A long time ago on a small beach in Indonesia, lived a woman and her son, who was called Malin Kundang. They did not have very much money, but Malin Kundang was a healthy strong boy who was a good boatsman and swimmer. He went to the sea to catch fish, which he and his mother ate or sold in the town.
One day, Malin Kundang saw a trader’s ship in trouble. It was being raided by a small band of pirates. Malin Kundang went to help the ship and fought off the pirates. The trader was very grateful to Malin Kundang, and very impressed by his strength and bravery. He asked Malin Kundang to work with him and Malin Kundang agreed.
Malin Kundang made lots of money. He bought a huge ship of his own and married a beautiful wife.
Many years later, Malin Kundang’s ship landed on the small beach where he grew up. People on the beach recognised him, and the news travelled around the village. His mother, who had been sad and lonely without him, heard the news and ran to the beach to meet her beloved son.
Malin Kundung, wearing his expensive clothes and standing with his beautiful wife, didn’t recognise his mother and refused to greet the poor old woman. His mother begged him to see her three times, but he declined. At last Malin Kundung shouted “Enough, old woman! I have never had a dirty and ugly peasant woman like you as a mother!” and he ordered his crews to set sail.
His mother was angry. She shouted that she would turn him into stone unless he apologised. Malin Kundung laughed and started to sail away into the calm sea.
Suddenly a thunderstorm descended. Malin Kundang’s ship was tossed to and fro on the huge waves, and sank. Malin Kundang was thrown from the ship onto a small island and turned into stone.
PRABU Tapa Agung was an old king. He had two daughters, Purbararang and Purbasari. Prabu Tapa Agung planned to retire as a king. He wanted Purbasari to replace him as the leader of the kingdom.
Hearing this, Purbararang was angry. "You cannot ask her to be the queen, Father. I'm older than she is. It's supposed to be me, not her!" said Purbararang. But the king still chose Purbasari to be the next queen. Purbararang then set a bad plan with her fiance, Indrajaya. Together they went to a witch and asked her to put a spell on Purbasari. Later, Purbasari had bad skin. There were black dots all over her body. "You are not as beautiful as I am. You cannot be the queen. Instead, you have to leave this palace and stay in a jungle," said Purbararang. Purbasari was very sad. Now she had to stay in the jungle. Everyday she spent her time playing with some animals there.
There was one monkey that always tried to cheer her up. It was not just an ordinary monkey, he had magical power. And he also could talk with humans. The monkey's name was Lutung Kasarung. He was actually a god. His name was Sanghyang Gurumina.
Lutung Kasarung planned to help Purbasari. He made a small lake and asked her to take a bath there. Amazingly, her bad skin was cured. Now she got her beautiful skin back. After that, she asked Lutung Kasarung to accompany her to go back to the palace.
Purbararang was very shocked. She knew she had to come up with another bad idea. She then said, "Those who have longer hair will be the queen." The king then measured his daughters' hair. Purbasari had longer hair. But Purbararang did not give up. "A queen must have a handsome husband. If my fiance is more handsome than yours, then I will be the queen," said Purbararang.
Purbasari was sad. She knew Purbararang's fiance, Indrajaya, was handsome. And she did not have a fiance yet. "Here is my fiancé, Indrajaya. Where is yours?" asked Purbararang. Lutung Kasarung came forward. Purbararang was laughing very hard. "Your fiance is a monkey, ha ha ha." Suddenly, Lutung Kasarung changed into a very a handsome man. He was even more handsome than Indrajaya.
Purbasari then became the queen. She forgave Purbararang and her fiance and let them stay in the palace.
