In the beginning, when the world was only sea and sky, silence covered everything. From the calm waters rose Milad, the Mother of Islands, her spirit formed from the union of light and ocean. Her hair was woven with mist, her eyes shimmered like shells under sunlight, and her voice echoed like the soft hum of the tides. Wherever she stepped, coral lifted to meet her feet, and the first shapes of land began to rise from the deep.
For many ages she wandered, shaping the lagoons, reefs, and valleys. She called the winds to sing and the birds to fly, yet her heart was heavy with solitude. In her longing, she took a handful of soft clay from the ocean floor and molded it into four shapes. She sang the song of life and breathed upon them. From her spirit came Imeungs, Olekeok, Ngerbuns, and Sureor, her four beloved children.
Each child bore a gift from their mother. Imeungs, the eldest, carried the spirit of wisdom and peace. Olekeok carried strength and courage, the power of the storm. Ngerbuns carried gentleness and care, the spirit of healing and harmony. Sureor, the youngest, carried curiosity and renewal, the spark of new creation.
Milad loved them deeply and taught them the secrets of the sea and the land. Together they walked across the new earth, and as they did, rivers flowed behind their steps and mountains grew beneath their feet. The sky brightened with stars, and the first trees took root.
When her work was complete, Milad gathered her children at the highest peak. The land lay wide and bright before them, each island gleaming under the morning sun. She looked upon her children and said, “You must each take a part of this land. Guide it, protect it, and fill it with life. The islands must not belong to one alone, for harmony can only exist through balance.”
She turned to Imeungs and gave him the eastern lands, where the sun rises. His people would be the keepers of wisdom, remembering stories and sacred laws. She turned to Olekeok and gave him the southern lands, where cliffs stand firm against the sea. His people would be protectors, strong in body and in spirit. To Ngerbuns, she gave the northern lands, where trees grow thick and the rivers flow clear. Her people would be healers and nurturers, caring for life in all forms. Finally, she turned to Sureor and gave him the western shores, where the day meets the night. His people would be voyagers and storytellers, carrying the memory of all across the sea.
When the gifts were given, Milad raised her hands and said, “Remember that you are one blood, bound by the same sea. The waves that touch each shore are the same, and the winds that move between you are my breath. Keep peace among your people, and the islands will live forever.”
The four children bowed to their mother and took their places across the islands. They taught their people to honor the land, to care for the reefs, and to live with gratitude. The people learned to fish, to farm, and to build homes that faced the sea. They sang songs of Milad and the creation of the world, songs that carried across the waves and echoed through generations.
When her children were ready to lead on their own, Milad returned to the ocean’s heart. She said, “My spirit will remain in the wind and water. When you feel the calm after a storm, you will know I am near.” Then she rose into the sky, her light spreading across the islands. To this day, the people of Palau say that when the sea glows softly under moonlight, Milad is watching over her children.
The islands of Palau still bear the marks of her creation, their names echoing the memory of Imeungs, Olekeok, Ngerbuns, and Sureor. Each clan remembers its lineage from one of her children, and each place tells the story of her love and wisdom. The people believe that as long as they honor the land and the sea, Milad’s blessings will never fade.
Moral Lesson
The legend of Milad teaches that harmony and respect are the roots of all creation. By honoring ancestry, sharing responsibility, and recognizing the unity of all living things, peace and balance can be preserved across generations.
Knowledge Check
1. Who was Milad in the story?
Milad was the Mother of Islands who created the lands of Palau and gave life to her four children.
2. What were the names of Milad’s four children?
The names of Milad’s four children were Imeungs, Olekeok, Ngerbuns, and Sureor.
3. What did Milad give to each of her children?
Milad gave each child a part of the islands to rule and protect according to their gifts.
4. What did Milad teach her children about unity?
She taught them that although their lands were divided, they were one family joined by the same sea and the same spirit.
5. How does the story explain the formation of Palau?
The story explains that Milad’s children shaped and ruled the islands, forming the clans and sacred divisions that define Palau.
6. What lesson does this legend teach about ancestry and respect?
It teaches that honoring origins, family, and the land ensures balance and lasting harmony.
Source: Adapted from Worldviews: Preserving Traditional Place Names in Palau by the Palau Bureau of Arts and Culture, UNESCO ICHCAP (2014).
Cultural Origin: Palauan (Palau, Micronesia)
