Lebai Malang is a folk tale from Malaysia which is very popular, especially among the Malay community.
It tells the humorous yet cautionary tale of a religious teacher named Lebai, whose life experiences a series of bad luck due to his insatiable greed and cunning ways.
This story is widespread in Malay lands, including Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, and has various variations depending on the region and the teller.
Lebai, despite his outward piety, has a deep desire for wealth and often resorts to trickery and deceit to get ahead.
The story follows him through a series of hilarious misadventures, each of which is the result of his own misdeeds.
In a village on the banks of a river, there lived a religious teacher named Lebai.
Lebai is known as a person who diligently worships and has extensive religious knowledge.
However, behind his piety, Lebai harbored great greed.
One day, Lebai received an invitation to a party from two rich people in different villages.
Both parties were held on the same day and at the same time.
The first party was held in the upstream village, while the second party was held in the downstream village.
Lebai was confused about which party he wanted to go to.
He wanted to enjoy rendang from both villages, but he also knew that he couldn’t be in two places at the same time.
Lebai finally decided to pretend to be sick and sent his wife to one party while he secretly went to another.
He thought he had found the perfect plan.
The next day, Lebai pretended to be sick and lay in bed.
His wife, believing that her husband was really sick, went to a party in the village of Hulu.
Lebai Malang: (lying down with a tired face) Oh, I feel so weak and unwell. Looks like I can’t go to the party today.
Lebai’s wife: (concerned) Gosh, honey. How could it be like this? What happened?
Lebai Malang: (chatting) I don’t know, maybe I do too much activity. But, you know, there are two party invitations that I received today. I’d love to go, but I can’t be in two places at once.
Lebai’s wife: (thinking about a solution) Hmm, maybe I can go on behalf of both of us. Which party is more important to you?
Lebai Malang: (pretending to think) Hmm, it’s hard to choose. How about you go to a party in Hulu village? I heard they will serve amazing rendang.
Lebai’s wife: (excited) OK, honey. I’ll go and bring home delicious rendang for you.
Lebai Malang: (trying to hold back a smile) Thank you, darling. I will rest here. Make sure you enjoy the party in the Hulu village.
The next day, after his wife left, Lebai Malang quickly dressed up and quietly drove to the downstream village to enjoy another party.
His plan to enjoy rendang from both villages seems to be going well, at least according to Lebai Malang.
Meanwhile, Lebai secretly went to a party in the downstream village.
He enjoyed delicious rendang and chatted with the guests.
While Lebai was eating rendang, his wife suddenly came.
His wife was surprised to see Lebai eating rendang.
He knew that Lebai was pretending to be sick.
Lebai’s wife was angry.
He went to a party in Hulu village and told Lebai’s lies to the guests.
Lebai’s wife: (suddenly appears at the downstream village party) Lebai Malang! What are you doing here?
Lebai Malang: (surprised) Oh, darling! I felt somewhat fine, so I thought…
Lebai’s wife: (angry) Don’t pretend in front of me! I know you are not sick! I saw you enjoying rendang here earlier!
Lebai Malang: (trying to explain) Honey, I can explain…
Lebai’s wife: (screaming) No need! I’ve had enough of your lies! Deliberately made me go to the upstream village, while you were partying here!
Guests: (starts whispering)
Lebai’s wife: (approaching guests) My husband pretended to be sick, but in fact he was enjoying the party here! I think you should know the true honesty of Lebai Malang!
Guests: (nodding and whispering)
Lebai’s wife: (screaming) Come on, go home, Lebai Malang! We’ll talk more at home!
Lebai Malang shyly left the downstream village party, followed by sharp glances and whispers from the guests.
His plan to enjoy rendang from both villages turned into a chaotic situation, and Lebai Malang realized that his lies could not continue without consequences.
Guests from the party in the upstream village also arrived at the party in the downstream village.
They beat Lebai and threw him out of the party.
Lebai sat on the terrace of his house, contemplating what had happened.
He regretted lying to his wife and to the guests.
He realized that greed had cost him everything.
Lebai promised himself that he would never lie again.
He will learn to be a better person.
The moral of the story is that greed can cause us to do stupid things that can harm us.
We must learn to control our greed and live honestly and fairly.