Folklore for Kids: The Legend of Sutan Pangaduan: Indonesian Folktale for Kids

Chapter 1: The King's Three Children

Long, long ago, a king ruled the kingdom of Kampung Dalam in Pariaman, in what is now West Sumatra. He had three children by three different mothers: Sutan Lembak Tuah, Sutan Pangaduan, and Puti Sari Makah.

Sutan Lembak Tuah's mother came from an ordinary family. Sutan Pangaduan's mother, Puti Andam Dewi, came from a royal family. Puti Sari Makah's mother was a lady of Arab descent.

Because his mother was of royal blood, Sutan Pangaduan was the rightful crown prince.

Chapter 2: The Kidnapping of Puti Andam Dewi

While his children were still small, the king decided to leave the palace and live quietly on Mount Ledang. Not long after, he passed away.

Soon after, Rajo Unggeh Layang, the ruler of Taluak Singalai Tabang Papan, came to see Puti Andam Dewi.

Rajo Unggeh Layang: "Beautiful Puti Andam Dewi, will you marry me and become my queen?"

Puti Andam Dewi: "Thank you, Your Majesty, but I cannot. My heart belongs to my husband and my children."

Rajo Unggeh Layang grew very angry. He ordered his guards to seize Puti Andam Dewi, and he carried her away to a faraway hill.

Chapter 3: The Spoiled Young King

Meanwhile, Sutan Lembak Tuah, the eldest son, was crowned king, even though he was still a child. He was spoiled and childish, and as he grew older he often did as he pleased, treating the people unfairly.

His mother wanted him to stay king forever, and she feared that little Sutan Pangaduan, the true crown prince, would take the throne one day.

Lembak Tuah's Mother: "That boy must never be king. The throne belongs to my son!"

So little Sutan Pangaduan was sent away. His kind grandmother and his brave cousin, a warrior of Kuala Pantai Cermin, took him in and cared for him.

Chapter 4: A Message from Mount Ledang

Under the loving care of his grandmother and cousin, Sutan Pangaduan grew up wise, quick, and clever. He learned the secrets of magic and wisdom, and he became stronger every day.

One night, when he was ten years old, his father's spirit came down from Mount Ledang and appeared in his dream.

Father: "My son, you are old enough now. Rajo Unggeh Layang has taken your mother. You must set her free."

Sutan Pangaduan: "I will, Father. I promise I will bring her home."

Father: "You cannot do this alone. Ask your brother, Sutan Lembak Tuah, to help you. And remember this secret keyword. When you say it, he will know you are his brother."

Chapter 5: The Trickster in the Garden

Sutan Pangaduan said goodbye to his grandmother and cousin. They gave him sacred weapons for his journey, and he set off for the palace in Kampung Dalam, wearing his fine royal clothes.

Along the way, he stopped to pick a pretty sprig of flowers. Suddenly, a sneaky trickster jumped out from behind a bush.

Trickster: "Stop! Those flowers are forbidden! Nobody may pick them!"

Sutan Pangaduan: "Oh no! I did not know. I am so sorry."

Trickster: "Sorry is not enough. As your punishment, you must trade your fine clothes for my old ragged ones!"

Sutan Pangaduan was honest and kind, so he did not suspect a trick. He gave the trickster his royal clothes and walked on in the tattered ones.

Chapter 6: The Two Brothers Meet

At last, Sutan Pangaduan arrived at the palace in Kampung Dalam. Sutan Lembak Tuah stared at the ragged boy in surprise. The boy looked very much like him! But the brothers had not seen each other since they were babies, so he did not recognize him.

Sutan Lembak Tuah's mother, however, knew at once who the boy was.

Lembak Tuah's Mother: "Guards! Throw this ragged boy out! And you, my son, go and chase him away!"

The two brothers began to fight, but Sutan Pangaduan was so strong that he quickly won. Then he remembered his father's words and spoke the secret keyword.

Sutan Lembak Tuah: "Wait! That keyword... Father told me in a dream that you would come! You are my brother, Sutan Pangaduan!"

Sutan Pangaduan: "Yes, Brother. Father sent me to ask for your help. We must rescue my mother."

