The Legend of Batu Hapu Cave
In
Tapin, South Kalimantan, there is a tourist destination. There is a cave
and people name it Batu Hapu Cave. Local people say that there is a
legend how the cave was made. Do you want to know the story? Read on!
There was an old woman who lived with his only son. The woman's name was
Nini Kudampai and her son's name was Angui. They were really poor while
Angui was still a kid. He was kind and very helpful. His father died
when he was a baby. Though he was very young, he behaved like an adult.
He knew he had to help his mother to earn a living. And that made his
mother loved him very much.
Angui had three pets. They were a white pig, a white dog, and a white
cock. He liked playing with them after helping his mother. It was a
beautiful day when Angui was playing with his three pets. A rich
merchant was passing Angui's house. He stopped and paid attention to the
kid. He liked Angui very much. He asked some people about Angui. And
when he knew that Angui came from a poor family, he wanted to adopt
Angui.
The rich merchant came to Angui's house. He talked to Nini Kudampai. He
told him that he wanted to adopt Angui. He promised that he would let
Angui go home and live with her after Angui was an adult. And he also
promised that he would give Angui a good education.
Nini Kudampai was so touched. She was in a big dilemma. She was happy
that her only son would get a good education, however she was also sad
that she would not see son anymore. She agreed with the merchant's plan.
She let him adopt her soon.
With a big ship, the merchant and Angui sailed to the city. He raised
Angui very well. He sent Angui to the best school. And he also taught
him how doing business. Angui was smart. He could understand everything
very fast. The merchant was very happy. He slowly gave some of his
business to Angui. And Angui paid the trust by giving the merchant a lot
of profit.
Angui was adult, the rich merchant planned to give all his business to
Angui. However the rich merchant asked Angui to get married before he
could receive the entire merchant's business. And Angui agreed.
Angui had fallen in love with a girl. He knew it was time for him to get
married, especially when the merchant had promised to give him all the
business. He did not waste much time. Angui proposed the girl and the
girl happily accepted him.
Angui and his wife were very happy. Also, they were very rich. The
merchant remembered his promise to Nini Kudampai. He told Angui to go
home. But Angui refused. The merchant then reminded Angui about his
promised. His wife also asked Angui to go to his hometown. Angui gave
up. He asked his crew to prepare his ship. They would sail to Tapin.
The news spread very fast. People were talking that Angui would go back
home. His mother finally heard the news also. She brought Angui's pets,
the white pig, the white dog, and the white cock.
Nini Kudampai was standing at the harbor. When she saw Angui, she called
out his name. Angui saw his mother. She looked very old and shabby. He
was ashamed. His wife asked him who the old woman was, but he said that
he did not know her. He then asked his crew to continue sailing. The
ship did not stop.
Nini Kudampai was so sad, and she was also very angry. She cursed Angui
for ignoring her. She had been waiting for her son to come back. And
when he arrived, he ignored and did not want to admit her as his mother.
God heard the old woman's praying. Suddenly the rain fell down heavily.
Thunder attacked the ship. It turned upside down! The ship finally
stranded. Slowly the ship changed into a big stone. Later, the big stone
slowly changed into a cave. People then named the cave as Batu Hapu
Cave. ***
by : Srimuliyana OJT