Anok Lumang

Anok Lumang is a poor young man who lives in Tanah Sekalawi (present Lebong Regency), Bengkulu Province, Indonesia. In the local language, the name "anok lumang" means "an orphan”. However, with his patience, hard work, and perseverance in praying, Anok Lumang finally marries a beautiful girl who is a daughter of a town ruler.  How is that happening?  Find out in the following story of Anok Lumang!

* * *

Long, long ago in Tanah Kenah Sekalawi, there lived a poor boy.  His parents died when he was still very little. He led a miserable life as his parents left nothing for him, except a ragged hut at a corner of his kampong. In that hut he lived on his own, without any relative and family. What was worse for him, nobody wanted to help him, let alone foster him. Other kids often made fun of him. Nevertheless, Anok Lumang never got mad or held a grudge.

Anok Lumang was really isolated and lonely in the kampong. Everyone seemed to keep away from his hut and him. The boy himself indeed looked terrible with his shredded, ragged clothes.

Time went by so fast. Anok Lumang grew up a strong, handsome guy. He was also known for his piety. Every shalah time he would rush to a mosque to perform prayers together. He was also a good Quran reciter. He learned religion and reciting Quran under Gua’au Abdullah, a religious teacher who just came in the kampong.

One day, after teaching, Gua’au Abdullah asked the boy.

“Anok, how old are you now?” asked Gua’au Abdullah.

Anok looked perplexed.

“What, sir? Why are you asking about my age?” asked Anok Lumang back.

“Nothing. I was just thinking why a young man as good-looking as you has not got married yet. Aren’t there many charming ladies in this kampong?”

 “I’m 18, sir. It’s indeed time for me to marry a lady. But I honestly never think of it. The girls don’t seem to like me either. I am just a poor orphan,” said Anok Lumang.

 “Don’t be disheartened, boy. Be strong and work harder. Don’t forget to stay close to God the Almighty. One day, He will help you,” advised Gua’au Abdullah.

Since then, Anok Lumang worked even harder and prayed more zealously. He woke up in the middle of the night to pray to God. And finally, his perseverance yielded fruits.

One day, whilst taking a rest under a tree after getting exhausted collecting firewood, Anok fell asleep. In his dream, he met a woman dressed in white. She was not young, but obviously pretty, elegant, and charismatic. The woman came up and talked to him.

“O, young man! You work harder and save some money. When you have enough, go try your luck in town. Your fortune is waiting for you there!”

After he woke up, Anok remembered his dream very well and tried to do what the woman told him. He eagerly collected firewood and sold them in the market. Two months later, he had enough money to go to town for the first time in his life.

In town, Anok Lumang did not what to do. But he clearly looked excited to see the liveliness of the people. They all wore nice clothes. Houses were neatly arranged and they were all beautiful. When the night came, Anok began to panic. Somehow, he had no one there, not a single friend. Finally, he decided to sleep in a mosque.

In a few days next, he only strolled down the town’s alleys that he began to run out of money and food. He wanted to come back but what he had was not even enough for that. He decided to stay in town and try to survive.

“I can’t give up. God will help me,” he assured himself.

Several days later, Anok Lumang heard that the mayor was holding a contest. Whoever could cure his daughter, he would be married with her and appointed Head of the Town's Security Staff. However, if he failed, he would be put in jail.

Anok Lumang went to the mayor’s house right away. However, he never thought of taking part in the contest. He only wanted to watch.

When he arrived at the gate of the mayor’s house, the contestants had already crowded the yard, waiting for their turn to try to cure the weak girl inside. He stood at the farthest back, watching the other men go in and out of the house. Long after, there was no one in the yard except Anok. All the contestants had taken their turns but apparently, none of them managed to heal the girl. Anok Lumang stood still in the yard until a guard came up to him. He thought Anok was the last contestant.

“Hey, you rumpled young man! Are you just going to stand there all day long or what? Now is your turn!” said the guard.

Anok Lumang was surprised. He had never intended to take part in the contest. He was so afraid, wanting to leave the place. But when he was about to take a step, his feet felt so heavy, as if they were stuck on the ground. Then, his head nodded like somebody was pushing it from behind. The guard was sure to bring him in right away.

“But remember, young man! If you fail, you’ll be in jail!” thundered the guard.

Anok Lumang felt deterred. But something was pushing him in to try to help the girl. At a loss, he prayed to God before following the guard to get in the grand and spacious house. He was led to a room, in which a charming girl lying weakly with her eyes closed.

“Come in, young man. Do your thing quickly!” said the guard.

