The country of Malaysia consists of the Peninsular Malaysia, which is part of mainland Southeast Asia, and the states of Sabah and Sarawak (east Malaysia) on the northern edges of the island of Borneo.

In essence, the coastal plains here (in some areas rather wide) rise gently into hills and mountains, all covered by dense rain forests.

Countrywide, elevations average between 3,500 to 6,000 feet, with the major exception being Malaysia's highest point, Mt. Kinabalu, at 13,451 ft. (4,100 m) in the State of Sabah.

The lowest point of the country is the South China Sea at 0 m. Off the coastlines of Malaysia are hundreds of very small islands (dots on a sea of blue).

Running along the peninsula are numerous caves, carved out by water eroding limestone, with the Mulu Caves in East Malaysia being the largest in the world.

Over two dozen rivers of size flow from the mountains, with the Pahang, Rajang and Sugut being the most significant.

There are only two natural lakes within Malaysia's borders: Bera Lake and Tasik Chini. Created in 1985, Kenyir Lake is an artificial lake that is said to be the largest in the world, covering some 100 sq miles (260 sq km).

§  Landforms of Asia 

§  Rivers of Asia 

The Lion and the Hare

India, The Panchatantra

In the middle of a forest there lived a lion by the name of Bhâsuraka (Heroic One). In consequence of his great strength he unceasingly killed many gazelles, hares, and other animals.
One day all the forest creatures assembled. Gazelles, boars, buffalo, wild oxen, hares, and so forth, went to him and said, "Sir, why are you unnecessarily murdering all the wild animals, when one animal would be sufficient to fill you? Therefore enter into an agreement with us. From this day forth you may sit here quietly, and every day one animal will come to you, as his turn comes up, and allow you to eat him. In this manner you can effortlessly acquire your nourishment, and we will not be wholly exterminated. That is the right of a king, and let it thus be carried out."
After hearing their words, Bhâsuraka said, "What you say is true. But if ever an animal fails to come to me here, then I will surely devour all of you."
They sealed their promise with the words, "So be it!" and now, free of danger, they moved fearlessly about the forest. However, every day, in turn, one animal came to the lion: an old one, one who had renounced all earthly affairs, one who was torn by grief, or one who feared he might lose his wife and children. One animal presented himself to the lion every noon to serve as his meal.
Following the predetermined order, it became the hare's turn, and however little he liked it, he was sent to the lion by the other animals. He walked as slowly as possible and thus missed the established deadline. With a fearful heart he sought a way to escape death. Toward the end of the day he finally arrived.
The lion, famished from his long wait, was filled with anger. Licking the corners of his mouth, he thought, "Aha! Tomorrow I shall kill all the creatures in the forest."
Just as he was thinking this the hare walked up, bowed, and stood before him.
When the lion saw that this creature, who otherwise was so light-footed, was the one who had arrived so late, he was filled with anger and spoke threateningly, "Hey, you miserable little hare. It had to be you who come so long after the appointed time, you who otherwise are the most light-footed of them all! Because of your failure, after I have killed you, tomorrow I am going to exterminate all the rest of the animals."
To this the hare bowed and spoke humbly, "Sir, it is neither my fault nor the fault of the other animals. Would you like to hear the cause of my tardiness?"
The lion said, "Speak quickly, before you find yourself between my teeth!"
The hare said, "Sir, after learning from the other animals that today was my turn, I was sent away with four hares. On my way here I was approached by another large lion, who came from his den and said to me, 'Hey there! Where are you going? Pay homage to your guardian angel!' I answered, 'We are going, in keeping with our contract, to our lord Bhâsuraka, in order to serve as his meal.' To that he said, 'If that is so, then all of the animals must also enter into a contract with me, because this forest belongs to me. This Bhâsuraka is a miserable thief. But if he is king here, then leave the four hares here as hostages, and demand that he come here as quickly as possible, so that the one of us who can prove himself king through his strength will be able to eat all the animals here.' Then following his order I came here. That is the reason why I am late. Now your order is my command!"
Having heard this, Bhâsuraka said, "My dear, if this is the case then quickly show me this rogue of a lion so I can vent my anger against the other animals on him and become myself once again."
The hare said, "Sir, you are right. We warriors go to battle to protect our homeland and to fight against evil. This enemy lives in a castle. If he attacks us from his castle, we'll be threatened, but if he stays in his castle, he'll be difficult to overcome."
Bhâsuraka answered, "My dear, lead me to this rogue. Even if he is in a castle, I will kill him."
The hare said, "But I have seen that he is very powerful. Sir, it is not good for you to go without knowing his strength."
Bhâsuraka said, "Ha! What is this to you? Lead me to him, even if he does live in a castle."
The hare said, "If you insist, come with me, sir."
After saying this he set forth and went to a well. There he said to Bhâsuraka, "Sir, who is able to withstand your majesty? This rogue saw you coming from afar and has retreated into his castle. Come here and I will show him to you."
After hearing this Bhâsuraka said, "My dear, show me his castle at once!"
Then the hare showed him the well. The foolish lion, seeing his own reflection in the middle of the well, roared fiercely. A doubly loud roar echoed up from within the well.
Hearing this, he thought, "He is very powerful," and he threw himself on him, and thus he lost his life.
The hare, on the other hand, after having cheerfully reported back to the other animals, was greatly praised by them, and he lived happily in the forest.

