Folklore for Kids: The Legend of Princess Runduk: Indonesian Story for Children

Chapter 1: The Kingdom of Barus Raya

Once upon a time, long, long ago, there was a great and wonderful kingdom called Barus Raya. It stood in the land we now know as North Sumatra, with two busy towns, the City of Guguk and the City of Beriang, not far from a place called Kadai Gadang.

The kingdom was ruled by a wise and kind king named Raja Jayadana. The people of Barus Raya followed the teachings of Islam, and the kingdom was at the very height of its glory.

And oh, what a joyful place it was! The people of the coast loved music, dance, and beautiful traditions. They danced the lively Serampang 12. They held colorful ceremonies such as Bakonde and Berinai. They dressed in golden-yellow cloth and carried bright yellow umbrellas that shone like little suns in the sunshine.

Every morning, the villagers greeted one another with big smiles.

Villager: "Good morning, neighbor! What a lovely day for Barus Raya!"

Neighbor: "Indeed it is! We are so lucky to have a kind king and a happy kingdom."

Chapter 2: The Most Beautiful Princess

Raja Jayadana had a queen named Princess Runduk. She was so beautiful, and so gentle and kind, that people said there was no one else like her in all the land.

Word about her beauty flew across the seas, like a bird carrying good news from island to island. Soon, kings and traders in faraway countries were talking about the beautiful princess of Barus Raya.

One evening, Raja Jayadana watched the sunset with his queen.

Raja Jayadana: "My dear Runduk, the whole world speaks of your beauty."

Princess Runduk: "Beauty fades like the evening light, my king. I would rather be remembered for a kind heart."

Raja Jayadana: "Then you will be remembered for both, my queen."

But not everyone who heard about the princess had a kind heart. Some of them wanted her all for themselves.

Chapter 3: Three Kings Come Calling

Before long, important visitors began to arrive at the palace.

First came the King of China, who sailed across the wide sea. He bowed before the royal couple and made a grand announcement.

King of China: "Princess Runduk, I have come from far away to ask for your hand in marriage!"

Princess Runduk: "Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty, but I am already married to King Jayadana. I must say no."

The King of China was not happy, but he turned around and left.

Then came other kings who also wished to marry the princess. Raja Janggi was a powerful ruler from Sudan, far away in Africa. Raja Sanjaya was the proud king of Mataram, on the island of Java.

Neither king cared that Princess Runduk already had a husband. When she refused them, both grew angry.

Raja Sanjaya: "If she will not come willingly, I will take her by force!"

Raja Janggi: "Not if I get to her first!"

And so, both kings called their soldiers and prepared their ships. They set sail for Barus Raya.

Chapter 4: The Battle with Mataram

When the lookouts spotted the ships on the horizon, they raced to the palace.

Palace Guard: "Your Majesty! Ships from Mataram are coming! There are so many of them!"

Raja Jayadana stood tall. He was a peaceful king, but he loved his kingdom and his queen dearly.

Raja Jayadana: "Gather the army! We will protect Barus Raya and everyone in it."

Commander: "Yes, Your Majesty! We will stand by you to the end!"

The army of Barus Raya faced the army of Mataram in a great and terrible battle. The fighting lasted for a very long time. The soldiers of Barus Raya were brave, but the army of Mataram was too strong. At last, the Kingdom of Barus Raya was defeated, and the kind King Jayadana lost his life in the battle.

The kingdom was filled with sadness.

Chapter 5: Raja Sanjaya's Anger

With Barus Raya conquered, Raja Sanjaya marched into the palace and found Princess Runduk. She was sad, but she stood tall and proud.

Raja Sanjaya: "Princess Runduk, your husband is gone. Now you must marry me and become the queen of Mataram!"

Princess Runduk: "I cannot, Your Majesty. I follow the teachings of Islam, and you follow a different faith. I will never marry you."

Raja Sanjaya's face turned red with fury.

Raja Sanjaya: "Then I will take you with me as my prisoner!"

Later, the people of Barus Raya remembered that sad day in a little rhyme, called a pantun:

Guguk City, Bariang City, Third City at the river's mouth. Chickens crow in the daytime, Princess Runduk was taken away by Java.

Chapter 6: Raja Janggi Arrives

But Raja Sanjaya's troubles were not over.

