Alue Naga and Sultan Meurah

Alue Naga: Justice and Forgiveness

Edisi Indonesia: Alue Naga dan Sultan Meurah

Folklore from Aceh

In the legendary land of Aceh, the tale of Sultan Meurah, a leader brimming with kindness and wisdom, echoes through time. Ever open to the grievances of his people in remote villages, he embarked on a visit to a hamlet in Aceh. There, he heard distressing complaints of vanished livestock and frequent tremors unsettling the region. A resident lamented, 'Sultan, my cow vanished at dawn. And my neighbor's two goats disappeared without a trace.'

Deeply concerned, Sultan Meurah tasked his loyal friend, Renggali, with unraveling the mystery. Hastening to the hill rumored as the epicenter of the tremors, Renggali discovered a vast pool of water resonating with a thunderous boom.

Investigating the source, Renggali was astonished to encounter a large dragon concealed amidst foliage. 'Please forgive me!' pleaded a voice, accompanied by a minor quake.

This dragon turned out to be an old companion of the late Sultan Alam, father to Sultan Meurah. Longing for his lost friend, the dragon implored Renggali's aid in reaching Sultan Alam, despite his absence.

Upon hearing the dragon's plea, Sultan Meurah inquired, 'What caused your paralysis, brother?'

With tears, the dragon unveiled his tragic tale. Sultan Alam had dispatched him to deliver a sword to his acquaintances, Tuan Tapa and Raja Linge. In return, Tuan Tapa gifted him 6 buffaloes.

However, succumbing to temptation, the dragon falsely accused one of King Linge's men to fulfill his desire to consume 2 buffaloes. Consequently, the accused was slain by King Linge, and the dragon was paralyzed by the king's sword.

Moved by the dragon's narrative, Sultan Meurah and Renggali decided to extract the sword that inflicted the paralysis. Upon its removal, the dragon was urged to return to its original abode—the sea.

With a heavy heart, the dragon slowly made its way back to the sea, leaving a mark that shaped a small river, known henceforth as the Alue Naga River.

Moral Message: Justice, Forgiveness, and Compassion

The story of Alue Naga and Sultan Meurah imparts profound lessons on justice, forgiveness, and compassion. It underscores the significance of forgiveness and fairness in responding to wrongful deeds. Sultan Meurah and Renggali's actions, acknowledging the dragon's plight and rectifying past mistakes by releasing the sword, exemplify kindness, forgiveness, and the pursuit of justice—restoring balance and harmony amidst misunderstandings.