Chapter 1: The Maiden and Her Devoted Mother
Once upon a time, high up in the lush green hills of West Kalimantan, Indonesia, there was a quiet little village. In this peaceful village lived a poor widow and her daughter named Darmi. Darmi was blessed with breathtaking beauty; her skin was as smooth as silk, her hair flowed like black satin, and her eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky.
However, beneath her radiant face lay a vain and selfish heart. Ever since her father passed away, her poor mother worked tirelessly in the mud of the rice fields from dawn to dusk. Every day, the mother returned home exhausted with sunburnt skin and muddy hands, earning only a small handful of coins to buy food.
Instead of helping her weary mother, Darmi spent every single day sitting in front of her mirror. She put on powders, combed her fine hair, and admired her own reflection. When she was finished dressing up, she would strut around the village pathways just to show off her beauty to the local youths.
Mother: "My dearest child Darmi, could you please help your old mother in the fields today? The weeds are thick, and my back aches so terribly."Darmi: "Me? Work in the dirty rice field? Absolutely not! Look at my soft hands and my beautiful clothes! The hot sun will ruin my fair skin, and the mud will spoil my dress! You are my mother, so it is your job to work hard and earn money for us!"Mother: "Darmi, my child... we must live simply according to our means. We barely have enough for daily rice."Darmi: "I don't care about simple living! If we don't have money, then go out and work harder! I need new shiny jewelry and fine cosmetics!"
Chapter 2: A Trip to the Village Market
One fine morning, the mother prepared her bamboo basket to head down to the bustling village market. Seeing her mother getting ready, Darmi hurried out of her room, pouting her lips.
Darmi: "Mother! Since you are going to the market, you must buy me new facial powder and delicate cosmetics!"Mother: "Oh, my child... your old mother does not know anything about beauty powders and cosmetics. I might pick the wrong item. Please, come along with me to the market so you can choose it yourself."Darmi: "What? Walk with you to the market? Everyone will see us together! Fine, I will come, but on one condition: you must walk far behind me. Do not dare walk beside me!"
The mother’s heart sank, knowing deep inside that her own daughter was ashamed of her ragged clothes and weathered face. Yet, out of boundless love for her only child, the gentle mother softly nodded and agreed to the harsh condition.
Chapter 3: The Broken Heart along the Path
As they strolled toward the market, Darmi walked gracefully at the front in her colorful dress, while her mother trudged slowly several paces behind, carrying a heavy woven bag. On the road, they encountered some of Darmi’s friends.
Village Friend 1: "Oh, look! Hello there, beautiful Darmi! Where are you going today?"Darmi: "Good morning! I am heading to the market to purchase some fine cosmetics."Village Friend 1: "By the way, Darmi... who is that old woman walking far behind you? Is she your mother?"Darmi: "What? Her? Oh, goodness, no! She is just my old servant. She carries my bags!"
Hearing those cold words, the mother gasped silently. Tears welled up in her gentle eyes, but she pressed her lips together and remained silent. A little further down the winding path, another group of villagers greeted Darmi.
Village Friend 2: "Good day, Darmi! You look so radiant today! Tell us, who is that tired old woman following behind you?"Darmi: "Oh, ignore her! She is merely a poor maid I hired to carry my things."
With every single denial, the poor mother felt as though a sharp blade was stabbing straight through her heart. Darmi repeated this shameful lie to everyone they met along the way.
Chapter 4: The Heavenly Punishment
Finally, the mother could bear the heartbreaking agony no longer. She stopped in her tracks, dropped her heavy basket, and collapsed onto the dusty grass by the roadside, weeping bitterly.
Noticing that the footsteps behind her had stopped, Darmi turned around, frowning with annoyance.
Darmi: "Hey! Why did you stop walking? Get up right now! You are making us slow, let us move!"
The mother did not stand up. Instead, she raised her trembling hands toward the heavens, her eyes streaming with salty tears.
Mother: "O Almighty God... hear the sorrow of a heartbroken mother. I am no longer able to guide and educate my own child. She has stepped upon my pride and shattered my soul. O Lord, please... bestow your righteous punishment upon her!"
The moment the mother finished her prayer, the clear blue sky instantly turned pitch black. Thunder clapped violently across the heavens, and jagged flashes of lightning pierced the air. A cold, fierce wind began to howl around them.
Suddenly, Darmi screamed in sheer horror as she looked down at her feet.
Darmi: "Aaah! What is happening to me?! Mother, look at my feet! Why are they turning cold and grey? My feet are turning into solid stone!"
The stone slowly and steadily crept upward—moving from her ankles to her knees, and from her knees to her waist. Realizing her grave mistake, Darmi burst into desperate, agonizing tears.
Darmi: "Oh Mother, please forgive me! Forgive your foolish daughter! I am so sorry for everything I said! Please pray to God to stop this! Help me, Mother! Please, help me!"
The mother wept quietly, but it was far too late. As the famous saying goes, the rice had already turned into porridge. The curse could not be undone. Slowly, the stone petrified her chest, her shoulders, and finally reached her face. Darmi’s entire body transformed into a cold stone statue.
Chapter 5: Tears Set in Stone
When the dark clouds parted and the heavy rain finally stopped, the villagers gathered at the scene in absolute awe. Standing by the roadside was a human-shaped rock, and from its eyes, warm water continued to flow like endless tears.
Even though Darmi had turned into solid stone, her spirit wept endlessly in deep regret for her cruel disobedience.
Together, the villagers gently moved the heavy rock and leaned it against a high cliff wall nearby. To this day, the people of West Kalimantan call it Batu Menangis—The Crying Stone—a lasting reminder for all children to love, honor, and cherish their parents.
Give it a try! Follow the consequence of Darmi's disrespect toward her mother, all the way to the origin of the Crying Stone.
there are grammar issues like the her she suddenly turn to him he
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