Badang Goes to Singapura

Badang did not have to work for Pak Bakhil anymore. Thus, he had time to work on his own farm.
Badang planted many types of plant and vegetables on his farm. All the plants and the vegetables on
Badangs farm grew well. As a result, Badang and his mother Mak Cik Salmah always had enough
farm produce to eat.

Badang and his mother, Mak Cik Salmah led a simple and happy life. They were not rich but at least
they did not have to go hungry anymore.

Besides working on his farm, Badang helped his friends in his village to fight against wild animals.
The wild animals often came to their farms and were dangerous. They destroyed the plants and ate
the chickens. Because Badang was so brave in fighting against the wild animals, the people in the
village looked up to him as a hero.

Soon, the king of Singapura heard about Badangs bravery.

Is it true that there is a young man by the name of Badang who lives in Sayung? the king asked his
prime minister. I have heard so much about him.

Your Majesty, there is such a man, answered the prime minister.

Have you ever meet him? asked the king.

No. I have never meet him, replied the prime minister.

However, I have heard that he is very brave. It seems that he has even killed a tiger!

How interesting! In that case, I would like to meet Badang, continue the king.

I command you to bring him to my palace here so that I can meet him.

Your Majesty. I will bring Badang here as soon as possible, promised the prime minister.

A few day later, the prime minister and his men reached the village of Sayung. They first called on
Tuk Penghulu, the village chief.

The prime minister explained to Tuk Penghulu why they had come to Sayung.

So, you want to bring Badang back with you to see the king. I hope that he is not in troble, said Tuk
Penghulu, with a worried look on his face.

The prime minister laughed.

No, do not worry, he said.

The king has heard a lot about Badang and thus, His Majesty wants to meet him.

Tuk Penghulu showed the prime minister and his men the way to Badangs house. At that time, Mak
Cik Salmah was looking out of the window.
Mak Cik Salmah quickly went out to the door to meet Tuk Penghulu and the group of men who had
come with him. She wondered why they had come because she rarely had visitors.

Good afternoon, Mak Cik Salmah. Is Badang in? asked Tuk Penghulu.

No, he is not. He will back soon, answered Mak Cik Salmah.

Is anything wrong?

Just as they were talking, Badang came home carrying some vegetables and fish in his hand.

Look! Here comes Badang, said Mak Cik Salmah.

The prime minister and his men turned around to look at the young man who had come home.

Are you Badang? asked the prime minister.

Yes, I am, answered Badang.

What do you want from me?

The prime minister and his men stared at Badang. They thought that they would meet somebody
who was tall and huge.

However, the young man standing in front of them was not very tall and was rather thin.

If you are Badang, said the rime minister,

then would like you to go to Singapura with us to meet the king.

To go to Singapura? To meet the king? asked Badang who could not believe what he had heard.

Thats right, the prime minister replied.

The king of Singapura would like to meet you.

Go, Badang, follow the prime minister, encouraged Mak Cik Salmah.

This is your chance to see the world. Do not worry about me here.

Hearing his mothers words, Badang turned to the prime minister and said,

All ringht, then give me a few minutes to packs my things.

After having packed a few suits of clothing, Badang, the prime minister and his group of men headed
towards the sea. Tuk Penghulu and Mak Cik Salmah followed behind them. At last they reached the
spot where the boat had been left ashore.

The prime minister ordered his men to push the boat into the sea so that they can sail away.
However, all the men were tired after the long walk and they had very little strength left in them. As
a result, they were not able to push the boat.

Sir,
Badang addressed the prime minister,

the boat has not moved although your men have pushed is hard. Let me do it for you.

The prime minister gave a smile while the other men laughed at Badang.

Look, Badang,

one of the men began,

there are so many of us here and we cannot even move the boat. What makes you think that you
are able to do so alone?

Badang did not answer. He went to the boat and gave it a slight push. In no time at all, the boat was
at sea. All the men immediately stopped laughing.

Well, what are all of you waiting for? Get into the boat!

said Badang to the prime minister and his men.

Badang said goodbye to his mother and Tuk Penghulu. He got into the boat , took the oars and
rowed. It was an easy task for him and he did not need the other men to help him. Soon, Badang
was out of the sea, far away from his beloved mother and village.