In a small village in Cambodia, there lived a boy named Chan.
Chan is a cheerful child and likes playing in the forest.
He often spends his days exploring the dense and beautiful forests.
One day, Chan was playing in the forest when he heard the sound of leaves being stepped on.
He turned around and saw a huge tiger standing in front of him.
The tiger growled and prepared to attack.
Chan was scared. He didn’t know what to do.
He started screaming for help.
Suddenly, an old man appeared in front of Chan.
The man wore a long robe and had a long beard.
“Don’t be afraid,” said the man. “I will protect you.”
The old man drew his stick and swung it at the tiger.
The tiger roared in pain and retreated.
Chan: “Thank you, uncle! What’s your name?”
Old Man: “I am Neak Ta, the spirit of the forest. I am here to protect you.”
Chan knelt in front of the old man. “Thank you for saving me,” he said. “Who are you?”
Neak Ta: “I am Neak Ta,” said the man. “I am the spirit of the forest. I am here to protect you.”
Chan smiled. “Thank you, Neak Ta,” he said. “I will always remember you.”
Neak Ta smiled again. “Goodbye, Chan,” he said. “And be careful in the woods.”
Neak Ta then disappears, leaving Chan alone in the forest.
Chan stood up and looked around.
He still couldn’t believe what had just happened.
He had met Neak Ta, a forest spirit worshiped by the Khmer people.
Chan knows that he will always remember that day.
He will always be grateful to Neak Ta for saving him.
Chan (walking home): “I have to tell everyone in the village about my meeting with Neak Ta!”
The next day, news about Chan’s meeting with Neak Ta spread throughout the village.
People started coming to Chan’s house to hear the story for themselves.
The village that was originally ordinary was now filled with joy and awe.
Villagers (muttering): “Chan is a lucky boy! He is protected by Neak Ta!”
However, this incident did not only make Chan famous in his village.
News of the young man being protected by Neak Ta also reached the ears of a famous poet in Cambodia, who was interested in writing an epic about Chan’s adventures and his encounter with forest spirits.
Quickly, Chan’s story became famous throughout the country.
Books telling his story began to mushroom in bookstores.
This story inspires many children to appreciate nature more and preserve forests.
Chan (interviewed): “I can’t believe how important it is to protect our nature. Thank you, Neak Ta!”
However, fame has not changed Chan.
Even though he is the center of attention, he remains humble and lives his life as usual.
Every time he entered the forest, he always thanked Neak Ta for the protection provided.
Over time, Chan grew into a wise and responsible young man.
He became a hero to his village, not only because of his encounter with Neak Ta, but also because of his kind heart and dedication to protecting the natural world around him.
The story of Chan and Neak Ta has become a legend told from generation to generation.
They have become a symbol of hope and protection, reminding people that nature has mysterious powers and needs to be guarded with the utmost respect.