The Folktale of Batu Menangis and Ubasuteyama

Folklore refers to traditional stories originating from people of the past, passed down orally through generations. Two narratives that share similarities in their depiction of the relationship between children and parents are Batu Menangis (The Weeping Stone) from Indonesia and Ubasuteyama from Japan. Although they originate from different cultures, both share a common theme but differ in their approach to delivering the message. The focus of this issue is how differences in characters, setting, and conflict resolution in these two stories reflect society's views on parents. This study aims to deeply analyze the differences in story structure and cultural values between the two tales through a comparative literature perspective. This research employs a qualitative descriptive method and narrative comparison techniques. Data were collected through literature studies of the two folklore texts and then analyzed narratively to compare plot, characterization, and setting to identify the cultural connections within them. The analysis shows that Batu Menangis constructs its narrative through a physical punishment approach resulting from disobedience, reflecting the position of parents in Indonesian culture. Conversely, Ubasuteyama emphasizes the wisdom of the elderly as a savior in social conflict, reflecting Japanese respect for seniority and life experience. Both stories affirm that respect for parents is an ethical value; however, Batu Menangis highlights the aspect of moral consequences for individuals, while Ubasuteyama highlights the combined benefit of a child's devotion.