The Devouring Rock

The Devouring Rock

Illustrations by: Nisha Menon In the olden times, in
the further tropical land of
Malaysia. Once lived a poor
widow named Mak Tanjung
with her two children Melur
and Pekan. Mak Tanjung was a
loving mother who worked
hard everyday to support her
family.

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Illustrations by: Nisha Menon One morning, she went fishing
at the nearby river. She caught a big
Tembakul fish full of fish roe. “Finally!”
she cried out loud with joy, “I have
been dreaming about eating this fish
for so long.” This was going to be the
best meal she would have since the
day her husband passed. What a
blessing it was! Her stomach croaked
in agreement. She returned home to
share this happiness to her children.

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Illustrations by: Nisha Menon Mak Tanjung asked Melur to cook
the fish and save some fish roe for her.
Before Mak Tanjung left the house to go to
the forest to buy some wood, she told her
children that if she came home late, they
didn’t have to wait for her and may eat first.
While in the forest, Mak Tanjung spend the
entire day imagining how delicious the fish
roe was. However, when she arrived at
home.She found out all the fish and its roe
were gone. “You... ate all the food? There’s
none left for me?” She asked quietly, as her
daughter and son looked away from her.

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Illustrations by: Nisha Menon Seeing her very upset mother, Melur
explained that she had saved some of the egg
for her but Pekan wanted more. “I’m sorry…”
Melur whispered, “Pekan kept asking for more. I
did not know what to do, Ibu.” “Pekan was crying
so loud while rolling around on the floor.” Melur
said. He ignored his sister’s warnings and ate
the fish roe anywhere.

Melur felt so guilty and asked for her
mother’s forgiveness, but it was too late. They
failed to keep their promise. Their mother’s heart
was already broken to pieces. Mak Tanjung felt
that her children no longer loved her.

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In this village they lived in, was a mysterious

rock that would open up to reveal a dark and deep cave.

This rock would only open its mouth to those who are

overwhelmed with sadness. It often lured people in

distress by calling out to them, opening its entrance for

people to wander in before closing, never to be seen

again. Mak Tanjung started to hear the rock call out to her.

She stormed out of the house and ran into the forest.

Melur and Pekan rushed after her and begged their

mother to return. From a far, they heard their mother

scream: “The devouring rock, my children no longer love

me, I sacrificed myself to you.” She ran towards the

devouring rock and then she stood at the mouth of the

Illustrations by: Nisha Menon border. Suddenly, the border make a loud rumbling sound

and swallowed the woman.

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Illustrations by: Nisha Menon By the time, Melur and Pekan
arrived. They found only their mother’s
shawl left in the dirt. The rock’s entrance
long closed. They wailed and wailed,
pounding their hands on the smooth
surface of the rock that did not open,
clutching onto the shawl. By morning, the
children were exhausted and had
accepted their fates as orphans, forever
regretting their selfish actions.

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STORY TAKEN FROM
website : Anonymous. (2021, May 27). Tale of the devouring
rock. In Off Stage.
https://www.esplanade.com/offstage/arts/tale-of-the-
devouring-rock
youtube : Asean Folktales. (2017, Nov 22). Malaysia - The
Devouring Rock.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Rky0XO81Yw&t=7s

THE END!

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