Captain Tanggang

Translated into English by: Khidir M. Yazir / Kid Haider

Si Talang and his wife, Si Daruma, lived in a secluded village where they struggled to make ends meet. They had a son named Si Tanggang who had a passion for hunting and rowing canoes. One day, while rowing down the river, he caught the attention of a ship's captain who was impressed by his skills. The captain ordered his men to capture Si Tanggang and bring him aboard the ship.

     During the voyage, Si Tanggang worked hard and won the captain's heart, who eventually adopted him as his son. To top it off, the captain even married Si Tanggang to his daughter and appointed him as the new captain, earning him the title of Captain Tanggang.

     After a long journey, Captain Tanggang decided to anchor the ship at the mouth of the river, only to realise that it was his original village. It was a twist of fate that brought him back to where it all began.

     Some villagers spotted Captain Tanggang and informed his mother. She rushed to see him because she missed him dearly. However, Captain Tanggang was too ashamed to acknowledge that the poor, frail woman was his mother. Nakhoda Tanggang had previously driven her away. 

     Si Deruma, his mother, felt heartbroken and resentful that her own son had rejected her. She looked up at the sky, raised her hands, and cried out, "Oh, God! Show Si Tanggang that I am his mother." Suddenly, thunder roared and the wind howled, causing the anchored ship to sway violently in the storm. Captain Tanggang realized that his mother's prayer had been answered. He called out, "Oh, Mother! Forgive your son...." But it was too late. A massive wave crashed into the ship, turning it and the crew, including Si Tanggang, into stone. This was the consequence of a disobedient child.