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A story was told that there lived a Siamese boy (his age varies from teens to young adulthood) called Badang in a place called Saluang in Aceh. Badang was a slave. His master was Orang Kaya Nira Sura. Badang did not mind working hard. Badang spent his days working in the fields and clearing the jungle. When he was not working in the fields or clearing the jungle, Badang liked to go fishing. He cast his nets along the sea bed every evening and gathered the net the following morning.
The story goes that one morning Badang saw that there was only fish bones and heads in his net. He threw away the fish bones and heads. He took the net home, cleaned and dried it ready for the next day.

That evening he cast his net along the sea bed again. The next morning he went to gather his net. The net felt very light when he pulled it. When it was all out of the water there was only fish bones. Badang was very angry. Badang decided to sleep on the beach that night to catch the thief. He took a small log of wood for his head, a mat to sleep on and an old sarong to cover himself. He also took a broadsword to protect himself. Badang fell asleep quickly. The fresh air and the soft sound of the waves against the rocks lulled him to sleep. Badang had a strange dream. He dreamt that he was very strong. So strong that he could lift a boat with all its load. He dreamt that he lifted a great big rock and threw it into the air. The rock travelled many miles and landed at the mouth of a river. In his dream Badang was very rich. He lived in a palace and had many servants waiting on him. His mother, father and sister wore fine clothes and lived with him in the palace. He also dreamt that he swallowed something that came out of the mouth of an ugly beast. A beast so big and ugly that Badang shook with fear and woke up.

Badang opened his eyes. He could not believe what he saw. There was the demon in his dream. He was taller than the house that Badang lived in with his family. He had long, matted hair on his head reaching to his waist, a beard that was wide, long and matted covering his hairy chest. There was also hair on his shoulders, arms and legs. The demon had a pair of horns and tusks. The tusks protruded from its upper jaw. In the dim light its eyes shone like that of a wild animal, flashing and red. (In another version the demon looks like an old man dressed in white.)

The demon made its way to where Badang laid out his net. The demon pulled the net in. The net came through the water easily. It was a good catch. Badang could see from where he was the shiny fish wriggling in the net. There were some large fishes which would have made his mother very happy. Within minutes the demon had eaten all there was in the net. The demon picked the largest fish first. He twisted the fish heads, threw them into the net and tore the raw flesh off the bones and threw the bones into the net too. When all the big fish were gone he gulped the smaller ones in one large mouthful. He gave a big burp and walked off to a nearby knoll and was soon fast asleep. After seeing the demon stealing his catch, Badang became very angry. His anger overcame his fear. He grabbed his parang (machete) and crept up to the sleeping demon. He used his now empty net as a rope to tie the demon’s long hair. He secured it to a rock.

With his sword ready to strike Badang woke the demon. The demon turned out to be a gentle frightened creature. The demon feared for its life and begged for mercy. He promised to grant Badang any wish if he spared his life. Badang thought of wishing to be invisible but knew he would be hunted and killed. He thought of asking for riches but knew that whatever he owns belongs to his master. Instead he wished for great strength so that he would not tire during his chores.

The demon said that if Badang wanted great strength and wisdom he would have to swallow whatever he coughs up. Badang agreed and the demon coughed out all the fish he had eaten from his stomach. He gave these to Badang. Badang ate the fish. (In some versions the demon coughed out two red gems called geliga for Badang to swallow.)

True to the demon’s word Badang gained strength and became very wise. Badang still worked in the fields. He cleared the jungle. With his new strength Badang was able to bring a big harvest to his master. With his wisdom Badang showed his master how to be a very successful farmer. His master was so grateful for Badang's loyalty that he freed him and his family from slavery. He gave Badang some money to start a new life in Temasik (present-day Singapore).

While living in this new home, Badang performed good deeds for the people. One day he saw a large group of men trying to push a heavy boat into the water. The boat was so heavy that no matter how many strong men tried to push it, it wouldn't budge. Although Badang continually offered to help the men, they always refused saying that one as small as Badang would not make any difference. Eventually there we

We were drifting over a seamount area in about 100 feet of water. The dive had been fairly boring and I was down to about 25% of my air supply. I heard the divemaster start hooting and hollering and pointing off into the blue. I looked and could make out a giant manta.

At first I was elated. I had seen a few mantas but never one of the true giants. This one was coming straight at me. As it drew closer I noticed the nets.

I realized this would be a valuable photo to illustrate the problems of abandoned nets and took a few photos.

My picture taking was interrupted when I noticed the Manta was making incredibly close passes. Finally, it swam just in front of and below me and just stopped!

It clearly seemed to be trying to get my attention! The Manta was obviosly in trouble so I stopped taking photos and settled down on it's back. The Manta slowed almost to a stop and began to slowly circle with me resting on it's back.

I moved my camera to the crook of my arm and got out my little dive knife clipped to by bouyancy compensator. I started to work on cutting away the net.

My knife was small and not especially sharp. I had to saw through the net strand by strand. Soon I had the first section off and it fell away!

The net had adhered to the leading edge of the Manta. It was basically in four sections. Three remained.

I looked around to see if any of the other divers from my boat were coming to help. They were all just watching. I glanced at my air and saw that I was getting low.

I returned to work on the net and was able to free the second section, Now the entire left wing of the Manta was freed. I began working on the right side.

The Manta continued making slow circles and was descending. This was not good as I was low on air and had little remaining time before I went into decompression status.

I finally got the top right section off and removed it. The lower section that remained was going to be harder because of the severe adhesions to the cephalic lobe and the body of the Manta.

I cut a few strands of net away before glancing at my dive computer. The manta had carried me down to over 100 feet. I was out of bottom time (actually in deco status) and almost out of air. I had to go or risk running out of air and or getting the bends.

Reluctantly, I lifted off the Manta and swam straight to Ingo, the German divemaster who was with me. I indicated I needed to share air so I could do a safety stop. Ingo gave me his spare second stage and I began my safety stop with one eye on my computer and one on the Manta that continued to circle us.

I was still hoping another diver would finish removing the net. When my computer indicated I was in the clear I gestured to Ingo that he should try and cut away the remaining section. He decided to give it a try.

Ingo approached the Manta and grabbed the remaining section of net. The net became taught and pulled on the Manta's injured flesh. The Manta recoiled in pain and flapped its wings. Ingo was struck by a wingtip and dropped the net. That was enough for him and he did not approach the Manta again.

I bobbed on the surface hoping one of the remaining divers would help. Sadly no one else attempted anything. The Manta made a few more passes then gave up and swam off into the gloom.

This was a very strange experience. I felt good that I was able to help but was bitterly dissapointed that I could not finish the job. I think of that Manta often and wonder if he made it.

One thing I am sure of is that the Manta approached us with the intent of getting help. It swam straight to us and presented itself to us as if it were at a cleaning station. It actually presented it's back to me. This is very unusual.

To me these were clear signs of intelligence and rational behavior. I had always loved Mantas but had never considered that they could be so intelligent. Now there is considerable new information showing that Mantas are extremely intelligent. They can remember divers from year to year and can reognize human faces.

It makes it even more sad when we see tham slaughtered senslessly or caught in some abandoned net. I had always dreamed of riding a giant Manta. When my chance came, I couldn't really enjoy it because I had a task to focus on and safety concerns as well. It was no joyride but I will never forget that day.

Sorry about the length but I thought this was an interesting story.


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