Long ago, in the village of Kutei Donok, Bengkulu, lived a man named Pahit Lidah. His name, which meant "Bitter Tongue," was not given to him without reason—he possessed a mysterious and powerful gift. Whatever he spoke would come true. Because of this, Pahit Lidah was always cautious with his words, knowing that even the slightest utterance could shape reality itself.
The Journey to the New Land
Pahit Lidah had a son whom he deeply loved. One day, he decided to clear a new rice field outside the village. As custom dictated, he first sought permission from the village chief, who granted it without hesitation.
With his hoe slung over his shoulder, Pahit Lidah set off on his journey, walking for hours until he reached a vast and fertile land near the Air Ketahun River. It was the perfect spot. Without wasting any time, he plunged his hoe into the earth and began his work.
Pahit Lidah was no ordinary man—his strength was legendary. While an average farmer would take weeks to clear a field, he labored tirelessly day and night without rest. With every powerful swing of his hoe, clumps of earth were flung into the river.
As the days passed, the pile of soil in the river grew larger, disrupting the natural flow of water. The villagers, noticing the changes, grew concerned. The once-clear waters of the river were now murky, struggling to pass through the accumulating barrier of dirt. If this continued, they feared, the river would overflow and flood their village.
A Desperate Plea
Realizing the danger, the villagers rushed to their chief.
“If Pahit Lidah does not stop, the river will be completely blocked, and we will lose our homes!” they pleaded.
The village chief, a wise man, understood that convincing Pahit Lidah would not be easy.
“Go to him,” he commanded some of the villagers. “Try to persuade him to return. If he refuses, tell him that his son has died.”
The villagers gasped at the cruel suggestion, but they trusted their leader’s wisdom. With heavy hearts, they set off toward the river.
Upon reaching Pahit Lidah, they begged him to stop.
“Pahit Lidah, please return home. If you keep throwing soil into the river, we will all suffer!” they cried.
But Pahit Lidah, consumed by his work, barely acknowledged them.
Desperate, they delivered the false news.
“Your son is dead,” they said solemnly.
Pahit Lidah stopped for a moment. Then, with unwavering confidence, he shook his head.
“That is impossible. My son is alive.”
The villagers looked at each other, defeated. They had failed. No one could make Pahit Lidah believe a lie. They returned to the village and reported to the chief.
The Power of Words
Seeing no other choice, the chief himself went to speak with Pahit Lidah.
“Pahit Lidah,” he said firmly. “Enough. Come home. Your son is dead.”
Silence fell over the land. This time, Pahit Lidah did not answer immediately. He looked at the chief, the weight of those words sinking deep into his heart. Unlike before, doubt crept into his mind.
The chief was a respected man—he would not lie. If he had spoken the words, then surely, they must be true.
Pahit Lidah’s breath grew heavy. His hands trembled as he gripped his hoe. He had always believed his son was safe. But now… he could not deny it any longer.
"Because you have said it… now I believe it. My son is truly dead," he whispered.
The Birth of Tes Lake
A storm of emotions raged within him—grief, anger, regret. He had spoken the truth into existence. His once-powerful gift now felt like a curse.
His sorrow turned into fury. He raised his hoe once more, striking the ground with renewed force. He no longer cared about the river, the land, or the village.
He dug. He dug and dug.
The soil piled higher, the river choked, and the water had nowhere to go.
Within days, the river was completely blocked. The water pooled into a vast, new body—a lake.
The villagers, both awed and horrified, named it Tes Lake.
Even today, the lake remains, a silent reminder of a man whose words held power beyond imagination. And so, the legend of Pahit Lidah lives on—a tale of caution, fate, and the undeniable weight of words.
The legend of Pahit Lidah and Tes Lake carries several moral lessons about the power of words, responsibility, and consequences. Here are the key takeaways:
1. Words Have Power – Be Careful What You Say 🗣️
Pahit Lidah’s ability to make things come true with his words symbolizes how what we say can have lasting effects. Careless words, even if spoken in frustration or belief, can bring unintended consequences. This teaches us to think before we speak—because once something is said, it can’t be easily undone.
2. Belief Shapes Reality – The Power of Conviction 🔮
The story suggests that what we believe deeply can shape our reality. Pahit Lidah’s power only worked when he was truly convinced. This reflects how our thoughts and beliefs influence our actions and outcomes in life.
3. Regret Comes Too Late – Think Before You Act ⚖️
By the time Pahit Lidah realized his mistake, it was too late. His grief and anger led him to act recklessly, which caused a disaster (the formation of Tes Lake). This teaches us to make decisions wisely and consider the consequences of our actions before it's too late.
4. Don’t Let Emotion Control Your Actions 😢🔥
After learning about his son's death, Pahit Lidah became overwhelmed with anger and grief, causing him to continue digging furiously. His emotions clouded his judgment and led to destruction. This reminds us that acting out of rage or sadness can lead to irreversible mistakes.
5. Nature and Human Actions Are Connected 🌿🌊
Pahit Lidah’s unchecked actions changed the landscape forever. This can be seen as a lesson about how human actions affect the environment—if we act recklessly, we can create unintended damage.
Moral of the Story in One Line:
"Think before you speak or act—because words and actions have consequences that cannot always be undone."
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| Danau Tes(Tes Lake) |
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