Orientation

    A long time ago, there lived a couple in West Sumatra named Rajo Babanding and Sadun Saribai. They had two children named Sabai Nan Aluih and Mangkutak Alam. Sabai Nan Aluih was very beautiful. She had long hair, soft skin, and a smiling face. Sabai Nan Aluih was well-known for her beauty. People liked her very much.

Complication

    Sabai Nan Aluih's beauty captivated not only young men but also Rajo Nan Panjang, an old and rich merchant. Rajo Nan Panjang was sure that Sabai Nan Aluih would not reject his proposal as he was wealthy and powerful. Furthermore, he was Rajo Babanding's friend.

    One day Rajo Nan Panjang went to Rajo Babanding's house to propose Sabai Nan Aluih. Rajo Babanding didn't agree that her daughter would marry the old and boastful man. That's why he declined Rajo Nan Panjang's proposal. Of course, this made Rajo Nan Panjang angry. He asked Rajo Babanding to meet him at the field the following day.

    At night Sabai Nan Aluih had a bad dream. On her dream, she saw the granary was full of charcoals, goats were stolen, and chickens were seized by an eagle. She thought that her bad dream signed that her father would be in bad condition. She knew that Rajo Nan Panjang would take revenge on her father's rejection and he would do many ways to win the fight. That's why she begged her father not to meet Rajo Nan Panjang. She was afraid if Rajo Nan Panjang hurt him.

    Rajo Babandiug understood his daughter's worry and tried to comfort her. He said, "Don't worry, dear. I will be just fine."

    Then, he also said that he would make Rajo Nan Panjang realize his bad behavior and arrogance

    The following day, Rajo Babanding met Rajo Nan Panjang. Rajo Nan Panjang told him that he could not receive any refusal. He challenged Rajo Babanding for fighting. Rajo Nan Panjang knew that Rajo Babanding was a very great fighter, so he asked her escorts to overran Rajo Babanding. After a fierce fighting, Rajo Babanding was defeated and died.

Resolution

    Sabai Nan Aluih heard that Rajo Nan Panjang had defeated her father. She was very sad and angry at Rajo Nan Panjang. She decided to meet Rajo Nan Panjang. She asked her brother to go with her, but he refused. He was afraid of Rajo Nan Panjang and his escorts. Sabai Nan Aluih had no other choice. She could not stay at home. She would defend her family's pride. So, she walked hurriedly to the field.

    Arriving at the field, Sabai Nan Aluih met Rajo Nan Panjang. He persuaded her to marry him. However, Sabai Nan Aluih declined the proposal in a strict way. She told Rajo Nan Panjang that he should be responsible for what he had done to her father. Rajo Nan Panjang and Sabai Nan Aluih had a great fight and finally Sabai Nan Aluih defeated him.

Reorientation/Coda

    People were amazed at Sabai Nan Aluih's bravery. Wickedness, boast, and greed would not remain.

Adapted from: https://histori.id/kisah-sabai-nan-aluih/ (October 2, 2019)

Answer the following questions based on the text ln Activity 3.

Why did Sabai Nan Aluih and her father decline Rajo Nan Panjang's proposal?