Makato and the Cowrie Shell
Makato and the
Cowrie Shell
Retold and translated by Supannee Khanchanathiti
Illustrated by Somchet Kaladis
1
THAILAND
Makato and the
Cowrie Shell
Retold and translated by Supannee Khanchanathiti
Illustrated by Somchet Kaladis
2
Once upon a time there was a boy whose name was Makato. He was an orphan, for his father and mother had died when he was very young. He had no brothers, sisters, cousins, or friends to take care of him, so he had to make a living for himself. He did every kind of work—carrying heavy things, clearing away the forest, or feeding pigs. He never idled over his work, and although he was paid only a small wage, he was satisfied. He knew that if he did not work he would starve. Wherever he went his employers praised him for being sensible, hardworking, good-tempered, and cheerful.
One fine evening after he had finished chopping up a big pile of wood, he sat down for a rest and thought of all he would like to do in the future. He wanted to try his luck in far-off strange lands for he longed for exciting adventures.
“What are you thinking about so deeply, my boy?” asked his employer.
“I would like to go on a journey for adventure,” said Makato pointing to the northeast. “I’ve heard that the land over there is fertile and the people are kind. I wish I could see that land for myself.” His eyes sparkled with excitement.
“The land you wish to go to is called Sukhothai,” said his employer. “They say
Pra Ruang of Sukhothai is a very kindhearted king. You might be lucky if you could go there.”
Some time later, Makato decided to try his fortune. He left his village and set out into the wide world. He walked along cheerfully, enjoying new sights and talking to the people he met on the way. After a month’s journey, he reached a village on the frontier of the kingdom of Sukhothai.
“Please can I have some water to drink?” Makato asked an old woman with a big water pot on her head. “I’m so thirsty.”
“Where did you come from? Why are you here alone?
Cowrie Shell
Retold and translated by Supannee Khanchanathiti
Illustrated by Somchet Kaladis
1
THAILAND
Makato and the
Cowrie Shell
Retold and translated by Supannee Khanchanathiti
Illustrated by Somchet Kaladis
2
Once upon a time there was a boy whose name was Makato. He was an orphan, for his father and mother had died when he was very young. He had no brothers, sisters, cousins, or friends to take care of him, so he had to make a living for himself. He did every kind of work—carrying heavy things, clearing away the forest, or feeding pigs. He never idled over his work, and although he was paid only a small wage, he was satisfied. He knew that if he did not work he would starve. Wherever he went his employers praised him for being sensible, hardworking, good-tempered, and cheerful.
One fine evening after he had finished chopping up a big pile of wood, he sat down for a rest and thought of all he would like to do in the future. He wanted to try his luck in far-off strange lands for he longed for exciting adventures.
“What are you thinking about so deeply, my boy?” asked his employer.
“I would like to go on a journey for adventure,” said Makato pointing to the northeast. “I’ve heard that the land over there is fertile and the people are kind. I wish I could see that land for myself.” His eyes sparkled with excitement.
“The land you wish to go to is called Sukhothai,” said his employer. “They say
Pra Ruang of Sukhothai is a very kindhearted king. You might be lucky if you could go there.”
Some time later, Makato decided to try his fortune. He left his village and set out into the wide world. He walked along cheerfully, enjoying new sights and talking to the people he met on the way. After a month’s journey, he reached a village on the frontier of the kingdom of Sukhothai.
“Please can I have some water to drink?” Makato asked an old woman with a big water pot on her head. “I’m so thirsty.”
“Where did you come from? Why are you here alone?