The Argument of the River Kings

The Hippopotamus and the Crocodile both claimed to be the king of the river. The Hippo said, "I am king because I am the largest and strongest. My footsteps shake the riverbed." The Crocodile said, "I am king because I am the oldest and most cunning. My teeth are the law of the river." They decided to settle the matter with a contest. "Whoever can bring the most valuable tribute from the land to the river will be king," they agreed. The Hippo charged out of the water and uprooted a whole banana tree, dragging it back into the river. The Crocodile, however, simply waited by the river's edge. A young woman came to fetch water, wearing beautiful brass jewelry. The Crocodile snatched her, took her jewelry, and then released her, terrified. He presented the shining brass to the other river animals. They declared the Crocodile the winner, because while the Hippo had brought a large tribute, it was common and would rot away. The Crocodile had brought a treasure that was rare, beautiful, and would last forever. The story teaches that value is not always measured in size or strength, but in rarity and enduring quality.