Praying to God, Anok moved his hand all over the girl’s body without even touching her. Miraculously, not long after, the girl slowly opened her eyes and tried to sit down on her bad.

“Father, mother! Where are my parents?” said the girl.

The servants in the room were so happy to see their lady come to. She restored her health. Anok Lumang, however, was shaking fearfully. The guards grabbed his arms and took him to a big room inside the house. But then, his fear went away soon as he met the mayor himself, who appeared to be a nice man.

"Thank you, young man. You’ve cured my daughter. Now, would you mind telling me about yourself and where you come from?” asked the mayor.

 “I am Anok Lumang, sir. I come from a kampong far away. I’m here to try my luck in town,” Anok answered briefly.

“All right, Anok Lumang. It doesn’t matter to me where you come from. I will keep my word anyway. I’m going to marry you with my daughter and make you a leader for my security staff," said the mayor.

Anok Lumang could not believe what he just heard. It was such a remarkable feeling he was having. Kneeling with his hands aloof, he said, "Thank you, God, for this blessing.”

A week later, Anok Lumang was married with the girl. The wedding ceremony went on for seven days and seven nights and was attended by so many people. There were dances, music, and foods. People were happy with the couple sitting on the platform.

Anok Lumang was now an important man. Since then, Anok never went unguarded. And of course, his life was well off.

The couple had two children, a boy and a girl. Anok lived with his family in happiness. Then, the memory of his home came across his mind. He wanted to visit his homeland, taking his family along.

One day, Anok Lumang spoke to his parent-in-laws about his intention. They let him go with his family for it had been years indeed. So he went to his homeland several days later. As he and entourage arrived there, the villagers were startled. Never did they see a man of abundant wealth come to their kampong.

“Who is that rich man?" asked a man.

“Hei, lihat! Rombongan menuju ke gubuk Anok Lumang!” seru seorang warga lainnya.

“Look! They’re heading to Anok Lumang’s hut!” shouted another man.

“What? That’s ridiculous?” responded one of people.

Not long after, the entourage stopped before Anok Lumang’s hut, which nearly collapsed.

“My husband, why do we stop here?” wondered Anok Lumang’s wife.

“This was where I lived, my dear. I was born in this hut,” answered Anok Lumang, followed by a smile.

They were all surprised. They never thought that Anok Lumang had used to live in a ragged hut. But then, Anok Lumang's wife commanded her guards to get some more people and build a proper house upon the land.

It was a shock when Anok Lumang revealed himself to the people. They could not believe the rich man was the poor orphan they used to make fun of. They were ashamed of what they had done but Anok remained humble and warm. He forgave them all.

Since then, Anok Lumang often visited his village with his wife and two children. He was highly respected by the people for he always tried to help those in need. Slowly, people knew his name for his noble heart and generosity.

* * *

Thus the story of Anok Lumang ends. It can be categorized into an exemplary tale that contains morals we can learn from. There are at least two morals in the story, namely the importance of hard work and perseverance, and that one should not hold a grudge and be generous.

Anok Lumang works hard, stays patient, and steadily prays to God the Almighty. His perseverance yields sweet fruits as he finally marries the mayor’s daughter and holds an important position as head of the town’s security staff.

apa tanda Melayu beradat, (What shows a Malay honors traditions)
bekerja rajin, beramal pun taat (He works diligently, and always helps the needy)

 apa tanda Melayu beradat, (What shows a Malay honors traditions)
bekerja dengan penuh semangat (He does his work keenly)

 wahai ananda dengarlah pesan, (O child, listen up)
dalam bekerja banyakkan ingat (remember this while working)
jangan dikira ringan dan berat (never mind a work's easiness or difficultness)
semoga hidupmu beroleh berkah (may your life be blessed)

Anok Lumang, even after becoming a rich man, never wants to get even with his childhood's neighbors who often mock him. Instead, he generously helps them and tries to be kind so that people respect him.

 adat hidup bermasyarakat, (living with other people)
pantang sekali berdendam kesumat (a grudge you should never keep)

 apa tanda Melayu terpuji, (what shows a Malay is noble)
dendam mendendam pantang sekali (he stays away from begrudging)
tangan pemurah suka memberi (generous, he likes to give to others) 

wahai ananda sibiran tulang, (O child, my sweetheart)
janganlah ragu memaafkan orang (never hesitate in forgiving)
sengketa habis dendam dibuang (when a problem is solve, no more hard feelings)
hati pemurah hidupmu dikasihi orang (with a merciful heart, people will love your life)

(Samsuni/sas/134/03-09)

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