A Fisherman’s Life
Once upon a time in South Kalimantan, there lived a humble fisherman and his family. He had a kind and loving wife, and together they raised a bright, cheerful son. The fisherman spent his days rowing his small sampan along the river, casting his net in search of fish to provide for his family.
But one fateful day, no matter how many times he threw his net, he caught nothing. This puzzled him greatly. Where had all the fish gone?
Determined, he cast his net once more. This time, he felt something heavy. His heart leaped with hope—perhaps it was a great catch! But when he pulled the net out of the water, he was met with disappointment. Instead of fish, there lay a single large egg, smooth and glistening under the sun. Confused, he threw the egg back into the river and tried again.
Yet, the same thing happened. No fish, only another identical egg. He threw it away again, unwilling to return home empty-handed. But when he cast his net for the third time, he once again found the same egg inside.
Tired and frustrated, the fisherman decided to take the egg home.
The Forbidden Meal
When he arrived, he told his wife about his strange discovery. Since they had nothing else to eat, he asked her to boil the egg for their supper.
That night, as the egg cooked, a strange aroma filled the air. It smelled richer than any food they had ever eaten. When it was ready, they shared the egg, enjoying its surprisingly delicious taste.
Meanwhile, their son was fast asleep. They left the remaining portion of the egg on the plate, intending to save it for him in the morning.
As the night passed, something unnatural began to happen. The fisherman and his wife tossed and turned in their sleep, feeling their bodies grow hot and restless. When dawn arrived, they awoke to a horrifying sight—red scales covered their skin, their hands had transformed into claws, and long tails swayed behind them. They had turned into dragons!
Panicked, they rushed outside and instinctively ran toward the river. There, in the misty morning light, a massive white dragon emerged from the water, its piercing eyes filled with amusement.
The Curse of the White Dragon
"Ha ha ha!" the white dragon laughed. "You ate the egg, didn’t you? Now you are like me!"
The fisherman’s heart pounded with rage and fear. "What have you done to us?" he roared.
The white dragon smirked. "For years, you have taken the fish from this river—my food. I grew tired of it. So, I placed my enchanted egg in your net, knowing that whoever eats it will become a dragon. Now, you can no longer live among humans."
The fisherman clenched his claws in anger. He had never meant harm; he was only trying to feed his family. But there was no time for regret. He suddenly thought of his son—what if he had already eaten the remaining egg?
"Go home and stop our son from eating the egg!" he urged his wife. "I will fight this monster!"
His wife nodded and immediately rushed back to their home, while the fisherman prepared to battle the white dragon.
A Mother's Warning
When the fisherman's wife arrived, she found their son awake, crying in confusion. He had searched everywhere for his parents but had instead come face-to-face with a terrifying red dragon.
"Stay back!" he whimpered.
"My son, don’t be afraid!" she pleaded. "It’s me, your mother. Your father and I have been cursed—we have become dragons! Please, listen carefully. Do not eat the egg! If you do, you will become a dragon too."
The boy hesitated but slowly began to believe her. His mother’s voice was filled with love, even if her form had changed.
She continued urgently, "Your father is fighting the white dragon right now. Go to the river and watch. If the water turns white, it means we have won. But if it turns red… it means we have lost."
With those final words, she turned and disappeared into the misty dawn, back to the battle.
The Fate of the Dragons
The boy ran to the river’s edge and waited. Days passed, and he remained by the shore, staring at the water with anxious eyes. Then, at last, the river’s surface began to change color.
It turned white.
Moments later, two dragons swam toward the riverbank. It was his parents.
The father, now a mighty red dragon, spoke with sorrow in his voice. "My son, we have defeated the white dragon, but we can never return to our human forms. This river is our home now."
Tears filled the boy’s eyes. "Will I ever see you again?"
His mother gently responded, "Do not be sad. We will always be here, watching over you. Whenever the river flows, know that we are near."
With those final words, the two dragons swam back into the depths, disappearing forever beneath the waves.
The Legend Lives On
To this day, the people of Kalimantan believe that dragons still dwell in the rivers, their presence hidden beneath the water’s surface. The Dayak people tell stories of how, when a dragon emerges, the skies grow dark, the rain pours heavily, and the rivers overflow, bringing great floods to the land.
And somewhere, deep beneath the rushing currents, the red dragons continue to watch over the land, protecting the legacy of their son and the people they once called family.
The story carries several moral lessons:
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Respect for Nature and Its Balance – The white dragon cursed the fisherman because he overused the river’s resources. This teaches the importance of sustainability and respecting nature, rather than exploiting it without considering the consequences.
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Actions Have Consequences – The fisherman’s decision to eat the mysterious egg led to an irreversible transformation. This reflects how every action we take, even seemingly small ones, can have long-lasting effects on our lives.
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Parental Love and Sacrifice – Despite their transformation, the fisherman and his wife’s first thought was for their child’s well-being. Their love remained strong, and they sacrificed their human lives to protect him. This highlights the deep, unconditional love parents have for their children.
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The Power of Caution and Obedience – The boy listened to his mother’s warning and avoided eating the egg, which saved him from the same fate. This emphasizes the importance of heeding the wisdom of elders and being cautious when faced with unknown situations.
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Guardianship and Protection – Even after becoming dragons, the parents continued to watch over their son and the land. This teaches that love and responsibility do not end with transformation or change—they continue in different ways.
Overall, the story encourages wisdom, respect for nature, love, and responsibility in all our actions. 🌿🐉
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| Red and White Dragons |
