Cultures Around the World From

CULTURES AROUND THE WORLD FROM

RETOLD BY ART BY PAT KATIE BETTELEY CANTRELL

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ISBN 978-0-8126-6505-5 CHARACTERS: Narrator 1, Narrator 2, Tiger, Gibbon, Water Bufalo, Gecko, Elephant, Pangolin, Snake

Narrator 1: Four animals sat gazing at the ruins of ancient Angkor Wat.

Tiger: Look at those old stone carvings of kings. Kings in parades. Kings at feasts. Kings fghting battles. I would have been a fne king, with my amazing strength.

Gibbon: Muscles are not always the answer. I would have been a fner king than you, as I would rule with compassion and kindness.

Water Bufalo: What makes a fne ruler is strength of character. If I were king, nothing could make me give up.

Gecko: What about bravery? I would have been a great warrior who was fearless in battle.

Elephant: Many qualities are necessary to be a good king including strength, kindness, diligence, and bravery.

Gibbon: Where did you come from, Elephant? I did not see you sitting there.

Elephant: Never mind. Go to the temple on that hilltop to fnd out if you are truly worthy to be king,

Water Bufalo: What temple? Do you mean that ruin over there?

Gecko: I have been all over this jungle, but I have never seen that ruin before.

2 7 Tiger: No matter. I shall beat you Elephant: Unfortunately, you were foolish not to realize the danger you were to the hill! in. You were actually in great peril, and lacked the wisdom to understand your situation. Gibbon: You will not get there before me!

Narrator 2: The animals took a walk down the path to think about Elephant’s Water Bufalo: I am determined to win! words. They realized that none of them had all the qualities of a great king. When they returned to the temple, Elephant was gone. But all around them Gecko: I will see you at the top! were wondrous carvings of an ancient Elephant King: scenes of strength, kindness, diligence, and bravery. Narrator 2: Tiger raced through the jungle. He came to a swamp guarded by a ferce Snake. The enormous reptile Tiger: I will try to be more considerate, like the King. was coiled, ready to strike. Tiger took one mighty leap, sailed over Snake’s head, and ran on. Gibbon: I will work on not being lazy. Narrator 1: Next, Tiger came across a bird with a broken Water Bufalo: I must overcome my fears. wing. He pretended not to hear Crane’s calls for help, and hurried on. Meanwhile, Gibbon had swung through the Gecko: And I will learn to be less foolhardy. trees until he met the snake.

Narrator 1: All of the animals learned something about being a good leader Gibbon: You seem to be tangled in the branches. I that day. And they never forgot their meeting with the fnal king of Angkor will help you. Wat. Narrator 2: After untangling Snake’s coils, Gibbon hurried off toward the hill. But soon, the monkey got tired. He spied a Pangolin plodding through the jungle.

Gibbon: Can I hitch a ride? WORD HELP Pangolin: Hop on, friend. • Diligence is careful and persistent work. • A pangolin is a scaly mammal that eats ants. Narrator 1: Water Buffalo pushed tirelessly • Foolhardy means to act recklessly or without thinking. through the jungle until she heard a hissing voice.

6 3 Snake: Do not fear. I will let you pass.

Water Bufalo: I would like to believe you, but slinky, slithery, creatures terrify me. I will go a different route!

Narrator 2: Water Buffalo was determined to fnish, but she had to trek around the far edge of the swamp through a tangle of twisted trees. Gecko, too, found the Snake barring his way.

Gecko: I am not afraid. You are too slow to catch me!

Narrator 1: Gecko dodged his way past Snake and ran on toward the distant hill. Finally, the four animals arrived at the temple on the hilltop.

Tiger: Is that you, Elephant?

Gibbon: I thought we left you at the ruins with all the carved kings.

Water Bufalo: Yes, how did you beat us here?

Gecko: Very curious. Gibbon: (nodding) It was I. Elephant: You have done well, friends. Each has reached the top of the hill. But your journeys have revealed your strengths and weaknesses. Elephant: But you tired quickly, choosing to ride on the back of another rather than make your own way. One animal was determined to run the race by Tiger: What do you mean? Am I not the mightiest? herself, though. She kept going tirelessly.

Elephant: Clearly, yes. Your strength allowed you to escape danger and be the Water Bufalo: (snorting proudly) You noticed. frst to reach the top of the hill. Elephant: However, you lacked the courage to face your fears. You let the Snake Tiger: (roaring in triumph) Then I am the WINNER! force you far from the path. Another of you was bravest. He faced a terrible foe without fear. Elephant: But, you ignored Crane’s call for help along the way. You lack compassion for others. There was another who was kind to a stranger, though. Gecko: (chirping happily) You are talking about me.

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