for others in exchange for small wages. His wife, though kind-hearted, was burdened with the difficulties of life, and their son, who was just entering his youth, was hardworking and obedient. Despite the family’s poverty, they were content, for they shared their love and resources in abundance.
One day, the father set out to the jungle in search of firewood. He had been walking through the thick woods all morning, searching desperately for fallen branches, but as the sun began to set, he still had not found enough. His body was tired, his feet sore, and his hopes were running low. He decided that he would have to return home empty-handed and come back the next day to continue his search.
As he walked back along the narrow jungle path, something unusual caught his eye. Amidst the dull leaves and dry twigs, there was a stick that seemed to be glowing, radiating a soft, golden light. Intrigued, the father bent down and carefully picked up the mysterious stick. He couldn’t explain why, but something about it felt special. As he wiped the dirt off with his shirt, he was astonished to discover that sparkling diamonds were embedded into the stick’s surface.
Overwhelmed with wonder, the father decided to bring the stick home to his family. He couldn't wait to show his wife and son what he had found. When he arrived, he eagerly presented the gleaming stick to them. The family gathered around, their eyes wide with amazement at the discovery.
"Father, this is incredible!" the son exclaimed. "We could sell this stick, and with the money, we could buy our own land. We could finally have a field of our own."
The father, though excited by the thought, was uncertain. "But where can we sell it? Who would want to buy this stick?" he asked.
"Don’t worry, Father," the son reassured him. "I will sail to the big city and find someone who will pay a high price for it."
The mother prepared food for her son, packing him supplies for his long journey. She told him to be careful and to return with a lot of money. The son promised to bring back wealth that would change their lives forever.
He boarded a large ship, having little money of his own, and worked on the vessel during its long voyage. The journey took many months, sailing across vast seas and navigating unpredictable winds. Finally, the ship reached a bustling city, where the son disembarked and began his search for a buyer for the shining stick.
He approached many people, hoping for a good deal, but each offer was less than he had hoped. Despite the stick’s obvious beauty, no one seemed willing to pay the extravagant price he desired. The son became frustrated. He was determined to sell the stick for a fortune.
One day, a wealthy merchant, known throughout the city for his vast fortune and keen eye for valuable goods, heard about the beautiful stick. Intrigued, the merchant sought out the son. Upon seeing the stick, he was immediately captivated. It was unlike anything he had ever seen before. The merchant knew that the son wanted a high price, but instead of bargaining, he offered the young man something he couldn’t refuse—a large sum of money and, even more remarkably, a ship of his own.
The son, overwhelmed with joy, accepted the merchant’s offer. He was now a rich man. He spent some time in the city, enjoying his newfound wealth. It wasn’t long before he met a beautiful woman, and they soon fell in love. After some time, they married, and the son felt that he was now living the life he had always dreamed of.
With his wife by his side, the son set sail once again, this time with the intention of returning home to Belitung. His parents, having heard word of their son’s success, eagerly awaited his return, hoping to reunite with him. They had heard of his great wealth and could not wait to see him once again.
When the ship finally arrived at the village, the parents rushed to the shore, calling out to their son. The son’s wife, curious, asked, "Who are those people calling out to you? Why do they know your name?"
The son’s face flushed with embarrassment. His parents, though they had once been poor, were now elderly and frail, their clothes worn and tattered. He felt ashamed of their humble appearance and the way they looked in front of his new wife.
“I don’t know them,” the son lied, his voice cold and dismissive. “Guards! Tell them to leave! This is not the place for them!”
His words stung his parents deeply. They stood in silence, tears filling their eyes, unable to believe the cruel rejection they had just experienced. The mother, heartbroken, turned to God in prayer.
"Dear God," she prayed, "Is he really my son? If he is truly my son, please punish him. He has broken his promise to us. He has turned his back on us and refuses to recognize us as his parents."
God heard her prayer. In an instant, the skies darkened, and a fierce storm suddenly erupted, tossing the ship about like a fragile toy. Rain fell in torrents, and the sea became wild and uncontrollable. The ship, once steady and proud, was thrown off balance and began to capsize.
As quickly as the storm began, it ceased, leaving behind a clear sky and calm waters. But the ship had not survived. The vessel had been turned upside down, and in its place, a new landmass had appeared, formed from the wreckage of the ship.
People who later visited the island named it Pulau Kapal, or Ship Island, after the wreck that had created it. Some say that the island still carries the echoes of the son’s greed and the mother’s prayer, a reminder of how pride and rejection can change a person’s fate.
Moral of the story:
This tale teaches the value of humility and respect for one’s roots. The son, blinded by wealth and pride, forgets the family who had cared for him. His arrogance leads to his downfall, showing that wealth and status can never replace love and respect for one’s family. It reminds us that no matter how far we go, we must never forget where we come from, for it is in our humble beginnings that we learn the most valuable lessons.
