High on a clifftop stood a great mango grove, and there lived a troop of monkeys with their king — old Bir. Every morning he'd call out, “Little ones eat first, then the rest of us.” But tiny Laphu never listened — leaping branch to branch, he'd brag, “Nobody can jump like me! Why's the old king so scared of everything?”
One noon, all at once — the smell of burning! Smoke rose from the far woods, and red fire came racing tree to tree — crackle and roar! Birds scattered in a rush, and the monkeys shrieked in fear. Calm-voiced, Bir called — “No fear! Everyone to the ravine's edge — take the little ones first!”
At the ravine's edge they all stopped short. Ahead — a deep gorge, so wide there was no crossing it! The green woods beckoned across the gap, but between lay only empty air. Fire behind, gorge ahead. Even Laphu, the finest jumper of all, looked down and shivered — “Even… even I can't leap that far.”
Bir's eyes measured the gorge. He tied a long cane-vine round his waist, fixed his gaze on the far tree, and leaped with all his might — whoosh! His hands caught the far branch, his feet held fast on this side. He stretched his own body taut across the chasm — a living bridge! “Come — step on my back and cross. Don't be afraid!”
One by one the monkeys climbed onto the king's back. Thud… thud… thud… one foot… another foot… on their little feet they dashed across. Bir's arms burned, his back bent under the weight — but he clenched his teeth and held on. “Don't be scared — go faster!” he panted.
Last of all came Laphu. The moment he stepped onto the king's back, he saw it — Bir's hands trembling, eyes shut, beads of sweat on his brow, yet not one sound from him. Only now did Laphu understand: Bir was carrying the whole troop on his own body. His throat tightened. Softly, Bir said — “Go on, child. Don't fear — I've got you.”
By the light of dawn they were all in the far woods — safe! Across the gorge the fire died out; it couldn't cross. Laphu and the little ones eased tired Bir down and bound his swollen hands with tender leaves. Head bowed, Laphu said — “King, today I understand — the one who carries everyone across on his own back is the real hero.” And you — will you look after everyone like that too?