Once upon a time, in a land surrounded by a monsoon-drenched peninsula, there lived many creatures who all had different castes. The precipitation was so heavy that it caused sediment to form in the rivers and streams.
One day, a group of friends—a bird, a monkey, and a fish—decided to go on an adventure to find the source of the sacred river that flowed through their land. They journeyed through mountains and valleys, braving the rain and wind, until they finally arrived at the source of the river.
To their surprise, they found that the river was formed by the tears of a giant who cried every time it rained. The friends felt sorry for the giant and decided to cheer him up by performing a silly dance. The giant couldn't help but laugh and his tears turned into a clear stream. From then on, the river was no longer sacred, but a symbol of friendship and joy for all creatures in the land, regardless of their caste.

Reflections

1. What was the goal of the bird, monkey, and fish?
2. How did the friends make the giant stop crying?
3. Why was the river sacred before the friends' adventure?
4. What does the clear stream symbolize at the end of the story?
5. What message does this story convey about friendship and joy?