Long ago, in the land of Payakumbuh, West Sumatra, there lived a man named Bincik. He was not a man of great stature, but what he lacked in height, he made up for in strength. However, his strength was not used for noble deeds. Instead, Bincik had earned a reputation as a gambler and a robber.
Whenever there was a game of chance, Bincik was the first to join, betting away his wealth in the hopes of winning more. Some days, luck favored him, and he returned home with gold in his pockets. Other days, he lost everything. And when he lost, he turned to a darker path—he and his band of thieves would rob villages to recover what he had squandered.
Though he stole, he never harmed his own village. He and his men traveled to far-off places, ensuring their own people were safe from their crimes. But word of their deeds spread, and soon, neighboring villages feared and despised them. Trade routes were closed, alliances were severed, and Bincik's village suffered the consequences of his greed.
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A Son’s Love and a Betrayal
As the people grew poorer, they sought a solution. The village elders came together and turned to Bincik’s aging parents, pleading with them to stop their son before it was too late.
Bincik, despite his misdeeds, loved his parents dearly. When they begged him to abandon his criminal ways, he could not refuse them. With a heavy heart, he swore to leave behind his life of robbery.
But not all his companions agreed. The most ruthless among them, Brewok, had long envied Bincik’s position as their leader. Seeing Bincik’s resolve to change, Brewok saw an opportunity. He convinced the other robbers that Bincik had betrayed them and that the only way forward was to eliminate him.
One fateful night, they lured Bincik into the depths of the jungle. When he least expected it, they attacked. Though Bincik fought valiantly, he was outnumbered. The traitors threw his wounded body into a deep canyon, convinced he would never rise again.
The Spirit’s Bargain
For days, Bincik lay at the bottom of the canyon, drifting between life and death. His body was battered, his strength drained. Then, on the brink of oblivion, he saw a shadowy figure standing over him.
"You still wish to live?" the voice echoed through the canyon.
With the last of his strength, Bincik whispered, "Help me... and I will do whatever you ask."
The figure stepped closer, revealing itself to be an ancient spirit.
"Very well," the spirit said. "I shall grant you strength beyond mortal limits. But in return, you must aid me. My daughter is trapped within a cave, its entrance sealed by heavy stones. Free her, and your life shall be yours again."
Desperation overtook doubt. Bincik agreed.
In that instant, an immense power surged through his body. His wounds closed, his muscles strengthened, and a new energy burned within him. He climbed out of the canyon with ease and raced toward the cave the spirit had spoken of.
When he arrived, massive boulders blocked the entrance. But with his newfound strength, Bincik lifted them as if they were mere pebbles. The rocks tumbled away, revealing a dimly lit cavern within.
From the darkness, a beautiful young woman stepped forward. Her eyes, filled with sorrow and gratitude, met Bincik’s. She was no spirit, but a human maiden, imprisoned by forces beyond her control.
Bincik knew at that moment—he had not only saved her, but he had found his destiny.
Love, Loss, and Vengeance
The woman, grateful for her freedom, stayed by Bincik’s side. Over time, their bond grew into love, and they chose to make the cave their home. Ngalau si Bincik, as it would later be called, became a place of warmth, laughter, and happiness.
Yet, despite his newfound peace, Bincik’s heart remained restless. He longed to see his parents again.
One day, he bid his wife farewell and journeyed back to his village—only to find it in ruin.
In his absence, Brewok and his men had continued their rampage, growing bolder and more ruthless. No longer content with robbing other villages, they turned on their own people. The village, once prosperous, was now a shadow of its former self.
And the worst blow of all—his parents were gone.
Bincik learned that Brewok had taken everything from him. In his lust for power, he had murdered Bincik’s parents, ensuring there would be no one left to challenge his rule.
Bincik’s grief turned to fury.
With his newfound strength, he hunted down Brewok and his men, one by one. The battle was swift and merciless. Each robber fell before Bincik’s might.
At last, only Brewok remained. The two former brothers-in-arms clashed in a final duel, but Brewok was no match for the warrior Bincik had become.
With a final blow, Bincik ended the man who had destroyed his village.
A Warrior’s Final Stand
Peace returned, but only briefly.
Soon after, the Dutch arrived, seeking to conquer the land. Knowing the villagers stood no chance against such a powerful enemy, Bincik led them into battle. With his supernatural strength, he struck down invaders by the dozens, becoming a symbol of resistance and hope.
But the Dutch would not be defeated so easily. Learning of Bincik’s power, they devised a plan. With overwhelming force, they attacked his village and the surrounding forests, leaving no place for him to hide.
They searched for him in his home, in the jungle, and in the cave where he had once found love. But Bincik had vanished.
To this day, no one knows what became of him.
Some say he perished in battle, his body buried beneath the ashes of his burning village. Others believe he escaped, living out his days in secrecy. And some whisper that he still roams the land, waiting for the time to rise again.
But one thing remains certain—his cave still stands, a silent monument to the man who had once been a sinner, a savior, and a legend.
And thus, the place came to be known as Ngalau si Bincik—the Cave of Bincik.
*Ngalau = cave
Moral Lessons
🔸 Redemption is always possible – No matter how dark one’s past, change is within reach. Bincik transformed from a thief into a hero, proving that one's past does not define their future.
🔸 The consequences of greed and betrayal – Brewok’s lust for power led to his downfall, showing that betrayal only brings destruction.
🔸 Love can inspire change – Bincik’s love for his parents and his wife guided him toward a better path.
🔸 Courage and sacrifice – Bincik’s final stand against the Dutch reflects the spirit of resilience that defines the people of Sumatra.
🔸 Legends live on – Even if a hero disappears, their deeds shape history. Bincik’s tale remains, inspiring generations to come.
