Attack of the Swordfish

One day, the seas of Singapura was attacked and infested by many dangerous and fierce swordfish that attacked the villagers and fishermen living by the seas. These swordfishes with long hard snouts and razor sharp stabbed their way and pierced through the helpless villagers and fishermen with violence.

Seeing the extreme danger, the people immediately called for help from the King, Raja Paduka Sri Maharaja. Unfortunately, even the mighty army of Raja could not overcome the fearsome swordfish.

An intelligent young boy who first spotted these ferocious swordfish suggested to King Raja to make a trap for the swordfish by building a barricade of banana tree trunks along the beach so that the swordfish will become stuck and hurt and kill themselves eventually.

The plan succeeded and worked perfectly! All the people and King Raja's army shouted for joy. They celebrated the victory with big feast and sang grateful toast to the boy for saving all their lives.

However, King Raja was filled with jealousy and afraid that the people would think that the boy is more worthy of the throne and take way his throne. Thus, he schemed to kill the boy. After the celebrations, he sent his men to murder the boy who lived on top of a hill. The blood of the boy didn't remain on the hands of the men, but spewed out from the boy's wounded body and flooded the hill which turned into a bloody mound.

The mound later known as Redhill or Bukit Merah, remains as a memorial to the boy for saving the village.

Sang Nila Utama

A very long time ago, Sang Nila Utama, a Prince from Palembang embarked on a hunting trip. While Prince Sang Nila Utama was on the journey, he looked out into the distance and discovered an island he never knew before. After learning from his men that the island was called Temasek, Prince Sang Nila Utama decided to cross the waters to discover this new found island.

However, on their way to Temasek, a violent storm appeared. They were caught in the storm and water started to go into their ship. The ship was in danger of capsizing. Looking at the situation and to prevent the ship from sinking, the Prince ordered his men to throw all the things overboard. But the storm remained very fierce. One of Prince Sang Nila Utama's trusted advisors then asked him to throw his crown too, because it is the heaviest thing left on board. Without hesitation, the Prince threw his crown into the turbulent waters, and the sea immediately calmed down.

After landing safely on Temasek, Prince Sang Nila Utama caught sight of a magnificent and strange animal. He asked his men what it was, and his advisor told him that this animal may be a singa, or lion. The Prince liked what he saw, and thought the singa was an auspicious symbol. He decided to stay on the island and name the place Singapura, or Lion City.