Simardan

Simardan: Kindness to Parents and Lessons from Disobedience

Edisi Bahasa Indonesi: Simardan

Folklore from North Sumatra

Simardan, an orphan from Hulu Tanjungbalai, Porsea, North Sumatra, once dreamed of discovering treasure near his home. The following morning, he ventured to the spot and unearthed priceless treasures—gold, jewelry, and antiques—that made him wealthy. He later traveled to Malaysia to sell them, returning after many years with wealth and marrying a noble's daughter.

Upon Simardan's return, his mother eagerly sought to embrace him, but he, embarrassed by her poverty, rejected her. As his mother prayed, a storm arose, wrecking Simardan's ship and transforming it into Simardan Island. His wife and servant, innocent in his mistreatment of his mother, became white monkeys.

Disowned by her son, Simardan's mother passed away on her way home, and she was buried at Hau Napitu, marked by a memorial. This tale focuses on disobedient children, featuring four characters in various settings. It utilizes a third-person perspective, Indonesian language, and symbolic places like Simardan Island and villages. Verbal irony arises when a loving mother turns vengeful, and a child fails to respect his parents.

Moral message: Respect your parents and avoid disobedience.

Simardan's narrative underscores the significance of honoring parental figures and avoiding disobedience. Tales often convey the importance of respect and kindness to parents, highlighting the adverse outcomes of disobedient behavior. Simardan's story reminds us that disobedience can lead to undesirable consequences, emphasizing the value of showing respect and affection to our parents.

The raging storm with large waves rolling