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• Source: The Panchatantra, book 1.
• I have used the following edition: "Der Löwe und der Hase," Pantschatantra: Fünf Bücher indischer Fabeln, Märchen und Erzählungen. Aus dem Sanskrit übersetzt mit Einleitung und Anmerkungen von Theodor Benfey, vol. 2 (Leipzig: F. A. Brockhaus, 1859), pp. 62-67.
• Translated from the German by D. L. Ashliman. © 2002. I have omitted from this translation the lengthy philosophical digressions dealing with the nature and limitations of a monarch's power.
• About The Panchatantra:

One of India's most influential contributions to world literature, The Panchatantra (also spelled Pañcatantra or Pañca-tantra) consists of five books of animal fables and magic tales (some 87 stories in all) that were compiled in their current form between the third and fifth centuries AD. It is believed that even then the stories were already ancient. The tales' self-proclaimed purpose is to educate the sons of royalty.

Although the original author's or compiler's name is unknown, an Arabic translation from about 750 AD attributes The Panchatantra to a wise man called Bidpai, which is probably a Sanskrit word meaning "court scholar."

The fables of The Panchatantra found their way to Europe through oral folklore channels and by way of Persian and Arabic translations. They substantially influenced medieval writers of fables.

• Link to additional Tales from the Panchatantra.
• Return to the table of contents.