The battle had left the soldiers of Mataram tired and worn out. And who should be waiting for that very moment? Raja Janggi, the king from Africa!

Raja Janggi: "Look at them! They are exhausted. Now is our chance! Attack!"

His soldiers rushed forward, and the tired army of Mataram could not fight back. Soon the soldiers of Mataram were scattered everywhere, and Raja Janggi won an easy victory.

The City of Guguk and the beautiful palace of Barus Raya were left in ruins, and Princess Runduk was in more danger than ever.

Chapter 7: The Escape to Morsala Island

In all that noise and confusion, a group of loyal guards, who had served King Jayadana faithfully, hurried to the princess's side. Her ladies-in-waiting were with them.

Loyal Guard: "Princess, quickly! This is our chance to escape. We must take you to Morsala Island!"

Princess Runduk: "Thank you, my faithful friends. Let us go, before it's too late."

They slipped away and hurried onto a boat. The sea was rough, the wind was strong, and everyone was in a great rush. In all the hurry, many of the princess's belongings tumbled out of the boat and floated across the water. As each one landed, a little island rose up in that very place, and people named each island after the thing that fell there!

Because of that, there are islands called Terika Island, Kain-Kain Island (the Island of Cloths), Puteri Island (the Princess Island), Situngkus Island, and many more. If you visit them today, you can still remember the princess's escape.

Lady-in-Waiting: "Princess, look! Our things are falling into the sea!"

Princess Runduk: "Never mind, dear friend. Things can be replaced. We must keep going."

Chapter 8: The Brave Princess

But Raja Janggi was not going to give up so easily. When he learned that the princess had escaped to Morsala Island, he chased after her with his big, strong army and his fast ships.

It did not take him long to catch up.

Raja Janggi: "Princess Runduk! You cannot run any farther. Come with me!"

Princess Runduk: "Never! I will not go with you, no matter what you say!"

Raja Janggi reached out to grab her. But Princess Runduk was brave. She lifted a special stick made from a bahar root, a stick that had been handed down from the old King of Barus, and she struck Raja Janggi right on the head!

Raja Janggi: "Ouch! How dare you!"

Over the years, the people of the islands sang about this story in another pantun:

Puteri Island, Penginang Island, Third is Anak Janggi Island. Lapiang, the white pillows, Poison plays within the heart. Good is the service, for it is white, But sad it is, the pillow is merry, And the one who sleeps is scratched.

And in yet another old verse, they sang:

Rain pours down on Morsala, Flowers of the orangutans. The stars in the sky lose their way, The waves on the sea hold on. Talam Island, Tarika Island, Third is Folded-Cloth Island. The anchor is broken, the lander is broken, The bow speeds off along another path.

Chapter 9: The Princess and the Sea

Princess Runduk was brave, but she was tired. She had been running for a very long time, and Raja Janggi was much stronger than she was.

She looked at the great, wide ocean.

Princess Runduk: "I will never belong to you, Raja Janggi. I would rather belong to the sea."

And with that, the brave princess leapt into the waves. The water closed around her, and she disappeared into the middle of the ocean. She was never seen again.

Raja Janggi: "Wait! Come back! Where has she gone?"

But there was no answer. There was only the sound of the waves.

Chapter 10: The Lament of Sikambang Bandahari

Someone had watched everything from the very beginning. It was Sikambang Bandahari, the princess's faithful maid, who had served her in the palace of Barus Raya. She saw it all with her own eyes.

She fell to her knees and cried and cried.

Sikambang Bandahari: "Oh, Princess! I wish I could have saved you! How could those kings be so cruel, all because of your beauty?"

She was very sad, and she was also very angry at the kings who had caused so much trouble. Day after day, she sang a song of sorrow. Her song told of the beauty of the princesses of Barus Raya, and of the fame and glory of the kingdom that had once been so great.

People who heard the song remembered it and taught it to their children, and their children taught it to their children. That is why we still remember Princess Runduk today, and why her legend is told even now, all these years later.

Want to experience the legend of Puteri Runduk firsthand? Play the interactive story below — follow her journey turning away royal suitors, witnessing the fall of Barus Raya, and her tense escape to Morsala Island. Voice narration and an Indonesian/English language toggle are included.

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Wednesday, 29 July 2020

The Legend of Princess Runduk: Indonesian Story for Children