The commander of the water beetle kingdom wanted to retire. To replace him, the water beetle king held a swim competition to find new commander. But the announcement of the competition made Kumbing be sad. "When are you register the swim competition?" asked his mother. Since loss both of his rear leg, Kumbing became an inferiority beetle. His rear legs broke when he fought against a lizard.
Kumbing replied, "Mother, how I can compete against other beetles who have legs intact, whose feet are still six? A water beetle can not swim well when he lost his rear legs. I also will be ridiculed by the other beetles."
However, Kumbing went to participate the competition. When knew this, Kumbung laughed and laughed. "You are just wasting time. With a defective body you'll never be a champion. It is better if you go home!" said Kumbung. For the competition, Kumbing practiced swim everyday. A day before the competition, when Kumbing was practicing to swim, Kumbung came to his house. "Please know it, you are permitted to participate the competition because the commite felt sorry for you."
Kumbing's mother said, "The committee did not say the words. You are a liar!"
"But Kumbing do not have rear legs!" Kumbing said curtly and left them.
Kumbing said sadly, "See mother, they will laugh at me."
"It is better if we ask to the king, whether you are allowed or not. If you are not allowed, why they did not do while you registered the competition? Early they knew that you have not rear legs," said his mother. Then they went to meet the king.
When met the king, they asked about the rule of the competition. "We are the water beetle, not the bee. The bee have a rule that a disability bee are not permitted to be a soldier. But we have our own rules. Anyway, the first water beetle who reaches the finish line will be the new commander. No matter whether he defects or not," said the king.
When arrived home his mother said, "Kumbung deliberately frightened you, in hope you will not participate the race."
"He often peeked my practice. He always laughed and made fun of me," said Kumbing.
"Do not care him. Go ahead, boy!" said his mother. "Your fight against the lizard showed that you are not a weak water beetle. Despite you loss your rear legs but you could escape from the lizard. I saw one of the lizard's eye was blind and he became a lame lizard. You are not a common beetle." His mother encouraged his spirit.
The day of competition, all water beetles saw the race. There were hundreds of contestants, among them were Kumbing and Kumbung. When the starting flag was flapped, the contestants tried to precede the others. It was a hard competition. Not half of the path, Kumbung could not continue his game, he had a stomach ache. When approaching the finish line, Kumbing took all his ability. He turned his four legs like a propeller. Then he swam at high speed. All who see were amazed, including the king that waiting at the finish line.
When the competition was over, the king speech, "Behold! Just this once we have a four-legged commander! Never see the disability, but look at the spirit! It is a lesson that disability does not prevent to be the best!" Kumbung feel ashamed and apologized to Kumbing. And Kumbing became a good commander. (*)