The Rage of Moni Mekhala and Ream Eyso

In the deep forests of Cambodia, there once lived a wise and powerful hermit. Though he enjoyed living in solitude, the hermit owned a small school, in which he taught magic and ritual formulas. It was known that at the end of each school year, the hermit awarded a unique gift to the student he thought was the most remarkable.

Now, the hermit did not allow just anyone into the school. While only a handful of students were accepted, the hermit recognized two of his pupils he saw great potential in.

One of the hermit’s ideal students was a goddess of water and lightning named Moni Mekhala and the other was a frightful giant named Ream Eyso. Moni Mekhala effortlessly swam through water and air and Ream Eyso quickly transported anywhere due to his enormous build and claw-like hands. The two students -- both attentive, hardworking, and brilliant -- were near the end of their studies with the hermit. This school year was different because it meant that the hermit had to determine which of the two was more deserving of his gift. He decided the gift this year was a magical glass ball.

Because the hermit could not make a decision on who was the most remarkable student, he initiated a challenge for Moni Mekhala and Ream Eyso that would resolve his dilemma. He presented each with an empty glass cup. “Take this glass and fill it to the very top with nature’s morning dew,” the hermit instructed. “The first one to return with a full glass will be the winner and shall receive my gift.”

So, Moni Mekhala and Ream Eyso grabbed a glass and took off.

On her way home, Moni Mekhala thought she had a brilliant plan. Before bedtime, she set one of her handkerchiefs upon the grass and let it lie overnight. Afterwards, she quickly fell asleep.

After Ream Eyso got home, he believed he created the most clever plan to successfully complete the hermit’s challenge and to be deemed as his most outstanding student. And so, he went to bed. Early next morning, the giant awoke before the sun and he tramped into a modest field with some trees scattered throughout. “Ha! I will show them I am the best student,” the giant bellowed to himself. He yanked some leaves from a tree and began to squeeze them as much as he could between his enormous fingers, watching as beads of water glided down each leaf into his glass.

When Moni Mekhala awoke that same morning, she hurried outside to the handkerchief. She squeezed the damp handkerchief into her glass, excitedly watching as the dew immediately filled the glass. She raced to the hermit at the school to present her full glass of dew. “Ah, you have won this challenge,” the hermit declared. And so, he presented Moni Mekhala with a beautiful, bejeweled glass ball. “Guard this with your life as it is a very powerful tool,” he cautioned as Moni Mekhala carefully held it in her hands. Overjoyed, Moni Mekhala expressed gratitude and left.

Then, Ream Eyso barged in, “Ahaha I have won!”

The hermit shook his head. “Actually, the goddess was just here before you,” he informed the giant.

The giant became furiously upset. So, the hermit offered him a consolation prize, giving him a shiny axe of gold. Ream Eyso accepted the prize, but still wasn’t satisfied; he became determined to seize Moni Mekhala’s powerful prize. Over time, Ream Eyso made many attempts to steal the glass ball -- flirting with the goddess, following and taunting her, scaring her -- but Moni Mekhala never conceded.

One day, after all his failed attempts, Ream Eyso had had enough. “That ball will be mine!” he roared. At the same time, he launched his gold axe with great force at Moni Mekhala. The axe narrowly missed Moni Mekhala, who was hovering in the skies, but it created a booming sound.

Moni Mekhala became enraged. “Ha, it will never be yours!” she retorted. “There’s a reason why I got to the hermit first. You lack the brains and skills!”

“Give me the ball!” demanded Ream Eyso. “Or I will destroy you!”

When Moni Mekhala didn’t comply, the giant chased after her, targeting his axe towards her. Moni Mekhala barely avoided it. Whenever the axe missed her, it produced a thunderous sound each time.

Moni Mekhala didn’t like his threats. "I'm not afraid of you, but you should be afraid of me," the goddess warned him. She launched the glass ball above her, generating a flash of bright light in the sky that blinded Ream Eyso and knocked him down. She flew off and disappeared into the clouds.