HIKAYAT MALIM DEMAN

Summary

Malim Deman, a hardworking young man, lives near a forest with his widowed mother. One day, he discovers seven celestial maidens bathing in a pond, and is captivated by their beauty. The youngest maiden, Putri Bungsu, loses her magical selendang and cannot return to the heavens. Malim Deman comforts her, and they fall in love and marry. However, Malim Deman's behavior deteriorates, causing Putri Bungsu great sorrow. Eventually, she finds her selendang and prepares to leave, taking their son with her. Malim Deman, filled with regret, realizes the consequences of his actions and the loss of his family.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Hikayat Malim Deman is a classic Malay tale, known for its role as a form of entertainment and storytelling.
• 😀 The story is widely spread across the Malay Archipelago and continues to live in Malay literature today.
• 😀 Malim Deman, the main character, is a diligent and kind-hearted orphan who works hard on his mother's farm located by a forest.
• 😀 Malim Deman has a close relationship with an elderly widow, Mandeh Rubiah, who treats him as her own son.
• 😀 One day, Malim Deman goes to Mandeh Rubiah's hut to ask for water, only to hear suspicious sounds coming from behind her hut.
• 😀 Upon investigating, Malim Deman discovers seven heavenly maidens bathing in a pond behind the hut.
• 😀 Malim Deman is mesmerized by the beauty of the maidens, especially the youngest, who loses her magical sash and cannot return to the heavens.
• 😀 The six elder maidens depart, leaving the youngest behind, who is fearful of staying on Earth.
• 😀 Malim Deman comforts the youngest maiden and brings her to Mandeh Rubiah’s house, where she is accepted and treated as her daughter.
• 😀 Malim Deman and the youngest maiden eventually fall in love, get married, and have a son.
• 😀 Over time, Malim Deman's behavior becomes problematic, causing sorrow for his wife, who decides to return to the heavens after finding her lost sash.
• 😀 Malim Deman desperately regrets his actions, losing both his wife and son, marking the tragic end of his happiness.

Q & A

Who is Malim Deman, and what is his role in the story?

Malim Deman is a hardworking, kind-hearted young man who lives with his mother and works on their farm. He plays the central role in the story, encountering a celestial maiden and eventually marrying her.

What is the relationship between Malim Deman and Mande Rubiah?

Malim Deman has a close and respectful relationship with Mande Rubiah, an elderly widow. She considers him like a son, and he often visits her.

What happens when Malim Deman encounters the celestial maidens?

Malim Deman stumbles upon seven celestial maidens bathing in a pond while seeking water. He is captivated by their beauty, and one of the maidens, the youngest, loses her magical selendang (garment) and is left behind.

Why does the youngest celestial maiden stay behind, and how does Malim Deman respond?

The youngest celestial maiden stays behind because she cannot find her selendang, which is needed to return to the heavens. Malim Deman comforts her and brings her to Mande Rubiah’s home, where she is welcomed.

How does the youngest celestial maiden integrate into the human world?

The youngest celestial maiden, named Putri Bungsu, is accepted into the human world by Mande Rubiah, who adopts her as her daughter. She later marries Malim Deman.

What causes Putri Bungsu to become unhappy in her marriage to Malim Deman?

Putri Bungsu becomes unhappy because Malim Deman adopts bad habits, which causes her great sadness. She begins to cry in solitude, reflecting her disappointment and sorrow over his behavior.

What does Putri Bungsu do when she finds her selendang?

When Putri Bungsu finds her lost selendang, she decides to return to the heavens, taking their son with her. This decision is a result of her sorrow over Malim Deman's actions.

What is Malim Deman’s reaction to Putri Bungsu's decision to leave?

Malim Deman is filled with regret and panic when he realizes that he is about to lose his wife and son. He deeply regrets his behavior and the impact it has had on his family.

What role does the selendang play in the story?

The selendang is a magical garment that the celestial maidens use to return to the heavens. The loss and eventual recovery of the selendang by Putri Bungsu is a pivotal moment that leads to her decision to leave the human world.

What are the central themes in *Hikayat Malim Deman*?

The central themes include love, regret, and the tension between the human and celestial worlds. The story explores the consequences of one's actions, the impact of bad habits on relationships, and the longing for a lost family.