The origins of merlion

Of the many stories told about the famous Merlion, this, recounted so often to me by my late grandfather, is definitely the most credible one I assure you.

Once upon a time, in a region south of the Far East where most men wore sarongs and kebayas were in vogue with the ladies, an empire known as Sri Vijaya did flourished. Although the kingdom was not the only kid around the block, she stood out because an important character lived in her time. That character was none other than the legendary Sang Nila Utama, a Palembang prince considered to be the first to lay claim on the Lion City.

And so it went that after a stormy ordeal at sea, Sang Nila Utama and his company finally found land (which he later named the Lion City). And the first living thing, besides his mates, that he saw on this land was a singa (or Lion City lion). The rest, they say, is history.

...(to continue)