The stories of the legendary folklore was passed by the elders from mouth to mouth. In Terengganu coastal area, lived two turtles, male and female. The turtles were birds of a feather flock together . Everywhere they went, they were always together. One day, they swam along the Terengganu coast. After days of swimming, they swam so far that they have arrived to an unfamiliar place.
“Husband , where are we now?” Asked the female turtle.
“I do not know. Husband also did not know. Abang has never been to this place, “answered the male turtle.
At that time, there was a Puffer Fish crossing the place and asked.
‘Hey, where do you want to go?’
“Actually we are lost,” answered the Turtle.
“What’s the name of this place?” Asked the Turtle.
“This place is called Laut Rantau Abang. Inland there, a hill has a very beautiful garden, “replied Puffer Fish.
“Have you ever been there?” Asked the Turtle.
“Not yet,” replied Puffer Fish briefly.
“Why?” Asked the Turtle.
“All kinds of fish, including me, will not be able to go to that place. You’re both lucky to be able to live on land and at sea. While I can only live in the sea, so I am not able to enjoy the beauty of the park, “replied Puffer Fish humble.
Hearing the description of Puffer Fish, the two turtles became excited. After that they went up to the ground to play in the park on the hill. On their way to the park, they met a Crab.
“Where are you going?” Asked the Crab.
“We’re going to play around in the park. said Puffer Fish , the scenery was so nice . answered the turtles ”
“It’s true. But you both have to be careful because in the park there is a taboo that can not be broken, “explains the Crab.
“What’s the taboo?” Asked the Male Turtle to be sure.
Inside the garden there is a pond, but the pool water in the garden can not be drunk. Anyone who drinks it will be cursed, “said the Crab.
“Curse?” About the Turtle, smiling as if unbelieving.
unlike the Turtles, he was very concerned about the taboo. Afterwards, the two turtles went on their way to the park. Suddenly the Turtle stopped.
“wife, why are you stopping? “Asked the Turtle.
“Abang! I am afraid of the taboo. We’d better go home, “said the Turtle.
“No, no! Do not trust the words of the Crab. He just wants to deceive us, “said the Male Turtle insisting to go to the park.
“No, no! we don’t have to go there. Let’s just go home! “Female Turtle continue to persuade the male Turtle.
“If you are afraid, you wait here. The young must go to the park, “said the Turtle who was so excited to hear the beauty of the park.
Although it has been repeatedly persuaded, the male turtle continued on his quest.
“But, do not be so long now, please!” Said the Turtle in an alarming tone.
Shortly afterwards, the Turtle walked towards the hill. Once there, he was so amazed at the beauty of the park on the hill. He also walked around to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
After a long time, the male turtle was thirsty. He remembered the words of the Crab that in the garden there was a very clear pool of water.
After some time searching, he found the pond. Without a long thought, he immediately approached and drank the water from the pond.
“Thank God for that,” said Male Turtle satisfied after sipping the water in the pool.
“Ah, the crab just wants to lie to me”, he said. “After drinking this pool I’m okay. My body feels healthy and fresh. ”
But unexpectedly, suddenly his vision began to blur and his head became dizzy.
“Ouch, my head,” Male Turtle screamed in pain.
Slowly, his entire body became stiff and eventually unable to move. Although repeatedly trying to move his four legs to step, but still can not move. A moment later, suddenly the sky became dark. Lightning strikes. The rain fell heavily. In the twinkling of time, suddenly the Turtle Man turned into a stone. After that the sky was clear again. Apparently he was really exposed to the curse, for violating the taboo.
Meanwhile, the Turtle who has been waiting for a long time to start worrying about the situation of the Turtle.
“Where is my husband, I have to do something”The female turtle begins to be uneasy.
Soon a seagull came to her.
“Hey, why are you so depressed?” Asked the seagull .
“Yes. Since then my husband has not returned from the park, “answered the Turtle.
“So, the turtle in the garden is your husband?” The Seagull asked seriously.
“True. Did you see him, Seagull ? “Female Turtles asked.
“Yes, just as I was crossing over the park, I noticed that a turtle was on the edge of the pond. As I approached, it was apparently a stone. It seems to have been curbed for drinking water in the park, “said Seagull .
“Ha, my husband becomes a Stone!” The Turtle is jerked like unbelievers.
“So it’s true what the Crab said,” he continued.
After hearing the bad news, the female Turtle was very sad. However, she can not do anything. Finally, she decided to go back to the sea. Each season of laying eggs, May to August, the Turtle of the Sea goes to Rantau Abang Beach to lay eggs and visit the turtle’s stone. Every time she gets an egg, she always in tears as she remembers the male Turtle.
Since then, all the descendants of the turtle always go to that place to lay eggs. Each time they lay their eggs, they always cry. According to the people’s beliefs, they cry because they are unhappy with the fate that has fallen upon their forefathers, the turtledoves. The local people call the turtledove as the Turtle Stone. Up to now, the Turtle Stone can be seen at Bukit Che Hawa, Rantau Abang, Dungun.
Tales of Terengganu 