In a quiet Khmer village, by the edge of the rice fields, grew tall trees and slender bamboo. The tall trees were proud of their thick trunks and wide branches. They looked down at the bamboo and laughed,
“You are weak and thin! When the wind blows, you bend like grass!”

The bamboo bowed gently and said,
“Maybe so, but when the storm comes, we will see who stands tall.”

One day, dark clouds covered the sky. A fierce storm swept across the land. The proud trees resisted the wind, refusing to bend. But the storm grew stronger — and one by one, the great trees cracked and fell.

The bamboo, however, swayed gracefully with the wind, bending low but never breaking.

When the storm ended, the forest was quiet. The bamboo stood tall once again among the fallen trees.

The wind whispered,
“Strength is not only in standing firm, but in knowing when to bend.”

👉 Moral of the story: Flexibility and humility can survive what pride cannot.