One slice of a Sweet Cucumber

The Man Of the Sweet Cucumbers

Once upon a time, there was a farmer who was able to grow exceptional cucumbers in his field. They were so sweet they could make you forget about your earthly pains when you ate one, they really had a taste of heaven. The farmer was called the man of the Sweet Cucumbers, Neak Trasak Paem.

The king was so fond of those sweet cucumbers he asked the farmer to save all of his production for the royal consumption. He even gave the farmer a magic spear, so that he could protect his field against thieves and robbers.

Some time later, the king decided to check if his beloved cucumbers were properly guarded. He himself showed up nightly in the field in disguise, but the gardener was alert indeed, and killed the king with the magic spear.

Ministers, dignitaries and astrologers all agreed this was the king's karma, and decided to put the gardener to the throne, since he was so exceptionally trustful (maybe it also helped that he still had the magic spear). He reigned as the Sweet Cucumber king, and proved himself a good king.