In a Khmer village by the river, an old buffalo and his young calf were plowing the farmer’s rice field. The calf complained,
“Father, why must we work every day? The ducks rest, the birds sing, and we always pull heavy loads!”

The old buffalo smiled and replied,
“My child, work gives life. The rice we help grow feeds the farmer, his family, and even the birds you envy.”

But the calf didn’t believe him. One morning, he ran away to the nearby forest to rest and play.

Days later, a drought struck. The fields cracked, and the animals grew hungry. The calf, lost and weak, wandered back to the farm — and saw his father still working hard to dig water channels for the farmer.

The farmer brought him food and gently said,
“Your father’s strength keeps us all alive.”

Ashamed, the calf stood beside his father and said,
“I understand now. Working for others is the truest way to live.”

From that day, the calf worked proudly beside his father until the fields turned green again.

👉 Moral of the story: Hard work and responsibility bring respect and purpose.