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The Lion and the Hare

Bidpai

In the neighborhood of Baghdad there was a beautiful meadow, which was the home of many wild animals. They would have lived very happily there had it not been for one mischief-loving lion. Every day this lion wandered about, killing many helpless creatures for the mere sport of the slaying.
To put an end to this, the animals gathered in a body, and going to the lion, spoke to him in this manner, "King lion, we are proud to have such a brave and valiant beast to rule over us. But we do not think that it is fitting for one of your rank to hunt for his own food. We therefore wait upon you with this request: Henceforth do you remain quietly at home, and we your subjects will bring to your lair such food as it is fitting that a king should eat."
The lion, who was greatly flattered, immediately accepted their offer. Thus every day the animals drew lots to decide who among their number should offer himself for the lion's daily portion. In due time it came about that the lot fell upon the hare. Now the hare, when he learned that it was his turn to die, complained bitterly.
"Do you not see that we are still tormented by that lion?" he asked the other animals. "Only leave it to me, and I will release you for all time from his tyranny."
The other animals were only too glad at these words, and told the hare to go his way. The hare hid for some time in the bushes, and then hurried to the lion's lair. By this time the lion was as angry as he was hungry. He was snarling, and lashing his yellow tail on the ground.
When he saw the hare, he called out loudly, "Who are you, and what are my subjects doing? I have had no morsel of food today!"
The hare besought him to calm his anger and listen to him. "The lot fell today," he began, "on another hare and myself. In good season we were on our way here to offer ourselves for your dinner, when a lion sprang out of the bushes and seized my companion. In vain I cried to him that we were destined for the king's table, and, moreover, that no one was permitted to hunt in these royal woods except your majesty. He paid no heed to my words save to retort, 'You do not know what you are saying. I am the only king here. That other lion, to whom you all bow down, is a usurper.' Dumb with fright, I jumped into the nearest bush."
The lion grew more and more indignant as he listened to the hare's tale.
"If I could once find that lion," he roared, "I would soon teach him who is king of these woods."
"If your majesty will trust me," answered the hare, humbly, "I can take you to his hiding place."
So the hare and the lion went out together. They crossed the woods and the meadow, and came to an ancient well, which was full of clear, deep water.
"Yonder is the home of your enemy," whispered the hare, pointing to the well. "If you go near enough, you can see him. But," he added, "perhaps you had better wait until he comes out before you attack him."
These words only made the lion more indignant. "He shall not live a moment after I have laid eyes upon him," he growled.
So the hare and the lion approached stealthily to the well. As they bent over the edge and looked down into the clear water, they saw themselves reflected there. The lion, thinking that it was the other lion with the other hare, leaped into the well, never to come out again.

BAWANG PUTIH AND BAWANG MERAH

            Once upon a time, in East Java, lived a beautiful girl named Bawang Putih. Her father has passed away, and she lived with her stepmother and stepsister. Before her father passed away, her stepmother and stepsister were very kind to her. On the contrary, two days after her father passed away, they treated their badly. She had to do all the house work. Her stepmother said:

“Bawang Putih, from this moment, you have to clean the house, guard the house, wash the clothes, and cook delicious meals.”

“But mother…”

“No but! You must obey my rule! What do you think? I love you?? Oh… No… No… No… I hate you! Why must I kind to my stepdaughter, ha!?”

“How poor you are” said her stepsister with a sly smile.

Her stepsister was Bawang Merah. She was very lazy, and she always got dress every time. But, Bawang Putih was more beautiful than her.

One day, Bawang Putih went to river to wash a lot of clothes. Then, she looked a goldfish cried and needed help. Its mouth was involved by an angler. Seeing the condition Bawang Putih felt sorry and helped it.

“Thank you for your kindness, would you like to be my friend” asked the goldfish.

Bawang Putih was very surprised, the goldfish could speak! And Bawang Putih answered nervously: “O… Of course”. Then, the fish helped her in washing and they become a best friend.

Unfortunately, their friendship couldn’t last because her stepsister knew it. And her mom asked Bawang Merah to catch it. Then, Bawang Merah caught the fish and gave it to her mom. After that, they cooked it, and ate it! When Bawang Putih knew the fish was her friend, she took the bones and said:

“Oh my friend, forgive me… I can’t take care of you… I don’t know they will eat you. I’m sorry if I can’t reply your kindness to me… Good bye friend, good bye…”

Bawang Putih buried her friend sadly. Several days later, grew a beautiful tree, with beautiful flowers on the burial. Surprisingly, a Prince came to see it and need it to be his father’s because only the tree could help his father to be well again. The prince said:

“Who is the owner of the tree?”

“Oh, it’s mine…” answered Bawang Merah.

“Could you pull and gave it to me?”

“Of course…”

Bawang Merah tried to pull it but she couldn’t. Everybody also tried, but they also couldn’t. Then, the Prince looked at Bawang Putih and felt in love with her and asked her to pull the tree. Miraculous! The tree could pulled by her and she gave it to the prince. The prince said:

“Oh beautiful girl. Thank you for the tree. I love you. Would you become my wife?”

Bawang Putih only smiled and nodded. The Prince married her, and Bawang Putih has forgiven her stepmother and stepsister. And they lived happily ever after.

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