The Deceitful King

Moral Dilemma: Loyalty's Price

Edisi bahasa Indonesia: Raja yang Culas

Folklore from Riau

Once upon a time in the kingdom of Tiangkerarasen, harmony and peace thrived under the wise rule of its king. He was blessed with several sons and daughters from a beautiful queen.

But this serenity was short-lived. One day, while riding his favorite horse, the king encountered a mesmerizing young maiden. After an introduction, he impulsively brought her back to the palace. Besides her beauty, the maiden possessed a gentle demeanor and refined speech. Smitten by her charm, the king married her, much to the dismay of the queen and his children. Despite their opposition, the king was infatuated.

Months passed, and the young bride became pregnant. The queen and her children grew increasingly resentful. Their animosity towards the king escalated, and his offspring dared to rebel. The situation weighed heavily on the king. Eventually, he devised a plan to rid himself of his young wife.

One day, he took her for a stroll in the woods, navigating a large river in a boat. While she was engrossed in the scenery, the king pushed her into the river. Startled and screaming for help, his wife found herself struggling in the water. The king’s heart was torn, but he sought to end the strained relationships with the queen and his children.

Downstream, a fisherman noticed the distressed woman and promptly rescued her—none other than the young wife of the King of Tiangkerarasen.

Years passed, and the son born to the young wife grew into adolescence, named Aji Bonar. He enjoyed spinning tops and fishing. One day, he decided to journey to the kingdom of Tiangkerarasen after hearing about the royal prince's fondness for spinning tops and betting. Aji Bonar challenged the prince to a match and won, claiming the bet's prized rooster. His victory intrigued the prince, leading to even higher stakes.

The wager continued repeatedly, escalating from small bets to the ultimate stake—a grand house with all its contents. Aji Bonar emerged victorious time and again. Despite the prince’s repeated losses, he remained undeterred, increasingly determined to defeat Aji Bonar’s spinning top.

One day, the prince gathered all the people of the kingdom in the arena for spinning tops, ensuring the presence of his father, the king. Addressing the gathered crowd, the prince proclaimed that on that very day, he would stake the entire kingdom and all its possessions against Aji Bonar. Should Aji lose, he must return all his winnings to the king. Conversely, if the king loses, he will cede the kingdom to Aji, who shall reign over us all. The king sought the citizens' opinions on this matter, and the citizens assented to the proposal.

The match began shortly after. The spectators cheered for their favored contestant. Aji Bonar's top spun rapidly, swiftly overpowering the prince's. By the end of the match, Aji Bonar was crowned as the new ruler.

Days later, accompanied by his royal entourage, he went to fetch his mother. The entire populace witnessed the procession, including the prince who had lost the bet. Standing beside him was the former king, feeling immense shame as his beloved son had gambled away the kingdom. Meanwhile, the exiled son had ascended to the throne. Both of them watched King Aji Bonar, overwhelmed with shame.

Moral message: Loyalty, justice, and thoughtful decision-making.

The story highlights the significance of loyalty to one's partner or family, notably seen in the King's decision to abandon his young wife amidst the turmoil with her family. This underscores the lesson of staying loyal in relationships despite challenges and conflicts. Additionally, it reflects on the repercussions of hasty and deceitful actions. It serves as a reminder of the vital role played by honesty and fairness in relationships and cautions against impulsive decisions made without considering their consequences.

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