Ko Pala In Burmese mythology, a king who returned to life as a crab. Ko Pala was chosen king when the ruler of the valley dwellers died with no heir to succeed him. The future king was brought in a basket and placed in the former king’s house during the night. The people were so exhausted by the funeral ceremonies for the dead king that they accepted Ko Pala as the new king without any resistance. His reign, however, did not satisfy the people who had put him in the basket, so they placed him on an island and let him starve to death. After many reincarnations he returned as a crab when the entire land was flooded. He stayed until the waters had receded and then went to Loi Pu Kao (hill that the crab entered) and died.

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Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow-Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante