LEGEND OF CENTIPEDE LAKE

Once upon a time, the region of Muara Kaman was a vast sea, home to an ancient and powerful kingdom known as the Kingdom of Muara Kaman. This kingdom thrived by utilizing the sea to build a bustling port, sending ships to foreign lands. It was not only known as a vital trade center, but also for its natural beauty and the renowned beauty of its princess, Princess Aji Berdarah Putih.

Princess Aji was given the name "Darah Putih" (White Blood) because her skin was so pale that if she drank betel leaf water, the red color of the liquid could be seen moving down her throat. Her extraordinary beauty and graceful personality made her name known even in distant lands.

News of Princess Aji's beauty eventually reached the ears of a king from China. Attracted by the stories he heard, the Chinese king decided to propose to her. Hoping to make a grand impression, he gathered his soldiers and officials into large ships and set sail for Muara Kaman.

When news of the Chinese king's arrival reached Princess Aji, she immediately arranged a magnificent welcoming feast. The palace was adorned with brightly colored fabrics, and palace servants prepared the finest dishes to welcome the esteemed guest. On the appointed day, the royal harbor was filled with citizens eager to see the arrival of the Chinese entourage.

In the palace, Princess Aji awaited with great anticipation. When the Chinese king arrived, he was greeted with dances, music, and delicious food. The king seemed impressed with the warm welcome, but soon, Princess Aji began to see a different side of him.

As the banquet continued, Princess Aji observed the Chinese king closely. To her surprise, the king began eating in a very unusual way. He took food directly from his bowl with his mouth, not using his hands.

Princess Aji whispered to her maid, "Look at how the Chinese king behaves like an animal. He doesn't even know how to eat properly."

Her maid, an elderly woman named Siti, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Your Highness. Such behavior is unfit for a king."

The princess felt disgusted. "What a pity, I welcomed him so grandly," she muttered, casting a sharp glance at the Chinese king.

After the feast ended, the Chinese king stood and arrogantly proposed to Princess Aji in front of everyone. "Princess Aji Berdarah Putih, I have come from afar to ask for your hand in marriage. Be my queen, and together we will rule both our lands."

However, Princess Aji firmly refused. "I do not wish to become the consort of a king who lacks proper manners," she replied. "Your behavior at the dining table alone shows who you are. I cannot accept your proposal."

The Chinese king's face turned red with anger and embarrassment. He felt humiliated in front of all his officials. "You dare to refuse the proposal of a great king of China? You will regret this!" he shouted. With burning anger, he immediately left the palace and returned to his ship.

However, deep down, the Chinese king could not accept the rejection. "I will not let this insult go unanswered," he muttered, clenching his fist. "I will return with a larger army and seize her kingdom!"

Upon his return to China, the king quickly ordered preparations for an invasion of Muara Kaman. A massive army was assembled, warships were repaired, and weapons were sharpened. His goal was clear: to defeat Princess Aji and conquer her kingdom.

In Muara Kaman, Princess Aji was also preparing. She knew the Chinese king would not stay silent after such an insult. "Our forces must be ready," she ordered her war commander, General Gading. "We must prepare for a great attack."

General Gading nodded. "We will be ready, Your Highness. Our soldiers may not be as many as theirs, but we will fight with the spirit to defend our land."

A few days later, the warships from China appeared on the horizon. As they drew closer, the battle began. The sound of cannon fire and war cries echoed across the shore.

The battle was fierce. Soldiers from both sides fought bravely, but the sheer number of the Chinese forces gave them the advantage. Princess Aji's forces began to fall back.

Princess Aji stood atop the palace fortress, watching the uneven battle. "If this continues, we will lose," she said with a firm voice.

"Your Highness," said Siti, her loyal maid, "what shall we do now?"

Princess Aji paused for a moment, then her eyes suddenly brightened. "I have one last resort. The power that has been passed down by my ancestors. I will try it."

She took a betel leaf from the container Siti held and chewed it slowly. As she chewed, she recited an ancient mantra. "If the power passed down from my ancestors is true, then turn my betel leaf into deadly centipedes that will attack the Chinese army."

After chanting the mantra, Princess Aji spat the betel onto the ground around her. Instantly, the pieces of betel transformed into centipedes that began to creep and wriggle furiously towards the Chinese soldiers. The number of centipedes continued to multiply, reaching millions, and they attacked the Chinese soldiers with unexpected ferocity.

The Chinese soldiers, unprepared for this sudden assault by the vicious centipedes, were soon thrown into chaos. They screamed in fear, trying to flee to their ships. The Chinese king, watching from his ship, was also terrified. "Quick! Back to the ship! We must leave this place!" he shouted.

However, the centipedes did not stop at the shore. They leapt onto the king's large ships, biting and sinking them one by one. Finally, the Chinese king's ship sank, taking him and all his soldiers to the bottom of the sea.

The place where the ships sank turned into a fertile field, rich with plants. The remaining water in the area was named "Lake of Centipedes," to commemorate the extraordinary event.

Princess Aji stood by the lake, gazing at the calm water with a smile on her face. "We have defended our land, my people," she said to the crowd gathered around her. "This is a victory for all of us."

Siti looked at her princess with pride. "Your wisdom and courage will be remembered forever, Princess."

Princess Aji smiled. "Yes, but more importantly, we have shown that even though we are small, we will never give up against injustice."

And so, the Kingdom of Muara Kaman continued to stand, prosperous and peaceful, under the protection of Princess Aji Berdarah Putih, whose courage and beauty were remembered for generations to come.

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Moral Lessons from the Story:

1. Courage and Determination in Facing Injustice: Princess Aji shows that the courage to stand against injustice and uphold one's dignity is more important than succumbing to a greater power or authority. Despite her army being outnumbered, she still fought for the honor and independence of her kingdom.

2. Strength is Not Always Determined by Numbers, but by Wisdom and Intelligence: In this story, Princess Aji successfully defeated the large army of the Chinese king using her intelligence. This demonstrates that wisdom and strategy can overcome greater physical strength.

3. Courtesy and Ethics Reflect a Person's Character: Princess Aji rejected the Chinese king's proposal because she saw his rude and unethical behavior. This highlights the importance of good manners and proper behavior as a reflection of one's character.

4. Steadfastness in Upholding Values and Principles: Princess Aji remained firm in her principles and was not tempted by power or luxury. This teaches the importance of holding onto one's values and principles, even when faced with great temptation or pressure from others.

5. Protecting the Homeland and People is a Leader's Responsibility: As a leader, Princess Aji felt responsible for protecting her land and her people from external threats. This underscores the importance of leadership that is oriented towards the welfare of the people and the defense of the nation.