The Legend of Pigeon

Legenda Merpati >> Edisi Indonesia

Folklore from Riau

ONCE upon a time, there was a farmer who lived with his wife and their only son. His son's name was Bujang. He was a naughty boy. He was also spoiled and never wanted to help his parents. He loved to play spinning-top with his friends. He could play for hours and ignored his parents.

The parents have advised him many times. They told him to do good deeds and be a good child, They never got bored to tell him to do good things. They always told him to behave well. Unfortunately Bujang never listened to them. He was such a disobedient kid.

It was a bright day. Farmers were happy. They would harvest the rice. All farmers worked hard and so did Bujang's parents.

The parents wanted to go to the rice field. They asked Bujang just to stay at home.

'We are very busy today and maybe we will go home before dark. Please stay at home and don't go anywhere," asked his father.

Bujang was happy when he knew that his parents would be outside of the house all day long. He planned to play spinning-top with his friends while his parents were at the rice field.

"All right, Father. I will stay at home," said Bujang.

He knew the sooner he said yes to stay at home, the faster his parents would leave the house.
His parents left the house and went to the rice field. Not long after that, Bujang left the house and played with his friends.

It was almost dark, his parents arrived at home. They were surprised to see the house was in a mess. Bujang was not at horne. His father was angry! He went to Bujang's room.

He grabbed the spinning-top and boiled it. When Bujang arrived, he went to the kitchen He was hungry and wanted to have some dinner. However when he opened the pot, he did not find any food. Instead he saw his spinning-top! Bujang was sad. He cried and sang a song about a bird. In his song, Bujang said that he would rather become a bird. He could be free. He could do anything he wanted.

Amazingly, while he was singing the song, some feathers grew in his body. His mouth slowly changed into a beak. Yes, Bujang became a bird! He became a pigeon!

"Oh no... What's happening to me?" asked Bujang to himself.

When he saw the mirror, he was completely shocked!

"I am a bird!" said Bujang.

He flew and left the house. In the morning, Bujang's parents woke up. They heard a bird singing.

"The voice is familiar," said Bujang's mother.

"It's a bird that sings," replied the father.

"I know that... but why is the voice so familiar?" said the mother.

"Yes, you are right!" said the father. They then went outside of the house

The bird kept on singing. The mother finally recognized the voice.

"It is Bujang's voice! Yes, I'm sure it is Bujang's voice!"

The pigeon responded.

"Mother, it's me Bujang. I'm so sorry for all the bad things that I have done. I ask for your forgiveness,

Mother and Father. God punished me and now I become a bird. I cannot live with you anymbre. Goodbye, Father and Mother."

The parents were sad. They have just lost their only son. However it already happened. Their son had changed into a pigeon. ***

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