The rat and the chicken went fishing together. The chicken caught many fish, but the rat was not successful. He begged the chicken to share some fish. The chicken gave the rat some fish. Not satisfied, the greedy rat kept asking for more, until the chicken had only one fish left, which he refused to share for he had saved it for his family. In anger, the rat bit the chicken. When the chicken’s family heard about it, they were very angry. The rat hid himself, but the chicken relatives found him and punished him. They sent him off to Mululang, at the farthest end of the earth to bring some food that they had never seen before. After travelling for many days, the rat found a unique plant called rice. He returned with the rice plant to atone for his crime, but overcome by greed, he laid down a final condition that no one will be able to eat the rice without giving him the first bite. The chickens were so awestruck by this new food that they agreed to give the rat the first taste of the grain, and so it is even today.

Courtesy: Kyong Naga Tale