The Origin of Sungai Kawat

in English is Wire River. This River can we found at West Kalimantan, branch of Kapuas River. Siantang City's people called Sungai Kawat to one branch pass through their city. and their story is........

One time in Siantang lived fortuneless fisherman family, they only depend their live from the results of live fish for sale, but had a few days there was no fish are caught.

Although the sun was high, there is no fish that eat the bait from his fishing rod. Fishermen keep trying, he tried several places in the river. Until the sun towards the west, he has not got a fish. The Fishermen try fishing in a place full of trees and moss-lichen. "Probably a lot of fish here,"

When it grew dark, fishermen's bait drawn by fish. Fishermen pull a rope reel slowly and occasionally take it off until the fish tired. Without realizing it, Fisherman have attracted up to the middle river.
The sky already dark, lots of mosquitoes around the Fisherman, but he did not care. He felt get a very large fish catches. Finally attraction of fish began to weaken, Fisherman's fishing line was pulled back. After a long drawn, the fish still have not seen. Fishermen remain cautious so that fish can not be separated.

When the rod is withdrawn. Apparently there are only wires that snagged. Fisherman very disappointed because the fish loose. Fishermen saw the yellowish wire carefully, and after knowing it was a gold wire he pulled back fastly.  

Fishermen have long been pulling the wire, but still has not ended. Fishermen think he will be rich with gold wire, it will become very rich, he keeps pulling. The fishermen's small boats had been full of gold wire, and he keeps pulling.

"STOP!! Cut the wires!" said a voice from within the stream.


But the Fishermen keeps pulling.

"STOP!! Cut the wires!" said a voice from within the stream.

But the greedy Fishermen keeps pulling.

"STOP!!!"said a voice from within the stream.

The greedy fisherman didn't care, he keeps pulling. His small boat already full of gold, river water started to enter. Slowly, fishermen boat getting down to the river. The fishermen never come up again after that.  

Therefore, the river is called Sungai Kawat or Wire River.

Golden Watermelon

This story from Sambas, West Kalimantan, Indonesia.

In the days before now,
lived a Rich Merchant with his boys.
The eldest named Muzakir.
The youngest named Dermawan.

The eldest was so greedy and stingy, only money that he was thinking.
Different with his brother, Dermawan always given charity for poor people.

When The Rich Merchant die, each of them get half of their father properties and money.

Immediately, Muzakir put his properties and money into the  locked iron box. When someone poor ask for charity, he'll laught saw fortuneless peoples without leg, or eye. And Then Muzakir will ask to them to go from his house.

While that, Dermawan uses his properties and money for charity, he always open hand to poor peoples. Dermawan give them food, clothes, and many more. When his money give off, he moved into small house and work. Now his salary is just enough to eat, but he already felt happy to live like that.

Someday, when Dermawan having his relax time under the tree. A little bird fell down at his leg. The bird's wing was injured. Dermawan try to medicate the bird, and gives the bird some rice for eat.

In some day, the bird can fly again. The bird fly away at morning, and back again to dermawan at the sunset. The bird give a seed for Dermawan to thank. Dermawan gladly accepted the seed, he planted it in the garden.

3 days ago...
the seed grew to be watermelon tree. He take care the vine so carefully. The vines have many flower, but just one fruit. Days passed, the fruit grow bigger and bigger, bigger than other watermelon he ever see.

Once ripe, the watermelon fruit picking by Dermawan. Very weight, Dermawan uses two hand to bring it. He cut the melon, after a watermelon split off, Dermawan shocked by shining dust in the watermelon. The dust is pure gold sand. How happy Dermawan, he dance for joy, generous exclaimed thank you to the bird that fly away without come back again.

Next day, Dermawan buys large house and wide garden. All poor people came to him get charity like food, some clothes, money, and happiness. Now, Dermawan never impoverished again, he have much money from his watermelon garden. News of a rich Dermawan has reached the Muzakir's ears. Muzakir asked about the origins of his wealth, and Dermawan told the truth.

Muzakir immediately ordered his workers to find an injured bird.
He waited 3 days, no result,
He waited 4 days, no result,
He waited 5 days, no result,
He waited 6 days, no result,
He waited 1 week, still no result, Muzakir to be mad.

then he ordered his workers to shoot a bird, so he can medicate the bird. Muzakir then pretended compassion and medicate the bird.


In some day, the bird can fly again. The bird fly away at morning, and back again to Muzakir at the sunset. The bird give a seed for Muzakir . Muzakir gladly accepted the seed, he planted it in the best place of his garden.

3 days ago...
the seed grew to be watermelon tree. He take care the vine so carefully. The vines have many flower, but just one fruit. Days passed, the fruit grow bigger and bigger, bigger than Dermawan's watermelon.

Once ripe, the watermelon fruit picking by Muzakir's workers. Very weight, more than Dermawan's. Muzakir uses two workers to bring it. He cut the melon, after a watermelon split off, Muzakir shocked by splatter black mud mixed with dung in the watermelon. Amazing bad smell like the smell of cadaver spread quickly till Muzakir and his worker run and screaming at the same time. All people see that laughing and clapping.