Long ago, on a clear and sunny morning in May, Pọ Pha, the Sky Lord, heard a beautiful singing voice drifting up from the human world below. The song was gentle and smooth, then playful and lively, as if the singer were joyfully moving through the air. The sound crossed mountain peaks, filled deep valleys, and echoed along stone cliffs, surprising Pọ Pha and making him curious. He wondered which creature could sing with such beauty and ordered all animals on earth to come before him so he could discover the truth.
When the animals gathered, Pọ Pha asked who owned the beautiful voice. None dared to answer at first. Then the Gecko suddenly stepped forward, loudly claiming that the wonderful song belonged to him. To prove it, he was told to sing. The Gecko cried out his rough, familiar call, which clearly did not match the lovely voice Pọ Pha had heard. Some animals covered their mouths and laughed, while Pọ Pha became angry at the Gecko’s arrogance and dishonesty. In his fury, Pọ Pha struck the Gecko, forcing him to flee back to the human world, where he hid forever in rocky cracks, afraid of being punished again.
After calming down, Pọ Pha asked once more who truly sang the beautiful song. This time, the Monkey respectfully spoke up, explaining that among tree dwelling animals, the Gibbon was known as the best singer. The Gibbon stepped forward politely. She was young, graceful, and gentle in manner. She humbly explained that her singing was meant for the forests and mountains of the human world, but she would sing for Pọ Pha if he wished.
When the Gibbon began to sing, the sky grew quiet. Pọ Pha smiled, stroked his beard, and slowly closed his eyes, completely absorbed by the sound. The song was clear, emotional, and soothing, exactly what he had heard earlier. When it ended, Pọ Pha joyfully declared that this was the voice he had been searching for.
Pọ Pha then asked how the Gibbon had learned to sing so beautifully. She explained that animals who live in trees practice their voices from a very young age, learning how to make their calls gentle up close and powerful across long distances. Pleased and impressed, Pọ Pha praised the Gibbon, and all the animals celebrated together.
From that day on, the Gibbon was allowed to live high in the mountains, where her voice could travel far and wide. Her song became a reminder that true talent comes from patience, practice, and honesty, not from pride or false claims.