The Lion, The Monkeys and The Jungle

A long time ago, the vassals of the ancient kingdom, had disintegrated as people who would honor their land, culture, and monarch. Hard times had passed and the Angkor Wat in Cambodia was left desolate, inhabited by the locals and the tropical weather that had forcefully invaded into nature. The birds had twittered, the macaques had screeched, and the owls had hooted only to alert the passers- by of the break of spring. Colorful butteries were in business as the mid of March had arrived, and there was Ton-tek deeply pondering about what may happen to his ancestral property that now lay threatened. It was rumored that his village was in for an invasion by the tax collectors. These greedy puppets of the government were let loose to grab land and money.

One cool but sunny day, Ton-tek, a young student only a dozen years old was going to school in a silver sarong, a loose-tting lower body garment, a white shirt, and a krama, a scarf. Traditional clothing gave attraction to his dark features, black hair, and his short structure. He looked scholarly just like the elders in his small village by the river. Nothing was bothersome to his open mind. Overall, he was a likeable person. Yet, something nagged at him, deep inside. He just wanted know what was eating him from the interior. Several questions had swelled up in his heart and his mind was aching to trash them. Joohm ree-up soo a, hello! called out his peer at school. But, Ton-tek was too busy thinking about what would happen between his father and him by the riverside that evening. Each word and every sentence by his mentor meant more than the worth of gold for Ton-tek. Words of wisdom were all that he cared for. Turning to his classmate, he gave his salutations in return, Tiveaj sous-dei, good afternoon. Then, he quickly hurried off to learn and for the sake of honor the squires reputation. His father, Tonthumpan was a squire, the wise, the kind and the talented. Khrew, teacher, forgive me for the interruption, but who could the samdech, the king, of the jungle be? The lion is, of course. Who are the most rowdy? The monkeys are. Then, who or what could be in the middle? To this the teacher kept silent. Then he retorted, Ton-tek that is enough! Just get back home, you good for nothing! Obediently, Ton-tek retreated. His father stood at the gateway surprised at his early arrival. With quick steps, the young boy sank into his fathers arms. He cried and spoke his mind. The father embraced his son and led him to the other side of the courtyard to enter into a deep and signicant discussion. This is how it all began: Once there was the king, Jayavarman, the Lion of the jungle. Then, there were his subjects, half of whom supported his policies, and half who

were disloyal to him, the rowdy and the anarchical people. They had ittered around the Lion, wanting favors in return and colluding with the kings nearby. Despite Jayavarmans fairness for all, he sometimes favored the wise over the others. He believed that only the wise knew of all things. Surprisingly, no one could tell what fell in the Middle. As much as the king was confused so were his courtiers. The most perplexed were the wise themselves. Time had passed since then in search of answers. One king had come and the other gone while nally the empire had ended with Angkor Wat left behind as a reminder of those magnicent days. Silently, the squire, Ton-thampan, backed away and went into the chambers leaving Ton-tek happy though not fully satised. Tontek left home and strolled towards the jungle. It was here he found the peace and the silence.

A month passed, the news of the tax collectors arrival spread like wild re. Tonteks village already was on the tip of collapse: the system, the peace and the security in it. Now, what good was the tax collector going to do anyhow? The villagers had decided to chase him away. That very day, as the collector arrived, he was chased by an angry mob armed with sickles and wooden shovels. Off he went, straight to the squires house. Strangely, the family gave him refuge without thought. Or perhaps, was it

