THE ORIGIN of SAMPURAGA POND

Long ago in Padang Bolak, North Sumatra, there lived a widow with her son named Sampuraga. They lived in a small shack in the woods. Every day, they worked hard as laborers on a farm owned by a wealthy man. One day, while Sampuraga and his boss were resting, leaning against a tree after a long day's work, they began to talk.

While enjoying their lunch, the boss asked, "Sampuraga, you're still young. Why don’t you move to a prosperous land and find a better job?"

Sampuraga was an honest and diligent young man. Because of this, the boss cared for him and wanted a better life for him.

"Actually, I’ve been dreaming of moving to find a better life. I want to make my mother happy. But where should I go?" asked Sampuraga.

"You should go to Mandailing. A friend of mine lives there. Most of the residents have farms and fields. They also pan for gold in the river because it has a high gold content," said the boss.

This conversation made Sampuraga decide to follow his boss's suggestion.

Back in his hut, Sampuraga told his mother about his decision.

"Mom, I want to move to seek a better life. Here, I will always be an employee and work for others. I want to go somewhere else and try my luck," Sampuraga said to his mother.

"Where are you going, son?" his mother asked.

"I'm thinking about Mandailing. The boss told me that people in Mandailing prosper because of the fertile soil," Sampuraga replied.

His mother knew that Sampuraga had made up his mind, and nothing could change his decision.

"Although I’m afraid of being separated from you, especially as I get older, I have no reason to stop you. I’m sorry I was never able to make you happy," said his mother.

"Thank you, Mom! I promise I will come back soon if I succeed. Please pray for me, Mom," Sampuraga said, seeking his mother's blessing.

The next day, Sampuraga set out on his journey to Mandailing, leaving his mother alone. Days passed as he traveled through the woods and villages. One day, he reached a town in the Pidoli Kingdom, in Mandailing. There, he tried to apply for a job, and a rich merchant accepted his proposal. The merchant had great confidence in him because he was a diligent and honest young man. After a year, the boss gave him some financial capital so he could start his own business. His business grew rapidly in a short time. He reinvested some of the profits to expand the business further. Eventually, he became known as a wealthy young businessman.

The merchant was very proud of Sampuraga. One day, he asked Sampuraga if he was interested in marrying his daughter.

"Sampuraga, you are an honest and diligent man. Would you like to marry my daughter?" the merchant asked.

"Of course, sir," Sampuraga replied.

The merchant's daughter was known as the most beautiful girl in the Pidoli Kingdom.

They were married in a lavish wedding ceremony. All the preparations had begun months before the wedding day. Ten buffaloes and goats were provided for the party. Everyone knew about the grand wedding, including Sampuraga's mother, who heard about it from a passing merchant from Mandailing.

"Is it true? Maybe it's just someone with the same name," she thought, doubting.

How could it be possible for her son to marry a beautiful girl from a wealthy family, while he was just the son of a poor widow? But Sampuraga's mother still wanted to make sure, so she traveled to Mandailing to witness the wedding. When she arrived in the Pidoli Kingdom, the wedding party had already started. It was very crowded and noisy. She tried to get closer in the crowd. She was shocked when she saw the groom sitting next to the beautiful bride. It was her son, Sampuraga.

"Raga...! Sampuraga, my son!" she cried out, trying to get Sampuraga's attention.

Sampuraga was startled to hear a familiar voice.

"Oh... it can't be," he thought, searching for the source of the voice amidst the crowd.

Then he saw an old woman running toward him.

"Sampuraga, my son! I'm your mother!" said the old woman as she tried to embrace Sampuraga.

But Sampuraga was very embarrassed to see his own mother. His face turned red with shame.

"Hey, old woman! Don’t pretend to be my mother! I don’t have a mother like you! Get out of here now! Don’t ruin my party!" he shouted angrily.

His mother was shocked by Sampuraga's reaction.

"Raga... Sampuraga. I am your mother. How can you forget your own mother?" she started to cry.

"No! You're not my mother! She’s dead! Guards, take this old woman out of here!" Sampuraga ordered his guards.

His heart had completely hardened as he denied and banished his own mother. All the guests remained silent; no one dared to intervene. The old woman was then dragged away by two guards out of the party.

While still crying, she prayed, "Dear God... If he’s truly my son, Sampuraga, please punish him for denying me."

Suddenly, the sky turned dark, and thick clouds covered it. Rain fell, followed by a storm. All the guests tried to run away, but they couldn’t escape the storm. Within a short time, no one was safe, including Sampuraga and his wife.

In the days that followed, the place was transformed into a hot water pool surrounded by limestone formations that resembled buffaloes. There were also two piles of sand and colorful mud that looked like the food offered at Sampuraga’s wedding. People later called it "Kolam Sampuraga" or Sampuraga’s Pond.