075. The Legend of Catfish - Legenda Ikan Patin


In ancient times, in Tanah Melayu lived an old fisherman named Awang Gading. He lived alone on the edge of a broad, clear river. While living alone, Awang Gading is always happy. He was grateful for every blessing given by God. His days were spent working fishing and look for wood in the forest.

One day, Awang Gading fishing in the river. While chanting merrily, his waiting hook. The birds are chirping helped add to the excitement Awang Gading. It is many times eaten bait fish, but when the hook pulled, fish apart again.

"The tide swallow to the gills, the water receded swallowed into the stomach, grabs ...! Let me do noise broke, "sings sounds Awang Gading throwing his line back.

Slowly the day went in the evening, but no fish were obtained. "How fortunate I did not today," complained Awang Gading. He was rushed to clean equipment and intend pole home. Suddenly, he heard a baby crying. Curious, Awang Gading seek the origin of the sound. Shortly thereafter, Awang Gading saw a girl lying on a rock. Apparently he had just been born by his mother.

"The child who is he? Pity, left alone by the river, "murmured Awang Gading then took the girl home. The night was also facing the Awang Gading village elders to show baby finds.

"Blessed Awang, because you believed the king river dwellers to maintain their children. Treat him well, "Village Elders message.

The next day, Awang Gading syuk held for the presence of a baby in the middle of his life. Awang invited all his neighbors. Awang Gading gave the baby a name Dayang Kumunah.

"Lady dear, my a .... Hurry up to be a girl's dream, "sang Awang Gading while cradling Lady Kumunah. Since the presence of Dayang, Awang grow diligent work. Awang give love and attention to Dayang abundant. Various knowledge be taught to Dayang. Not to forget the lessons of character is also given. Sometimes he invited Dayang find wood or fish to get to know nature more closely. Dayang Kumunah grown into a very beautiful girl and virtuous. He also diligently to help his father. Unfortunately, Dayang Kumunah never laughed.

One day, a rich young man named Awangku Usop Awang Gading stop at home. He was stunned to see the beauty Dayang Kumunah. Soon Dayang Awangku Usop apply in Awang Gading. Application Awangku Usop acceptable, but Dayang Kumunah conditions apply.

"Kanda Usop, we actually come from two different worlds. I come from the river and have different habits with humans. I will be a good wife, but do not ask me to laugh, "pleaded Lady Kumunah. Awangku Usop approve these terms.

Their wedding was held at a very festive party. All the neighbors and relatives of the bride and groom are invited. Meals are available in abundance. The entire invitation was happy to see the couple. Dayang Kumunah a very pretty girl and Awangku Usop a very handsome young man. It's a perfect match.

Dayang Kumunah and Awangku Usop live happily. However, their happiness did not last long. A few weeks after the wedding, Awang Gading died. To months Dayang Kumunah sad though Awang Usop always tries his heart is happy. Fortunately, sadness Dayang Kumunah immediately relieved with the birth of children of five. Although it now has five children, Awangku Usop feel happiness is not complete before seeing Lady Kumunah laugh.

One day, the youngest daughter began to walk with limping. All the family members look happy laugh, but Dayang Kumunah. Awangku Usop asked Dayang Kumunah to laugh. Dayang Kumunah reject it, but her husband kept pushing. Finally, Dayang laughed. When laughter is, behold, at the mouth of the fish gills Dayang Kumunah signifying his descent fish. After that, Dayang immediately ran to the river. Awangku Usop and their children wonder and followed him. Dayang's body slowly turned into a fish. Awangku Usop and children left behind. Awangku Usop has reneged on his promise to ask Lady Kumunah laugh.

Awangku Usop soon realized his err and apologized. He asked Dayang Kumunah return to their homes. However, it was too late. Dayang has been plunged into a river. She has a beautiful fish with body shape and shiny skin without scales. Her face resembles a human expression. Her tail as if a pair of crossed legs. People call it catfish.

Awangku Usop and children are very sad. They promised not to eat catfish because they are regarded as family. That is why there are some people who do not eat Malay catfish.


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Pada zaman dahulu, di Tanah Melayu hidup seorang nelayan tua bernama Awang Gading. Dia tinggal sendirian di tepi sebuah sungai yang luas dan jernih. Walaupun hidup seorang diri, Awang Gading selalu berbahagia. Dia mensyukuri setiap nikmat yang diberikan Tuhan. Hari-harinya dihabiskan untuk bekerja mencari ikan dan mencari kayu di hutan. 

Suatu hari, Awang Gading mancing di sungai. Sambil berdendang riang, dia menunggui kailnya. Burung-burung turut berkicau menambah kegembiraan Awang Gading. Sudah berkali-kali umpannya dimakan ikan, namun saat kailnya ditarik, ikannya terlepas lagi.

