Folklore for Kids: Bujang Paman: A West Sumatran Folktale for Kids

Chapter 1: The Cruel King of Koto Anau

Once upon a time, in the village of Koto Anau, there lived a king named Raja Aniayo. He had a terrible temper, and he loved to gamble more than anything else in the world. He was unkind to everyone, even to his own family.

Raja Aniayo had a gentle wife named Puti Bungsu. She had six older brothers who had moved far away and become very successful merchants. When Raja Aniayo heard about their treasures, a greedy plan crept into his mind. He secretly ordered his servants to poison them. Poor Puti Bungsu knew nothing about it. When her brothers passed away, all their riches went to her.

From that day on, the king came to his wife again and again.

Raja Aniayo: "Give me more gold, Puti Bungsu!"

Each time, he took the gold to the gambling table, and each time he lost every coin. Until one day, the treasure chest was empty.

Puti Bungsu: "I have nothing left, my husband. I have given you everything I own."

Raja Aniayo: "Nothing?! Then you are of no use to me! Soldiers, take her away and leave her in the forest!"

Chapter 2: A Baby in the Forest

Puti Bungsu was very sad, but she did not give up. She was expecting a baby, and she had to be brave. Deep in the forest, she lived all alone. She ate wild fruits, tubers, and leaves to stay strong. When the time came, she had no helper, but she managed all by herself. At last, a healthy baby boy was born.

Puti Bungsu: "Welcome, my little one. I shall name you Bujang Paman."

The animals of the forest soon noticed the mother and her child. They were kind and gentle, and they often brought food for them. As Bujang Paman grew, the animals became his dearest friends. They taught him how to climb tall trees and which fruits and tubers were good to eat.

When Bujang Paman became a young man, his mother told him the truth about their family.

Puti Bungsu: "My son, your father is Raja Aniayo, the king of Koto Anau."

Bujang Paman: "Mother, I want to see the world and learn about life. And one day, I would like to meet my father."

Chapter 3: Mande Rubiah and the Kind Merchant

Bujang Paman set off and walked until he found a small hut. An old woman named Mande Rubiah lived there.

Bujang Paman: "Good day, grandmother. May I tell you my story?"

When Mande Rubiah heard it, her heart filled with kindness.

Mande Rubiah: "Bring your mother here, my child. You may both live in my home."

So Bujang Paman and his mother lived happily with Mande Rubiah, and he looked after her cattle every day. But after a long time, his heart grew restless again.

Bujang Paman: "Mother, Grandmother, I wish to travel and find my own way."

He said goodbye and journeyed far until he reached a place called Muaro Paneh. There he sold goods from village to village to earn his living. One day, he met a rich and kind woman named Puti Reno Ali. She saw how honest Bujang Paman was.

Puti Reno Ali: "You are a truthful young man. Take this gold as your trading money, and buy goods in Solok."

Bujang Paman: "Thank you, my lady. I promise to use it wisely."

Chapter 4: The Tiger Who Helped

But in Solok, Bujang Paman met someone he did not expect. It was Raja Aniayo, his own father! The king did not know him, but Bujang Paman knew exactly who he was.

Raja Aniayo: "Soldiers! Take all that gold from this boy!"

The soldiers took his gold, beat him, tied his hands, and threw him into the forest. Bujang Paman lay there hurt and afraid. He closed his eyes and prayed.

Bujang Paman: "Dear God, please help me."

Soon, he heard soft footsteps. A big tiger came closer! Bujang Paman trembled. But the tiger did not hurt him. Instead, it gently bit through the ropes on his hands. Then it licked his wounds, and, how strange and wonderful, the wounds healed, and Bujang Paman felt stronger than ever before.

He hurried back to Muaro Paneh and told Puti Reno Ali everything.

Puti Reno Ali: "I believe you, Bujang Paman. Here is more gold. Try again."

But when he returned to Solok, Raja Aniayo found him once more. The soldiers took his gold, beat him, and tied his legs with heavy wood. Once again, they left him deep in the forest. And once again, the kind tiger came. It used its claws to cut the ropes and break the wood, and it licked his wounds. Bujang Paman grew stronger and stronger.

Chapter 5: Father and Son

Bujang Paman ran all the way back to Muaro Paneh. When he reached Puti Reno Ali's house, he was surprised. Raja Aniayo and his soldiers were already there!

Raja Aniayo: "How can this be? You should be hurt and broken! Soldiers, cut off his head at once!"

The soldiers grabbed Bujang Paman. Then he spoke up bravely.

Bujang Paman: "My lord, how can you be so cruel? I am your own son!"

Raja Aniayo: "Liar! How dare you call yourself my child!"

Bujang Paman: "I am the son of Puti Bungsu, the wife you sent away into the forest. I will not fight you, for you are my father."

Deep in his heart, Raja Aniayo knew it was true. But he was too proud and too angry. He struck Bujang Paman with his big sword, and the sword snapped in two! He hit him with a stick again and again, but Bujang Paman was not hurt at all. He grabbed a soldier's sword and attacked wildly, but still not one scratch appeared on Bujang Paman.

Chapter 6: Rajo Mudo, the Wise Young King

Raja Aniayo would not stop. At last, Bujang Paman had to defend himself. With one strong kick, he sent the king tumbling backward, and the cruel Raja Aniayo did not get up again.

The soldiers were shocked. They bowed down low before Bujang Paman.

Soldiers: "Please forgive us! We beg you, spare us!"

Bujang Paman: "Do not be afraid. I forgive you all."

When the people of Koto Anau heard the news, they were relieved. The unkind king was gone. After they laid Raja Aniayo to rest, they all agreed on one thing.

The People: "Bujang Paman shall be our king! We will call him Rajo Mudo."

As king, Rajo Mudo's first act was to bring his mother and Mande Rubiah to live with him in the palace. Soon after, he married the kind and generous Puti Reno Ali, who had helped him so much.

From that day on, the people of Koto Anau lived in peace and happiness, for their new king was fair, kind, and wise.

Bujang Paman is a folktale from West Sumatra, Indonesia.

Experience the tale of Bujang Paman for yourself! Help him survive the wild forest, meet the magical Tiger, and finally confront his own father, King Aniayo, in the interactive game below. Includes voice narration (mutable) and a language toggle between Indonesian and English.

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Saturday, 1 August 2020

Bujang Paman: A West Sumatran Folktale for Kids