Si Tanggang

Si Tanggang is a a very famous Malaysian's Traditional Children's Folk Tales. It's a story of an obedient and innocent young man who lived in a poverty stricken village with his parents. One day, he decided to sail away to other parts of the the world to make changes in their life. He waved goodbye to his parents and promised them that one day he will return with success.He began his journey to the outer world, in searching for wealth. Finally, he got married to the daughter of a very rich ship captain. Years passed by and he actually forgot that he had once promised to return home to his parents. One day, he and the ship crew was forced to stopped by near a village (which actually was his village) due to the unpromising weather. Sadly, Si Tanggang was embarrassed with his parents and refused to acknowledge them because of their haggard appearance. Causing such a heartache to them, the mother cried out and suddenly Si Tanggang was turned into stone.

That's a short review of Si Tanggang.

In fact today, there are many films, dramas, short stories about a child being ignorant and disloyal to the parents. Most of us shall respond similarly to those stories, we shall loathe the child and pity the parents. Moreover, working in the hospitals allow me to see examples of dutiful and bad child.

But, if we think back, have we ever wonder that maybe some of the 'turned out to be a bad child' don't realize they are not being the best to their parents? In fact, some of them may thought that they are actually doing the right thing for the parents. Lets just ponder...

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As for us, we grow more matured as time passes by ( at least we thought that we are more mature) , after graduating, finally settling down with quite stable career. The best thing is that, we start to have our own money, we feel that we are in control of everything become less dependent than before. Confidence starts to arise and in fact we are now ready to voice out our mind. Somehow, we start to have our own style of thinking, our own life plan with our own reasons and perceptions; which may not always go parallel with our folks'.

On the other hand, our parents also are getting older and older, and of course usually they always think that they know more about life than the children based on their life experience, which is quite true. Moreover, as they get older, they tend to be more sensitive and fragile.

That is when disagreement might takes place, and subtly it will affect the emotion, perceptions and if we are not careful enough, we may without realizing had cause a slight cut and hurt their feelings.

Thus, i shall say that it is not easy to be a praiseworthy (soleh/solehah) child, as we never know how would we react in desperate circumstances. Change is a constant matter in human life, so we change, they change, the environment change.

I don't dare to say that there is nothing we can do about it, but at least,we have to bare in mind of the facts and the reality and be aware of the unwanted probabilities.

We are not perfect, in fact, nobody is perfect even the elderly, thus we have to be really smart and careful in dealing with difficult situation, but i shall say that it is not easy without the help of ALLAH The Almighty, and Most Loving. Let's pray to HIM to protect us and help us to become a good child to our parents, a good sister, a good brother, a good neighbour, wife, parents, husband --> being the best in every role that we play, or will play and the most important role of all ; being HIS servant. InsyaALLAH.