Stories from Inubai, Tenom

In the mystical land of Pensiangan, young Antanom, half-human and half-fairy, was entrusted with a daunting quest. The ancient wisdom of his ancestors was fading, and it was up to him to restore it. Failure meant losing a vital piece of their heritage forever. Antanom felt the weight of the entire Murut community on his shoulders. He had to solve this before the next full moon. Time was slipping away as he pondered, " - What if I can't do it?" he whispered to himself.

Antanom set off on his journey but was soon stopped by a powerful river. The waters were tumultuous and crossed by a single, rickety bridge. " - How will I cross this?" he asked aloud, staring at the daunting task. His heart pounded with fear, yet he knew failure was not an option. " - I must find another way," he resolved, searching for an alternative path.

After finding a narrow path through the dense forest, Antanom was confronted by a dense wall of thorny vines. " - These are impossible to move," he groaned, feeling the sharp thorns prick his skin. Exhausted, he tried to find another way around but ended up going in circles. " - I can't give up now," he muttered, pushing forward despite bleeding hands. Each step felt heavier, and his resolve wavered.

Feeling defeated, Antanom sat beneath an ancient tree. " - Maybe I'm not the one to bring back the wisdom," he sighed, resting his head in his hands. The thought of giving up weighed heavily on him, and doubt clouded his heart. Just then, a gentle voice spoke, " - You are stronger than you know, Antanom." It was an elder fairy, shimmering with ethereal light.

The elder fairy sat beside Antanom, sharing tales of his ancestors' bravery. " - You must look within for the answers," she encouraged. Her words sparked a flicker of hope within him. Antanom realized that wisdom was not just in their stories but also in his heart. " - I must trust myself," he declared, standing with renewed determination. He thanked the fairy for her guidance.

With newfound confidence, Antanom approached the final challenge—a hidden door in the forest. Using the wisdom he found within, he solved the riddle inscribed on its surface. " - This is it," he whispered as the door creaked open, revealing the lost wisdom. A wave of relief washed over him, knowing he had succeeded. The Murut community celebrated his bravery and wisdom, welcoming the knowledge back into their lives.