Chapter 7: The Secret Plan

Sutan Lembak Tuah asked his mother for permission to go.

Sutan Lembak Tuah: "Mother, it is Father's wish. May I go with Sutan Pangaduan to free Puti Andam Dewi?"

Lembak Tuah's Mother: "Very well, my son, if it is your father's command. Go safely."

But his mother secretly planned to poison Sutan Pangaduan. Luckily, the plan was discovered before any harm was done, and she was locked away in the palace as a punishment. Sutan Lembak Tuah felt sad for his mother, but he kept his promise and set off with his brother.

Chapter 8: Captured on the Hill

When the brothers reached the hill where Puti Andam Dewi was held, thousands of guards rushed out to meet them. The brothers fought bravely, but there were simply too many guards. In the end, both were captured.

High above on Mount Ledang, their father's spirit saw what had happened. He quickly went to his daughter in a dream.

Father: "Puti Sari Makah, your brothers are in danger. Please help them!"

Puti Sari Makah: "Do not worry, Father. I will go at once!"

Chapter 9: The Three Princesses and the Storm

Puti Sari Makah called on her two cousins, the brave female warriors on Puti Andam Dewi's side of the family. Puti Sari Makah could control water, one cousin could control the wind, and the other could control sound.

Puti Sari Makah: "Cousins, together we are stronger. Are you ready?"

The Wind Cousin: "Ready! I will call the wind!"

The Sound Cousin: "And I will make the thunder roar!"

Together they stirred up a great storm. The wind howled, the thunder boomed, and the sea rose high up the hill. The huge wave swept all the guards away! The three princesses freed Puti Andam Dewi, Sutan Pangaduan, and Sutan Lembak Tuah.

Chapter 10: The Little Girl's Trick

As the storm settled, a little girl came running, crying and shivering.

Little Girl: "Please, Sutan Pangaduan, take me with you! The storm swept away my home!"

Sutan Lembak Tuah and Puti Sari Makah looked at her carefully.

Sutan Lembak Tuah: "Do not trust her, Brother. She is the little sister of Rajo Unggeh Layang!"

Puti Sari Makah: "He is right. Please be careful!"

But Sutan Pangaduan felt sorry for the child. He did not listen, and he took her along.

With their mission complete, the family said goodbye. Sutan Pangaduan, his cousin, and his mother went home to Kampung Dalam. Sutan Lembak Tuah returned to the palace in Pariaman, and Puti Sari Makah went back to Makkah.

Chapter 11: The Slow Poison

Time passed, and Sutan Pangaduan grew up. He married the daughter of a neighboring king and was crowned king of that land.

But he did not know that the little girl had been secretly mixing poison into his food, a tiny bit each day. Slowly, his magical powers grew weaker and weaker.

When he was weak enough, the little girl sent word to her brother. Rajo Unggeh Layang returned and kidnapped Puti Andam Dewi once again!

Chapter 12: The Birth of a Hero

Sutan Pangaduan's wife was expecting a baby, and his powers were fading. Still, he knew he had to save his mother.

Sutan Pangaduan: "My dear wife, I must go. My mother needs me."

His Wife: "Go, my husband. Save your mother. I will be waiting for you, and I will take good care of our little one."

Sutan Pangaduan and Sutan Lembak Tuah traveled to Taluak Singalai Tabang Papan. But without his full powers, Sutan Pangaduan was easily overpowered, and both brothers were captured and bound in heavy chains.

On a bright full-moon night, Sutan Pangaduan gathered the last of his magic and stomped his foot with all his might. The chains did not break, but the stomp rang out like thunder, echoing far across the land.

It was a sign. At that very moment, Sutan Pangaduan's son was born. And one day, this brave child would come to rescue his father and his grandmother.

🎮 Play the Story! Want to join Sutan Pangaduan on his quest to free his mother? Try the interactive game below! Tap the characters, help him defeat Sutan Lembak Tuah, drag the sacred weapon, and help three magical princesses summon a mighty storm. It comes with voice narration and an Indonesian/English language toggle.

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Wednesday, 5 August 2020

The Legend of Sutan Pangaduan: Indonesian Folktale for Kids