Chapter 1: The Seven Princesses
Once upon a time, in a grand kingdom nestled safely at the foot of Mount Ruai in the Sambas region, there lived a wise and benevolent King. His palace was filled with laughter and luxury, and he was blessed with seven lovely daughters. Yet, despite sharing the same royal lineage, the sisters could not have been more different from one another.
The six older sisters were vain, haughty, and possessed terribly cruel tempers. They spent their days idling away, demanding constant attention, and quarreling amongst themselves. The youngest princess, however, was as sweet and gentle as a morning breeze. She treated everyone—from the grand lords to the lowliest palace servants—with utmost kindness, grace, and patience.
Because of her noble heart, the King cherished his youngest daughter above all others, frequently showering her with affectionate praise. Alas, this only fueled the flames of resentment in his royal court.
The King: "Look at your youngest sister! See how gently she speaks and how kindly she treats our people? Why can you six not follow her graceful example instead of causing endless strife?"
Whenever the King scolded his elder daughters, their hearts hardened with bitter jealousy. Secretly, they vowed to make their innocent little sister suffer.
Chapter 2: Shadows in the Palace
Whenever the King turned his back or attended to state affairs, the six older sisters unleashed their malice upon the youngest princess. They treated her not as a royal sister, but as a humble servant girl, forcing her to clean their chambers, fetch their meals, and carry out grueling chores.
Eldest Sister: "Fetch my golden comb at once, little maid! And do not keep me waiting, or you shall feel the sting of my hand!"Second Sister: "Patience, sister! If she makes a single mistake or dare refuse, we will make sure she regrets it dearly!"
Though her sweet hands grew weary and her eyes filled with unshed tears, the young princess never spoke a word of complaint. Fearing that telling her loving father would only ruin the harmony of the royal home, she suffered in silent endurance.
Youngest Princess: "I must remain patient and quiet. If I inform Father, it will only bring him sorrow and cause greater anger among my sisters."
Chapter 3: A Royal Task and a Wicked Plot
One bright morning, the King summoned all seven of his daughters into the great throne room. An urgent message had arrived from a neighboring kingdom, requiring his presence for a grand diplomatic visit that would keep him away for two long months.
The King: "My dear daughters, I must journey across the realm to visit our royal neighbors. To ensure our kingdom remains peaceful while I am away, I shall appoint a temporary regent. My youngest daughter, who possesses the wisdom, patience, and gentle spirit needed to rule, shall lead the kingdom in my stead."
The six elder sisters gasped in outrage, their faces turning pale with envy. The thought of bowing before their youngest sister was more than their pride could bear. The moment the King departed with his royal guards, the sisters gathered in secret to hatch a treacherous plot.
Third Sister: "This is unacceptable! How dare Father place that little weakling upon the throne over us?"Fourth Sister: "We must dispose of her before Father returns! Listen closely... tomorrow morning, we shall invite her to search for fish using woven rattan deep within the dark cave at the base of the mountain."
Chapter 4: The Darkness of the Cave
The following dawn, the six sisters approached the unsuspecting princess with fake smiles and sweet promises of sisterly affection.
Fifth Sister: "Dear little sister, let us celebrate your appointment! Come with us to the ancient cave; we shall catch fresh fish and gather treasures together."
Overjoyed by what she believed to be a gesture of newfound love, the youngest princess eagerly agreed. When they reached the gaping, pitch-black mouth of the cavern, the sisters nudged her forward.
Sixth Sister: "Go on, step inside first! The best fishing spots lie deep within the dark tunnels. We are right behind you!"
Trusting her sisters completely, the sweet princess stepped into the abyss. As she ventured deeper into the damp, shadowy depths, the cavern grew colder and darker. Suddenly, she heard a loud echo of scurrying footsteps and muffled laughter. Turning around, she realized her sisters were nowhere to be found. They had fled the cave, sealing her inside the darkness all alone.
Youngest Princess: "Sisters! Where are you? Please do not leave me in the dark!"
Only the cold echoes answered her. She sank to the cavern floor and wept bitter, heartbreaking tears.
Chapter 5: Magic in the Shadows
As her sorrowful weeping echoed through the stone tunnels, a warm, golden light suddenly illuminated the cavern. Out of the shadows emerged a mysterious, kindly old man with a long white beard, radiating a comforting power. He was the ancient guardian spirit of Mount Ruai.
The Old Guardian: "Dry your tears, my sweet child! I have watched your suffering and seen the pure goodness in your heart. I shall free you from all pain and malice forever."Youngest Princess: "Oh, kind grandfather! How can I ever escape this dark place and the cruelty of my sisters?"The Old Guardian: "You shall take flight above their reach! I will transform you into a magnificent bird. Your falling tears shall turn into precious eggs. Care for them until they hatch, and you shall never be lonely again."
As the old man spoke, a gentle magic wrapped around the princess. Her tears solidified into smooth, speckled eggs upon the cave floor. Her arms turned into elegant wings, and her silk garments transformed into breathtaking feathers of brilliant white, black, and iridescent patterns, mirroring her pristine beauty.
With a joyful chirp, the newly transformed princess incubated her magical eggs. Soon, they hatched into a flock of lovely feathered companions, filling the cavern with sweet song.
Chapter 6: Flight to Freedom
Now gifted with wings, the princess and her feathered family flew out from the dark cavern into the bright blue sky. She swooped gracefully over the forest canopy and perched high upon the leafy branches of a tall tree overlooking the royal palace grounds.
Below, the King had returned from his long journey. Upon discovering his beloved daughter was missing and learning of the treacherous crime, his heart burned with wrath. He ordered his guards to strip his six cruel daughters of their royal titles and cast them out into the wilderness as judgment for their evil deeds.
From her high perch, the little princess watched in peace, knowing that justice had prevailed and that she was finally safe and free.
Moral of the Story
Virtue, patience, and kindness will always triumph over jealousy and cruelty. Good deeds bring eternal grace and protection, while evil actions eventually bring their own downfall. To this day, the people of West Kalimantan treasure the stunning Ruai Bird, believing it to be the living embodiment of the beloved princess's pure spirit.
Play the interactive tale of The Origin of the Ruai Bird! Tap, hold, and follow the on-screen prompts to journey with the youngest princess of Mount Ruai as she transforms into a beautiful bird. Comes with voice narration and an Indonesian/English language toggle.
- The Clever Squirrel and the Brave Cork Fish.
- The Legend of the Crying Stone.
- The Legend of the Golden Watermelon.
- The Origin of the Ruai Bird: A West Kalimantan Folklore.
- The Legend of Dara Itam: The Healing Maiden and the Birth of the Landak Kingdom.
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