The story of Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup, a legend that is embedded in the hearts of the Malay people, especially in Malaysia, brings us to reflect on the touching story of love, patience and courage of a husband and wife.
On the slopes of Berapit Hill, the stretch of land where Si Kantan and Si Tanjung live is a silent witness to their struggle.
In a life full of limitations, Si Kantan and Si Tanjung tirelessly earn a living by weaving nipa palm roofs, working in the rice fields, weaving mats, and catching river fish.
Every sweat they shed becomes a step towards their dream of having their own land and a comfortable home.
Kantan: Ayu, let’s go to the edge of the forest to look for vegetables.
We need extra food for today.
The Tanjung: OK, husband.
I brought a basket to hold the vegetables we picked.
(They walked towards the edge of the forest, and while they were busy picking shrike leaves, they heard a loud and scary sound.)
The Kantan: (stops his activities) Listen, Tanjung. What’s that?
Tanjung: (holds Kantan’s hand) I’m listening too.
Is that a strange sound?
The Kantan: (looking towards the sound) That is the Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup cave.
As my grandfather told me before.
Si Tanjung: (thumping) Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup Cave? What should we do?
The Kantan: (calming) Don’t worry, Tanjung.
We pray and continue looking for vegetables. We will not be disturbed by these spirits if we live a good life.
(A few years later, in their simple house)
Si Tanjung: (smiling seeing Si Bunga Melur and Si Pekan playing) Our children are a great blessing, even though their father has left us.
Melur Flower: Mom, why doesn’t Dad ever come home?
Si Tanjung: Dad has gone to heaven, son. But he is always in our hearts.
Si Pekan: I will be strong like Dad later!
Si Tanjung: (smiles and hugs them) Yes, you will definitely become strong.
We must get through all these trials together.
One day, Si Tanjung managed to hook a tuna fish after he craved the fish’s eggs.
He told Melur to boil the fish eggs while he went to take a shower.
Si Tanjung: (smiling) Wow, today we are really lucky, Melur. Dad managed to hook the tuna fish we dreamed of.
Si Melur: (happy) That’s right, Mother. I’ll cook it now, so Dad can enjoy it after bathing.
(Si Tanjung goes to take a shower, and Si Melur begins to boil the eggs of the tuna fish.)
Si Pekan: (peeking) Hmmm, very fragrant. I want to eat fish eggs!
Si Melur: (smiling) Wait a moment, Sis. Mom will definitely share later.
(Si Melur serves some of the tuna fish eggs to Si Pekan and keeps the rest for his mother.)
Si Pekan: (whining) I want more! Mom will definitely be able to get some more later.
Si Melur: (doubtful) Sis, this is Mother’s part. It’s rude to insist.
Si Pekan: (crying) I want side dishes, mother!
Si Melur got a chicken egg to use as a substitute for her mother’s fish eggs.
Si Pekan’s actions caused Si Tanjung to feel annoyed, disappointed and very humiliated.
Tanjung: (without thinking) I have to get help! (starts running and calls the name Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup)
Melur Flower: (continues running towards Tanjung) Mother! Don’t go, Mother!
The Tanjung: (looks away for a moment) Melur, guard Pekan! I have to do something to save your mother.
Melur Flower: (pauses) But, Mother…
Si Tanjung: (in a firm tone) Take care of your sister, Melur. I will be back.
(The Tanjung continued running and reached the door of the stone cave, but unfortunately, it was too late.)
The Tanjung: (calling out in despair) Batu Belah Batu Berkupkup, help!
(The rock remained still, and Si Tanjung felt despair. Meanwhile, Si Bunga Melur and Si Pekan continued to chase, but their steps were not as fast as their mother.)
Melur Flower: (cries full of despair) Mother! Don’t leave us!
Si Pekan: (crying) Mother…
(Until finally, Si Tanjung actually reached the cave door, but his mother had disappeared inside.)
Si Tanjung: (in a choked voice) No… Mother…
(The Melur, who reached the place, saw his mother who had been swallowed by the stone, and he fell unconscious on the ground.)
