Once upon a time, in a small fishing village on the western coast of Sumatra, there lived a poor couple. They lived with their only child, a little boy named Malin Kundang. They lived humbly in a simple hut near the sea. Life was hard, and every day, they worked tirelessly to support themselves and Malin, hoping that one day he would grow up to become a successful man.

Malin is a child who really likes to play, but also kind and helpful. He loved his parents dearly and often helped them with their daily chores. Though they were poor, they were happy as long as they had each other. However, Malin often dreamed of a better life. Every day, he would sit by the shore and watch the great ships sail in and out of the harbor, wondering what it would be like to travel the world and seek his fortune beyond the sea.

One day, Malin Kundang's father wanted to go abroad. It is said that the neighboring country is prosperous and making money there is very easy. "I am leaving, Malin!" Said Malin's father. "Yes Dad!" Malin Kundang's father immediately boarded the ship with the other residents who wanted to migrate.

Years passed, now Malin was a teenager, a large merchant ship arrived at the port. The sailors were hiring young men to work aboard the ship as helpers. Malin saw this as a golden opportunity. He rushed home and said to his mother, “Mother, please let me go with them. I want to work on that ship and earn money for us. I promise I’ll come back and make you proud.”

His Mother was shocked. Her heart ached at the thought of being separated from her only child. “Malin, you are all I have, I'm afraid you will not return just like your father did!” she said, her eyes filled with tears. “The sea is dangerous, and you are still so young.”

But Malin was determined. He begged her with all his heart, and after many days of pleading, his Mother finally agreed. She packed some food and clothes for him, hugged him tightly, and said, “Go, my son. May God protect you. But never forget your mother. Never forget where you come from.”

He sneaked onto the ship, and hid in a wooden chest. At first, life on the ship was not easy. He had to work hard—scrubbing decks, carrying goods, and obeying the orders of his superiors. But Malin was smart, diligent, and ambitious. Over time, he gained the trust of the captain and the merchants.

An unexpected accident happened, the ship's crew were killed by the pirates, and they seized all the essential items on board, and the ship was abandoned at sea. "We are under attack! We are under attack!!" luckily, Malin Kundang survived because he was sleeping behind.

When he came out from hiding, the ship was stranded on a beach. Luckily, there was a lush and rich village near the beach. The port was large and crowded, Malin Kundang smiled even though his body was weak and he felt exhausted, "Here I can try my luck!" Said Malin.

Years passed, now Malin's became a successful young man, known for his intelligence and charm. In one distant land, he met a beautiful and noble woman, the daughter of a wealthy merchant. They fell in love, and eventually, they got married. Malin now lived in luxury, surrounded by wealth, and completely forgot about his poor mother back in the village.

Back home, his mother waited patiently for her son. Every day, she would go down to the beach, hoping to see a ship that would bring Malin back to her. As the years went by, people in the village began to whisper that Malin had become rich and powerful, but he never returned. Still, his mother held on to hope. One day, Malin and his wife decided to visit Malin's hometown on a luxury ship.