PanTasy And Legends
The Story Of Radin Mas Ayu
Long ago in the kingdom of Java, there once lived a young Sultan and his brother named Pangeran Adipati Agung. The young Pangeran was loved by his people.
One day, during a palace celebration, the Pangeran was enchanted by one of the beautiful dancers. He fell madly in love with her and decided to marry her. However, his brother the Sultan (King) objected because she was a commoner and a palace dancer so the young Pangeran decided to marry her secretly. Soon they were blessed with a beautiful daughter whom they named Radin Mas Ayu.
Eventually the Sultan discovered his brother's secret and he plotted to ruin the happy family. He sent his brother away to lead an attack on a neighbouring country and deviously ordered the Pangeran's house to be set on fire. The Pangeran's wife was
killed but fortunately his daughter Radin Mas was saved by a loyal follower.
When the Pangeran learnt of the tragedy he grieved. Unable to gaze upon the Sultan's face any longer, and fearing that he may murder his own brother, Pangeran took Radin Mas and left Java for Singapore
Pangeran and Radin Mas settled in a village called Teluk Blangah living a quiet and peaceful life, but one day the village was attacked by pirates. The Pangeran led the fight bravely with the other villagers and crushed the pirate attack and became the village hero.
The Sultan of Singapore was most impressed and so invited him to a royal banquet. When the he learnt that Pangeran was of royal blood, the Sultan decided to marry him off to his daughter. The Pangeran accepted in the hopes of finally giving Radin Mas a mother to love her.
Soon the couple was blessed with a son whom they named Tengku (Prince)Chik. As time passed by Pangerann's wife grew extremely jealous of his love for Radin Mas. Her anger drove her to the point of desiring their deaths. She plotted with her nephew Tengku Bagus (ironically Bagus means Good). Tengku Bagus was an evil man who wanted Radin Mas Ayu for his bride but Radin Mas detested the man. The Tengku had Pangeran abducted and thrown into a water well to die.
With Pangeran gone, the Princess forced Radin Mas to marry Tengku Bagus. Poor Radin Mas, who knew of her father's fate, was afraid to refuse in the hope that her father may be freed if she agreed.
The day of the marriage arrived and according to custom, Radin Mas was asked if she had her father's permission and blessing for the marriage. Fearing for her father's life she lied, saying that he was dead. However Tengku Chik, Radin Mas' step-brother, interrupted and informed the ceremonial court of the Pangeran's fate. With the evil plot uncovered, the Pangeran was soon rescued. The evil Tengku Bagus plotted another attack on Pangeran and during the fight, instead of killing Pangeran, he accidentally stabbed Radin Mas with his keris,(traditional dagger). She died in her father's arms.
Meanwhile the Princess made her escape but with the help of divine intervention, the skies grew dark with storm clouds and a bolt of lightning struck the Princess to death.
Radin Mas Ayu was buried at the foot of today's famous Mount Faber in Singapore. A small shrine still stands today in her memory. A whole district was named after her, and today an entire constituency bears her name, as well as schools and roads.
This is what I imagine Radin Mas Ayu to look like.
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