Dayang Putri Bungsu Beradek Tujoh

This story was obtained by Haji Yusuf Heaton from Haji Tugo bin Lee of Kampung Baru, Kabong. It tells the story of a remarkable berok (monkey) who married a beautiful princess and then turned into a handsome prince charming- much to the chagrin of the princess’s six older sisters, who tried to emulate her feat but with fatal consequences for themselves.) Once upon a time, there lived a Rajah who had seven daughters but no sons. None of these daughters were married: all were waiting for suitably eligible young men to ask for their hands in marriage. The Rajah had, in fact, invited the young men of his state to come forward if they wished to marry any of his daughters, but thus far, the response had been negligible. The reason for this was not hard to find. Each of the Rajah’s seven daughters was very beautiful but, unfortunately, the characters of each of them did not match their looks. The six eldest daughters was each of them cruel, spiteful and bad-tempered. It was not surprising, therefore, that prospective suitors for these six sisters were few and far between. The Rajah’s seventh— and youngest— daughter, Dayang Putri Bungsu, was the only exception. Not onlywas she the most beautiful of all the Rajah’s daughters, but she had a character that matched her looks. Sweet and gentle, patient and kind, virtuous and obedient, her beauty and charms were such that she caused a flutter in the hearts of all who happened to see her.