The Legend of Batu Bagga (Bagga Stone)
A long time ago on the island of Sulawesi, there lived a man named Intobu. He lived alone with his only child, a son named Impalak. They were poor, and their daily work was as fishermen. Every night, they went to sea to catch fish, even in bad weather.
Intobu always advised his son, "Fishing is our only source of income. Don’t take the bad weather as our enemy."
Impalak nodded. "Yes, Father," he said.
Intobu and Impalak worked as fishermen for many years, but Impalak started to feel bored with the job. He wanted to try something new and make a better life for his father and himself. One day, Impalak decided to talk to his father about his desires.
"Father, please forgive me," Impalak said hesitantly.
"What is it, my son?" Intobu asked, curious about his son’s strange behavior.
"Dad, I actually want to stop working as a fisherman. I want to go abroad and try something else," said Impalak.
Intobu was saddened to hear his son’s decision, but he also wanted Impalak to be successful.
"If that's your decision, I can't do anything but let you go. I can only pray for your safety and success," said Intobu. "But I want you to always remember your homeland and always remember your father," he continued.
"Yes, Father. I'll remember. Thank you," said Impalak excitedly.
The next day, Impalak went to the harbor. He saw a Bagga (sailboat) and went to speak with the owner.
"Excuse me, sir. May I know if I can sail with you?" Impalak asked.
The Bagga owner was silent for a moment. "It’s not a problem for me. But why do you want to sail with me, and have you asked permission from your parents?" the owner of the Bagga asked.
"I work here as a fisherman with my father, but I want to try my luck abroad. My father agreed with my plan," said Impalak.
"Okay, I'll sail tomorrow. Meet me here in the morning. And by the way, what's your name?" asked the Bagga owner.
"Thank you, sir. My name is Impalak," replied Impalak happily.
Back at his home, Impalak told his father about the Bagga.
"When are you leaving?" Intobu asked.
"Tomorrow, Father," replied Impalak.
The next morning, Impalak went to the harbor with his father. The Bagga was ready to sail.
"Quick, Impalak!" the Bagga owner shouted.
Impalak kissed his father's hand. "I will, Dad. Be careful," said Impalak.
"Go, my son. My blessing is with you," said Intobu.
There were tears in his eyes as he watched the Bagga leave the port.
Several years passed. Whenever Intobu saw a Bagga, he always hoped that his son would return. But there was no news at all from Impalak. One day, Intobu went fishing as usual. He used a small boat and headed into open water near the harbor. But then he saw a Bagga headed for the port.
When the Bagga was getting close to Intobu's canoe, he saw a handsome young man standing on the front deck of the Bagga. The young man was accompanied by his lovely wife. Intobu recognized the young man—it was Impalak, his son.
Impalak heard his father’s shouts, but he ignored them.
"Dear, someone is calling your name. Is that your father?" asked his wife.
"No, he’s not my father. Ignore him, honey," Impalak said, ashamed to admit his old father in front of his beautiful wife.
Intobu tried to paddle the canoe closer to the Bagga, but suddenly there was a big wave in the ocean. Intobu's boat was hit by the waves and nearly capsized.
"Help... Help me... Impalak, help...!" Intobu screamed, asking for help from his son.
But Impalak ignored his father. He even turned the Bagga in the opposite direction from Intobu’s canoe.
Intobu's heart broke at his son’s cruelty. His sorrow was mixed with sadness and anger.
He looked at the sky and prayed, "Oh, God, please hear my prayer. I curse this rebellious son and his Bagga to turn into stone."
Not long after Intobu’s prayer, a storm came and struck Impalak’s Bagga. The wind blew so hard that it pushed the Bagga toward the shore. Suddenly, both the Bagga and Impalak turned to stone. The stone still exists today, and people call it Batu Bagga (Bagga Stone).
.jpg)
