In the heart of the Cambodian lowlands there existed a vast forest where the trees grew tall and the wind carried the scent of warm earth and ripened fruit. Birds of every color nested in the treetops and herds of deer moved gently through the undergrowth. Life flourished in harmony until the day a powerful lion arrived from a distant mountain region. He declared himself king of the forest and insisted that all creatures recognize his authority.
At first the animals hoped he would be a wise and gentle ruler. Some lions from other regions were known for fairness, guiding their lands with dignity. But soon it became clear that this lion was neither wise nor gentle. His hunger grew with his pride and he began hunting far more than he needed. He frightened the deer, intimidated the monkeys, and terrified the wild boars. The smaller animals hid whenever they heard his roar. The whole forest trembled under his rule.
Eventually the lion announced a new decree. He proclaimed that every day one animal must be delivered to him at sunrise so that he would never need to chase or hunt again. The terrified creatures had no choice but to obey. They gathered in secret meetings to decide who would be sacrificed each morning. The thought of losing one friend after another brought them sorrow but fear was stronger than unity.
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One morning the lot fell upon a small but quick witted rabbit. Though he trembled at the thought of approaching the lion’s cave, he also felt a stirring of determination. He knew the forest could not survive under the lion’s tyranny. The animals needed a protector but none had the strength or courage to challenge the lion directly. However the rabbit possessed something the lion lacked, something that could shift the balance. He possessed intelligence.
Before setting off to meet the lion he sat quietly beneath a banana tree and thought through a clever plan. He knew he could not defeat the lion through strength. He could only win if the lion became the architect of his own downfall. With this in mind he hopped toward the lion’s den at a slow and deliberate pace.
The lion was pacing impatiently outside his cave. When he saw the rabbit approaching long after sunrise his eyes filled with rage. He growled so loudly that birds flew from the nearby branches. He demanded to know why the rabbit had arrived late. The rabbit bowed respectfully and apologized, explaining that another lion had claimed he was the true ruler of the forest. The rabbit said he had been stopped on the way by this powerful challenger who wanted all the animals for himself.
The king lion roared with fury. He refused to believe another lion dared to compete with him. The rabbit could see that the lion’s pride was greater than his reason which was essential for the plan to work. With a trembling voice the rabbit said he could take the king lion to the rival’s hiding place. Although the rabbit pretended to be frightened his heart fluttered with hope that the scheme might succeed.
He led the lion across the forest until they reached an old abandoned well covered with moss and vines. Sunlight shimmered on the surface inside the well creating a perfect mirror like reflection. Acting terrified the rabbit whispered that the challenger was hiding inside, waiting to steal the king’s throne. The lion stepped forward and glanced down into the well.
As he peered below he saw the reflection of himself in the water. Not realizing it was only his reflection he mistook it for another lion staring back defiantly. The water rippled slightly which made the reflection appear to challenge him. Enraged he roared into the well. When his roar echoed back he believed it came from the supposed rival. Overwhelmed by pride and fury he leapt straight into the well to attack the reflection.
The moment he jumped he realized there was no lion waiting inside but it was too late. He plunged into the deep cold water. His roars were drowned by splashing and soon the forest grew silent. The king lion never returned and the forest was finally free from tyranny.
The rabbit slowly approached the well and looked down. He whispered a prayer for the spirit of the lion even though the lion had intended to harm him. The rabbit understood that cruelty and arrogance destroy even the strong. He hopped back to the forest clearing where the animals were anxiously waiting.
When the animals saw the rabbit return alone they gasped. They feared the lion would soon storm through the forest searching for more victims. But when the rabbit told them what had happened their fear melted into disbelief and then into overwhelming joy. They lifted the little rabbit high and danced through the forest, cheering for the smallest animal who had displayed the greatest courage.
From that day onward the forest flourished once again. The deer walked freely without hiding. The monkeys swung from branch to branch without fear. The birds filled the air with songs. The creatures never forgot the rabbit’s bravery and intelligence. They carved stories into tree bark, painted scenes onto stones, and passed the tale down to their children so future generations would remember that wisdom can defeat oppression when used with courage and integrity.
The rabbit however remained humble. He never asked for glory or reward. He simply wanted harmony restored. He continued living quietly in the forest tending to the earth and guiding the younger animals. Whenever anyone asked him how he defeated the lion he smiled and said that strength may shake the ground but wisdom can reshape the world.
Moral Lesson
True strength does not always come from the body but from the mind and the heart. A single wise action can free many who live in fear. Pride and cruelty lead to downfall while humility and intelligence create harmony. The story teaches us that problems often appear impossible until someone dares to think differently. When faced with challenges we must rely on wisdom courage and compassion rather than force. A community thrives when its members protect one another and stand against injustice with clarity and moral strength.
Knowledge Check
- Why did the lion become feared in the forest
Answer: Because he demanded daily sacrifices and ruled with cruelty. - What made the rabbit different from the other animals
Answer: He used intelligence and courage instead of fear. - What did the lion see in the well
Answer: His own reflection which he mistook for a rival lion. - Why did the rabbit survive while the lion did not
Answer: The rabbit used cleverness to outsmart the lion’s pride. - How did the animals react after the rabbit returned
Answer: They celebrated with joy and praised his bravery. - What overall message does the story teach
Answer: Wisdom and humility are stronger than brute force and arrogance.
Source
Adapted from Cambodia Folk Literature Preservation Project, 2012.
Cultural Origin
Central Cambodian animal fables.
