One word writing prompts: SIL

Word Five: Folklore [m]

Yes I shall bring knowledge to all of you readers MWAHAHAHAHA!!! This is basically my telling of this story

Tw: Blood. Swordfish? Death. Uh yeah that's about it.

Idk Fourth person POV: (Bc I'm breaking the fourth wall >:))

So this story is uh an actual folklore story from Singapore! I've twisted it a little but I swear the money reward was real! If you've never heard of it that's ok lmao-

Songs I listened to:

https://youtu.be/HOqYR-hYqsc?si=fmFll7sAYBmbRG5T (Don't question me)

https://youtu.be/3CfZzDvw3_8?si=qbf-91B1-4xwnVpt

---ш---

The tiny  island of Singapore had a problem. A sharp, pointy, fishy problem.

Swordfish.

They were attacking fishermen, jumping out of the water to spear them. The once calm, clear blue water turned a pale red, ripples forming where bodies fell.

"This cannot stand!" Said the Sultan when he heard about it. So he sent his soldiers to fight them off. They formed a wall around the island, blocking civilians with their legs.

Who would win, the literal soldiers of the Sultan? Or a stabby fish?

Yep.

The soldiers fell quickly, writhing in pain as the swordfish lunged at them, slashing and slicing their legs. The Sultan called for a retreat.

Pacing in his chambers, he sighed. Singapore couldn't lose to a bunch of fish! So he decided to call for Singaporeans to defend their home.

"A whole chest of gold to whoever can come up with an idea to save Singapore!" They shouted. Soon, everyone had heard of this offer. People were lining up in front of the Sultan's palace to give their solutions, and hopefully, win the chest.

A young boy, Aman, twisted his hands, standing outside the court. He had an idea too, which he knew would work. But he was getting nervous, seeing much older men and women getting turned away. His father, a fisherman who had escaped the massacre, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"What about stabbing the fish back with swords?"

"Next!"

"Maybe we lea-"

"Next!"

Aman stepped through the gilded doors, heart pounding in his ears. The Sultan gazed coolly at his father, expecting him to speak.

"S-sir?"

The Sultan's eyes widened, before composing himself.

"Ah, it's the little boy. Tell me, son. What is your solution?"

"Build a fence of banana stems around the island."

The Sultan's advisor scoffed.

Aman's voice wavered. "T-the swordfish will get stuck in the... the stems."

"That could work. Men! Go chop down the banana trees!"

Aman felt a weight lift from his stomach. Really? His idea... had been accepted?

When the swordfish tried to attack again, their sharp noses, once a weapon, had gotten caught in the banana stems. Unable to escape back to the ocean, they spent their last moments drying in the sun.

The people cheered for Aman, the smart little boy who saved Singapore. As promised, he received the prize, but the Sultan grew suspicious.

"Sir, if he's that popular with Singaporeans, who's to say he doesn't overthrow you?" The advisor whispered.

"Preposterous! He's just a little boy!"

"The little boy who saved the island, where you couldn't."

"I... you're right."

And the saviour became the villain.

"Find that boy and kill him!" Was the order given after a few days.

The soldiers searched the whole island for Aman.

They finally found him on a hill.

"You're here for me, right?"

He turned to face them.

"Just don't take anyone else."

A spear caught him in the chest, and a long red finger reached out from the wound, climbing downward to the soil, and spreading.

A thud, and he fell, letting the red bathe his body, letting nature reclaim its creation.

The job was done.

---ш---

So? Legit my first time trying this kind of thing and I think it escalated pretty quickly. Once again, actual story, there's a place in Singapore called Redhill/Bukit Merah bc this boy died there (allegedly) and so the soil there is red.

)))yay