Melur Flower: (dreaming, in a mysterious situation)
Mysterious Old Man: (appears in his dream) O Melur Flower, listen to my words carefully.
Melur Flower: Who are you?
Mysterious Old Man: I am the guardian of spirits, sent to give advice.
Don’t go back to your house, my son. Instead, take seven loose strands of your mother’s hair and bring chicken eggs to serve as a side dish for your mother.
Melur Flower: (confused) Why should I do that?
Mysterious Old Man: It is part of your destiny.
Every time you want to sleep, walk along your feet and burn a strand of your mother’s hair. This will protect you and your sister.
Si Melur, with the support of Si Pekan, pushed through the jungle and bushes until finally arriving at Dato’ Penghulu’s house.
The old man, full of compassion, offered to look after them.
Si Bunga Melur, in her dream, was visited by the same figure and advised to continue her journey to the third village.
Si Bunga Melur and her younger brother Si Pekan continued their journey until they arrived at Kampung Bukit Perah Lantan, they met Tok Batin who served them well.
Tok Batin stroked his white beard while looking at Si Pekan who was sobbing.
Tok Batin: “Never mind, Pekan. It’s okay. Our ancestors really liked to play hide and seek with the little ones.”
Melur Flower: “That’s right, Tok? My sister was kidnapped and lost, wasn’t she playing hide and seek?”
Tok Batin: “Life is full of secrets, Melur. What we see is not necessarily what happens.
What is lost may return, and what is hidden may be revealed.”
Tok Batin took out a piece of yellow iron and put it around Si Pekan’s neck.
Si Pekan’s cries slowly subsided.
Morning in Bukit Kapar Village:
Bunga Melur sat cross-legged on the floor of a farmer’s hut, listening solemnly to the story about Ratu Jayang Sakti.
Farmer: “Every full moon, Queen Jayang Sakti holds a cockfight. Her rooster is never defeated. Many people are curious, even kings from other countries come to compete.”
Melur Flower: “Is the chicken magical too?”
Farmer: “They say the chicken is a descendant of the God of the Gorge. Its feathers shine, its nails are sharp, and its eyes are bright red. No chicken dares to approach it.”
Melur Flower: (Holding the yellow iron necklace around his neck) “Maybe there is a way to defeat him.”
Farmer: (Looking at Melur Flower with a suspicious look) “Don’t be too reckless, young man. Ratu Jayang Sakti is not an easy opponent.”
Bunga Melur and his sister continued their journey and arrived at Kerayung Tamarulan Village
Si Bunga Melur: (talking to Si Pekan as he continues his journey) Pekan, we only have one more village left before we arrive. Hopefully in this village we can get help.
Si Pekan: (nods) I’m sure we will get help, Sis.
(After some time, they arrived at Kampung Kerayung Tamarulan and met Grandma Kebayan.)
Grandma Kebayan: (smiles kindly) Hi, kids. What brings you guys here?
The Melur Flower: (tells the story sadly) We lost our house and our mother has… disappeared.
Si Pekan: (crying) We don’t have a place to live anymore.
Grandma Kebayan: (sympathetic) Oh, what a shame. Don’t worry, kids. You can stay with me here. I will take care of you guys.
Melur Flower: (moved) Thank you, Grandma. We are very grateful for your help.
Grandma Kebayan: (touching their heads) You are like my own grandchildren. Come on, come inside. I will give you a place to stay and enough food.
(They enter with Grandma Kebayan, finding a safe and friendly place in Kampung Kerayung Tamarulan, where the story of their journey continues a new chapter.)
That night, Bunga Melur once again dreamed of being visited by the same old man.
Mysterious Old Man: (appears in his dream) O Melur Flower, again I come with an important message.
Melur Flower: (looking curiously) What message do you bring this time?
Mysterious Old Man: Put the eggs you brought in the chicken cage behind the house. In seven days, the egg will hatch. Take care of the chick as best you can.
Melur Flower: (nods in understanding) OK, I’ll do it.
