Putri Ular (The Snake Princess)

Shadows of Change: The Journey of the Snake Princess

Edisi Bahasa Indonesia: Putri Ular

Folklore from North Sumatra

In a kingdom in Simalungun, North Sumatra, lived a remarkably beautiful princess. One day, a young king from a neighboring kingdom fell in love with the princess's beauty. Desiring to marry her, the young king proposed, and the princess's father joyfully consented.

Approaching the wedding day, the king cautioned the princess to take care of herself. Each morning, she bathed in the palace pool accompanied by her attendants. One day, as she dreamt of her future with the young king, a dry branch blown by the wind injured her nose. Unaware of the injury, she requested a mirror from her attendant. To her surprise, her once-perfect nose now appeared slightly altered.

Fearing that her physical imperfection might lead the young king to seek another, and feeling she had failed to uphold her promise to her father, the princess, in despair, prayed for punishment. Thunder cracked the sky, signaling her prayers had been heard. Shortly after, scales appeared on her legs, extending to her chest.

The princess summoned her parents to the palace. The king and queen were shocked to see their daughter transformed into a large snake, capable only of extending her tongue and gazing sorrowfully at her parents. Despite their calls, the princess remained silent. Helpless, the king, queen, and attendants could only weep at their daughter's fate, now transformed into a snake.

Moral Message: True Beauty and Loyalty to Promises

The tale of the Snake Princess from the Simalungun tribe in North Sumatra imparts the importance of self-acceptance and not excessively judging based on physical appearance. The princess, burdened by impossibly high beauty standards, invoked punishment upon herself, feeling like a failure. This story emphasizes that genuine beauty emanates from within, transcending mere physical attributes. Moreover, the significance of honoring promises echoes through the narrative, as the princess believed she failed in caring for herself as pledged before the wedding.

Snake Princess