A Mysterious Catch
Long ago, in a fertile valley, there lived a poor young orphan who survived by farming and fishing in the nearby river. The land provided crops, while the river was rich with fish, ensuring that he never went hungry.
One afternoon, after tending to his fields, he went to the river to fish as he always did. However, despite hours of waiting, he caught nothing—an unusual occurrence that had never happened before. Just as he was about to give up and reel in his line, the fishing rod suddenly jerked. He pulled it up and, to his surprise, a dazzling golden fish hung from the hook, shimmering in the fading sunlight.
Delighted by his rare catch, the young man rushed home, eager to cook his meal.
The Mysterious Woman
At home, he placed the golden fish in a container and went outside to gather firewood. When he returned, he was shocked to find the fish missing. Instead, several pieces of gold lay where the fish had been. Confused, he turned around—only to find a breathtakingly beautiful woman standing in his house.
"Who are you? How did you get in here?" he asked in astonishment.
The woman smiled softly. "I am the fish you caught, and those gold pieces are the scales I left behind."
The Oath That Must Not Be Broken
The young man, captivated by her beauty and kindness, fell to his knees. "Will you be my wife?" he asked shyly.
The woman hesitated for a moment before replying, "I will marry you, but on one condition—you must never reveal my true origin to anyone."
Without hesitation, the young man agreed. Soon, they were married, and their life was filled with happiness and prosperity. The gold she left behind allowed them to build a better home, and over time, they were blessed with a son, whom they named Samosir.
The Naughty Son and the Broken Oath
As Samosir grew older, he became a mischievous and stubborn child, often ignoring his parents' instructions. His mother frequently sent him to bring meals to his father in the fields, but he would refuse or take too long.
One day, after much persistence from his mother, Samosir reluctantly agreed to take his father’s lunch. However, on the way, he became hungry. Unable to resist, he unwrapped the meal and ate it, leaving only the fish bones behind.
When he finally reached his father, he handed him the food package. The farmer, exhausted from working, eagerly opened it—only to find nothing but fish bones.
"Samosir! Where is my meal? Have you eaten it?" the father shouted in anger.
"I'm sorry, Father. I was very hungry," Samosir admitted fearfully.
Furious, the father lost control and slapped the boy. In his anger, he shouted, "You're nothing but a fish’s son!"
Samosir’s eyes widened in shock. Tears welled up as he ran home to his mother.
"Mother! Is it true? Am I really the son of a fish?" he cried.
His mother’s face paled, and her hands trembled. She realized her husband had broken his oath. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she embraced her son.
"Your father has broken his promise," she whispered sorrowfully. "Now, I must return to where I belong."
The Great Flood
At that moment, the sky darkened, thunder roared, and rain began to pour heavily. The earth trembled beneath them. Samosir and his mother vanished without a trace, and from the spot where they stood, water gushed forth.
The river swelled, flooding the valley. The once-fertile land was submerged, forming a vast lake. The young man, overcome with regret, tried to escape but was swallowed by the rising waters, disappearing into the depths.
From that day on, the lake was called Lake Tuba, from the word tuba, meaning “ungrateful” or “without goodness in return.” Over time, people came to know it as Lake Toba, and in the center of the lake, an island formed—named Samosir Island, in memory of the lost child.
Moral Lessons: The Weight of Promises
The story of The Fish’s Oath teaches a powerful lesson about the importance of honoring promises. The young man vowed never to reveal his wife’s true origin, yet in a moment of anger, he broke his word. The consequences were irreversible, leading to the loss of his family and the destruction of his home.
This legend reminds us that words carry great power, and breaking a promise can have far-reaching consequences—not only for ourselves but for those we love. Trust and integrity must be upheld, for once broken, they may never be restored.
Did You Know?
Lake Toba (Danau Toba), Indonesia’s largest lake and the world’s biggest volcanic lake, was formed by a massive supervolcanic eruption around 69,000–77,000 years ago. This cataclysmic event, rated at VEI 8, dramatically altered Earth's climate and left behind the vast caldera we see today.
Lake Toba: Where Science Meets Folklore
Lake Toba is not just a geological marvel but also a cultural treasure. While science traces its origins to one of Earth's most powerful volcanic eruptions, local folklore tells a different tale—a story of love, betrayal, and transformation. According to legend, the lake emerged from the broken oath of a fisherman and his mysterious wife, revealing the mystical origins of Samosir Island.
This blend of science and storytelling showcases the human desire to understand nature, weaving together history, myth, and the enduring spirit of discovery.