Mysterious Old Man: And now, I have a prediction about the Weeknd. He will become a famous chicken champion. When the time to fight comes, put the yellow iron necklace on the chicken’s spurs.
Melur Flower: (surprised) What? Famous chicken champion?
Mysterious Old Man: Yes, and you have the responsibility to guard his fate. Don’t forget, my son.
(The Melur Flower wakes up with various questions in her mind, pondering the meaning of the message from the mysterious old man in her dream.)
Melur Flower: (whispering to himself) Chicken eggs and the yellow iron of Si Pekan’s necklace… Will all this be our fate?
Several years have passed and both of them have become teenagers.
Si Bunga Melur looks so beautiful and is clever at making flowers and other woven items for Grandma Kebayan to sell while Si Pekan always wins in the cockfighting arena.
In the last seconds, Si Pekan received a special invitation to compete with Ayam Raja in a magnificent palace.
There, fate brought him to meet the Bukit Berapit Starling Chicken, a fierce rival he never expected.
The bet is not only limited to status, Si Pekan is willing to become a servant if he is defeated, but on the other hand, he wants to win prizes of delicious food and luxurious clothes from a sparkling kingdom.
The atmosphere is tense, and one fight will change Si Pekan’s fate dramatically.
King: Welcome, Si Pekan, to this palace. You know, your extraordinary courage makes me want to see you fight with me.
Si Pekan: Thank you for your invitation, Ayam Raja. I am ready to accept this challenge.
King: Well, the bet is set. If you win, you are entitled to food and clothing from this palace. However, if you lose, you will become my servant.
Si Pekan: (steadfast) I accept the conditions. I will fight with everything I have.
(There was silence for a moment, then they got ready to start the fight that would determine Si Pekan’s fate in the magnificent palace.)
Bentara: (facing Hulubalang) Hulubalang, the action of the Si Pekan chicken is truly extraordinary this time. The King’s chicken was killed by its claws.
Hulubalang: Yes, that’s right. It turns out that the courage and strength of the Si Pekan chicken cannot be taken lightly.
Now, we have to fulfill orders to bring food and clothes to Grandma Kebayan’s house.
(Bentara and Hulubalang went to bring food and clothes to Grandma Kebayan’s house. There, they were amazed by the beauty and character of Si Bunga Melur, Si Pekan’s older sister.)
Herald: Grandma Kebayan, we brought food and clothes according to the King’s orders.
Grandma Kebayan: Thank you, my children. However, I see you guys are stunned to see Melur Flower, right?
Hulubalang: Yes, Grandma. The beauty and politeness of Si Bunga Melur is extraordinary. Truly worthy of respect.
(Grandma Kebayan smiled and looked at the Melur Flower with great pride.)
Grandma Kebayan: All right, my children, go and convey this news to the King. Tell me that Bunga Melur will soon be heading to the palace.
(The Bentara and Hulubalang returned to the palace and conveyed the news to the King. Bunga Melur was finally invited to the palace and with her charm and politeness, she managed to steal the King’s heart.)
King: (fascinated) Melur Flower, you are so stunning. I want you to be my queen.
Melur Flower: (humbles) King, I will try to be a good empress for you.
Finally, Bunga Melur was married to the King and appointed as empress.
One day the king saw Bunga Melur moping and always pensive. The king wanted to know what his queen would think if he saw his wife in such a way.
King: (faces grimly) Melur Flower, I see your face full of worry. Is there something bothering you?
The Melur Flower: (smiles faintly) The King, actually there is a story that might explain my feelings right now.
King: (pulls a chair to sit down) Tell me, Melur Flower. What makes you anxious?
The Bunga Melur: (clears throat) This is about Batu Belah Berangkup Batu. When I was little, my mother was attacked by a rock.
King: (surprised) Really? What happened?
Si Melur told all about the incident about Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup which swallowed his mother.
The king’s entourage came to the front of the stone cave and the king himself shot an arrow into the scary cave.
Since then, there have been no more scary sounds or any movement from the stone.