"Air pasang telan ke insang, air surut telan ke perut, renggutlah ...! Biar putus jangan ribut,” terdengar dendang Awang Gading sambil melempar pancingnya kembali.
Perlahan hari beranjak petang, namun tak seekor ikan pun diperolehnya. “Alangkah tidak beruntungnya diriku hari ini,” keluh Awang Gading. Ia bergegas membereskan peralatan pancingnya dan berniat pulang. Tiba-tiba terdengar tangisan bayi. Dengan penasaran, Awang Gading mencari asal suara tersebut. Tak lama kemudian, Awang Gading melihat bayi perempuan tergolek di atas batu. Rupanya dia baru saja dilahirkan oleh ibunya.
"Anak siapa gerangan? Kasihan, ditinggal seorang diri di tepi sungai,” gumam Awang Gading kemudian membawa pulang bayi perempuan tersebut. Malam itu juga Awang Gading menghadap tetua kampungnya untuk memperlihatkan bayi yang ditemukannya.
"Berbahagialah Awang, karena kamu dipercaya raja penghuni sungai untuk memelihara anaknya. Rawatlah dia dengan baik,” pesan Tetua Kampung.

Keesokan harinya, Awang Gading mengadakan tasyakuran atas hadirnya bayi di tengah kehidupannya. Awang mengundang seluruh tetangganya. Awang Gading memberi nama bayi tersebut Dayang Kumunah.

“Dayang sayang, anakku seorang .... Cepatlah besar menjadi gadis dambaan,” dendang Awang Gading saat menimang-nimang Dayang Kumunah. Sejak kehadiran Dayang, Awang bertambah rajin bekerja. Awang memberikan kasih sayang dan perhatian yang melimpah untuk Dayang. Berbagai pengetahuan yang dimiliki ditularkannya kepada Dayang. Tak lupa pelajaran budi pekerti juga diberikannya. Kadang diajaknya Dayang mencari kayu atau mengail untuk mengenal alam secara lebih dekat. Dayang Kumunah tumbuh menjadi gadis yang sangat cantik dan berbudi. Dia juga rajin membantu bapaknya. Sayang, Dayang Kumunah tidak pernah tertawa.

Suatu hari, seorang pemuda kaya bernama Awangku Usop singgah di rumah Awang Gading. Dia terpesona saat melihat kecantikan Dayang Kumunah. Tak lama kemudian Awangku Usop melamar Dayang pada Awang Gading. Lamaran Awangku Usop diterima, tetapi Dayang Kumunah mengajukan syarat.

"Kanda Usop, sebenarnya kita berasal dari dua dunia yang berbeda. Saya berasal dari sungai dan mempunyai kebiasaan yang berlainan dengan manusia. Saya akan menjadi seorang istri yang baik, tetapi jangan minta saya untuk tertawa,” pinta Dayang Kumunah. Awangku Usop menyetujui syarat tersebut.

Pernikahan mereka diadakan dengan pesta yang sangat meriah. Semua tetangga dan kerabat kedua mempelai diundang. Aneka hidangan tersedia dengan melimpah. Seluruh undangan gembira menyaksikan pasangan pengantin itu. Dayang Kumunah gadis yang sangat cantik dan Awangku Usop seorang pemuda yang sangat tampan. Sungguh pasangan yang serasi. 

Awangku Usop dan Dayang Kumunah hidup berbahagia. Namun, kebahagiaan mereka tak berlangsung lama. Beberapa minggu setelah pernikahan, Awang Gading meninggal dunia. Hingga berbulan-bulan Dayang Kumunah bersedih meskipun Awang Usop selalu berusaha membahagiakan hati istrinya tersebut. Untunglah, kesedihan Dayang Kumunah segera terobati dengan kelahiran anak-anaknya yang berjumlah lima orang. Meskipun kini telah memiliki lima orang anak, Awangku Usop merasa kebahagiaannya belum lengkap sebelum melihat Dayang Kumunah tertawa.

Suatu hari, anak bungsu mereka mulai dapat berjalan dengan tertatih-tatih. Semua anggota keluarga tertawa bahagia melihatnya, kecuali Dayang Kumunah. Awangku Usop meminta Dayang Kumunah untuk tertawa. Dayang Kumunah menolaknya, namun suaminya terus mendesak. Akhirnya, Dayang pun tertawa. Saat tertawa itu, tampaklah insang ikan di mulut Dayang Kumunah yang menandakan ia keturunan ikan. Setelah itu, Dayang segera berlari ke sungai. Awangku Usop beserta anak-anaknya heran dan mengikutinya. Perlahan-lahan tubuh Dayang berubah menjadi ikan. Awangku Usop dan anak-anaknya ditinggalkannya. Awangku Usop telah mengingkari janjinya dengan meminta Dayang Kumunah tertawa.

Awangku Usop segera menyadari kekhilafannya dan meminta maaf. Dia meminta Dayang Kumunah kembali ke rumah mereka. Namun, semua sudah terlambat. Dayang telah terjun ke sungai. Dia telah menjadi ikan dengan bentuk badan cantik dan kulit mengkilap tanpa sisik. Mukanya menyerupai raut manusia. Ekornya seolah-olah sepasang kaki yang bersilang. Orang-orang menyebutnya ikan patin. Awangku Usop dan anak-anaknya sangat bersedih. Mereka berjanji tidak akan makan ikan patin karena dianggap sebagai keluarga mereka. Itulah sebabnya ada sebagian orang Melayu yang tidak makan ikan patin.


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