intended? Ton-tek was asked to bring him a plate of saich, rice, and stew followed by lotus stem dessert. By nightfall, Ton-tek sneaked into the guests chamber wanting to ask questions about what the purpose of the tax collection was nally going to be. With courage and stealing an eye away from his father, Ton-tek began his interrogation. Nay-uk, brother, what do you think lies between the King and his subjects? With thoughtful beady eyes, the collector answered, It must be what or who between the Lion and the Monkeys. Ton tek was astonished at the similarity he used in his reply. indent for paragraphs What is the Who, and the Who is the What, the collector went on munching on the savory stew. He continued the intake as if satised with the shelter and food he received. All of a sudden, Ton-tek was enlightened. He understood the Who and the What of all situations. Like a little Buddha, he half closed his eyes too and smiling, walked out leaving the greed behind. Ton-tek was convinced that all was going to be okay by morning. With the rising sun, the villagers had collected around Ton-thumpans house thumping rudely on the wooden door at the entrance yelling for the ofcer. With courage and a ready posture, Ton-thumpan had answered. Ton-tek stood behind his father as if to give him cover. Do not bother, it will be only momentary, calmly replied Ton-thumpan. NO NO, hand him over to us, demanded the angry crowd. It wont be necessary because we know what to do with him, Ton-thampan said convincingly. Taking his words seriously, the crowd gradually dispersed, though not quite contented. Ton-tek followed his father into their home. The wooden gate was closed back again and the family went back to their own business. Before dawn, the two men of the family along with the tax collector left for a not so common destination. They were heading for the Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple originally bequeathed to the Buddhists some years later in the mid-century. It had become a total wilderness by such time, with the gigantic forest greens overtaking the massive lands. No one lived there, and the trio were the only ones walking in this dense forest with a specic purpose. Ton-thumpan stopped to take a gulp of water, and offered the same to the ofcer. Ton-tek noticed how his father was treating the ofcial with such respect and calm. Do you see the Mountain? Ton-thumpan asked the representative clothed in khaki. No, I dont, he simply replied. It is everywhere. This is the abode of Shiva. Do you not see anything? questioned Ton-thumpan as Ton-tek stood beside half smiling and half in awe. I do and I dont. What is that you propose to do with me? Are you going to make a release or a kill? asked the ofcial in khaki. I have no such intentions. I only want to know if you and your people can see or feel Mount Meru. If you cannot, then you probably would not have understood how wise it sometimes is to leave things as they are. This is to avoid conict, concern and irritation to what already is, spoke Ton-thumpan wisely. In this silence and desolation lay all the answers.

Why do we need to undo what is already there, and that which is so beautiful? continued Ton-thumpan looking straight into the eyes of the man. In silence, the tax collector more or less took home the meaning of those words. He knew that Tonthumpan wasnt ghting him on for defeat. Suddenly, feeling peace in his heart, he bowed down and set himself in a meditating pose, followed by Ton-thumpan and Ton-tek. They meditated for a while, and later ate the rice dumplings carefully made by the lady of the house. The quietness of the forest took over, and the re raging in the heart of the ofcial backed up. It was not meant to be a defeat, but a victory. No one could see Mount Meru. It was imagined by Jayavarman II, who had built the Angkor Wat. Meru did exist for the believers for generations to come. Just the way the lion and the monkeys stayed in the very same jungle, and it was the forest that was in between the two. The jungle was their home enlarging their purpose of survival and living. Likewise, if the order could remain, the locals with their ancient lifestyles could exist with the arrogant. Ton-thumpan wanted to show that there was no need to build conict. Also, he wanted to demonstrate how there was no need to break the peaceful environment. After all, the lion, the monkeys and the jungle itself are all one.

GLOSSARY
sarong: a loose tting lower garment

krama: a scarf you can wrap around your face, neck or head joohm ree-up soo a: hello tiveaj sous-dei: good afternoon khrew: teacher samdech: king saich: rice nay-uk: brother

About The Author

Min Jae Kim is a Korean student that now lives in New Delhi, India and attends the American Embassy School. She was born in seoul in 2000. Min Jae has lived in Korea before she came to India in 2004. She did not publish but she wrote many poems as it is her hobby to write poems. She wrote, Balloons, Happy Birthday Dad, The New Year, The Artist, Anger, Teachers, Color, Memories, Emotions, A Doll, Out & In, The Camel Long, A Rattle Snake, Atop the Mountain, and many more. The first folktale Min Jae ever wrote, The Lion, The Monkeys and The Jungle is a deep thought folktale over a long period of research and it is now finished with effort. Min Jae Kim and her family visits Korea every summer vacation to enjoy lots of healthy and delicious foods of her home.

Physical Map of Cambodia

Citation: "Cambodia Physical Map." By Maps.com from Maps.com. Maps.com, 2013. Web. 21 Mar. 2013. <http://www.maps.com/ref_map.aspx?pid=11953>.

Review

"I love the way Min Jae showed the character traits. It makes me think that the main character is a little Budha or something! I also love the way the character thinks about the tiger the monkey and the forest and then connects it back to political ideas and parties! I think that is one of the things that really tie the story all together. Over all, I really loved this piece and think the author did an amazing job!" -Tsiala Corboz Werntz

"A very interesting folktale. Amazing characters and stunning plot." -Boa

"The story is carried out with interesting dialogues and you can clearly see the characteristics of different characters. I love the way the wisdom is so mind boggling, but there is a really deep meaning to it." -New York Times