Can you share some interesting Malay old folk stories?

One common theme is the triumph of good over evil. In stories like 'Bawang Merah Bawang Putih', the kind - hearted Bawang Putih overcomes the cruelty of her step - sister. Another theme is the value of cleverness, as seen in the 'Sang Kancil' stories where the small mousedeer outsmarts larger animals. Also, many stories have elements of magic and the supernatural, which add to their allure.

One well - known Malay ghost story is about the Pontianak. It is said to be the spirit of a woman who died during childbirth. She is often depicted as a beautiful woman by day but a terrifying ghost at night. She haunts the areas near where she died, usually in the forests or around old houses.

An old folk story is 'Rumpelstiltskin'. A miller's daughter was forced to spin straw into gold by the king, with the help of a strange little man. There are also many Native American folk stories. For example, stories about how the coyote was a trickster figure, creating and changing things in the world through his cleverness or foolishness.

One well - known Malay ghost story is about the pontianak. The pontianak is often depicted as a female spirit of a woman who died during childbirth. She is said to haunt the forests and can be recognized by her long, flowing white dress and long hair. Another is the hantu pocong, which is a ghost wrapped in a white shroud, as if it was a corpse that has not been properly laid to rest.

The Hantu Raya is another well - known Malay ghost. It is a very powerful and malevolent spirit. It is often associated with dark and desolate places. Stories say that it can cause great harm to those who cross its path, and it has the ability to possess people and make them do things against their will.

One interesting old folk tale is 'Cinderella'. It's about a young girl who is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters but, with the help of her fairy godmother, goes to the ball and wins the prince's heart. Another is 'Little Red Riding Hood', which warns children about the dangers of talking to strangers in the form of a wolf in the woods. And 'Jack and the Beanstalk' is also great, where Jack climbs a beanstalk to a giant's lair and outwits the giant to bring back treasures.

One famous Chinese old folk story is 'The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl'. It's about a love story between a cowherd and a fairy weaver girl. They fell in love but were separated by the Milky Way. Only on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month can they meet by crossing a bridge made of magpies. It shows the Chinese people's yearning for true love.

One well - known old German folk story is 'Hansel and Gretel'. It's about two children who are left in the forest by their stepmother. They find a house made of gingerbread, which is owned by a wicked witch who wants to eat them. Another is 'Rumpelstiltskin', where a little man helps a girl spin straw into gold in exchange for her first - born child. There's also 'The Pied Piper of Hamelin' who lures the rats away from the town with his music and then, when not paid, takes the children as well.

One interesting old folk tale is 'The Tortoise and the Hare'. It teaches the lesson that slow and steady wins the race. The hare, being overconfident, takes a nap during the race while the tortoise keeps moving forward steadily and ultimately wins.

One old folk love story is 'The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl'. In this Chinese story, the Cowherd was a poor but kind man, and the Weaver Girl was a fairy. They fell in love and got married. However, their love was opposed by the Goddess of Heaven. As a punishment, they were separated by the Milky Way and could only meet once a year on the Qixi Festival.