The Golden Harvest

(A Thai
Folktale)L o n g a g o i n O l d A y u d h y a , t h e r e l i v e d a m a n n a m e d N a i H a h To n g
w h o dreamed of turning copper into gold. His wife, Nang Song Sai, had little faith
inmagic. She believed in the wealth of nature and richness of the earth. When
herh u s b a n d b o a s t e d , S o m e d a y , w e w i l l b e t h e r i c h e s t p e o p l e i n Ay u d h y a , s h
e listened patiently; however, when all their tical had been used for experiments, shedecided
something would have to be done about her husbands great expectation.She said to her husband,
Nai Hah Tong, you have experimented with copperand a monkeys paw, copper and lizards
tail. You have polished copper with the gold stripe of fur cut from the tigers skin, but the copper
did not turn into gold. Whydont you give up this dream and go to work like other men?Her husband
said,
Mai chai
, t h a t i s n o t r i g h t . W i t h e a c h e x p e r i m e n t m y magic has grown stronger.
Mai pen rai
, never mind, my husband, you must do what you must do, sheanswered. The next day, however, she
went home to see her father and asked him whatto do about Nai Hah Tongs unreasonable search for
gold.Her wise old father did not seem disturbed. He said, Pai, go now, and say nothing of
this meeting. I have a plan to help your husband. The next day Nai Hah Tong received an
invitation to dine with his father-in-law. At
ginukow
, or meal time, Nai Hah Tong was there on the mat-covered fl oor beside the elderly
gentleman. The old man said, My son, since you desired power and a long life, you
sitfacing east. I see honor and dignity, so I shall sit facing west.
Chai
, yes, my father, I always follow the old relief. I never sit facing north when I eat, for I fear
the bad luck such an action would cause, but sometimes, I eatfacing south because I would like
to have esteem and respect. The old man smiled and nodded in agreement.A servant interrupted and
conversation by placing a large tray bearing bowlsof white rice, hot chicken curry, roasted
turtle eggs, vegetables and
namprick
, aspicy sauce made from beetles and fi sh paste. Another tray held bowls of freshwater
for washing, cloths for drying, and lime scent for perfuming the hands. Themen ate from
the same bowls, using only the fi ngers of their right hand. They
didn o t s p e a k v e r y m u c h w h i l e e a t i n g b e c a u s e t h e d e l i c i o u s f o o d d e m a n d e d t h e
ircomplete attention. The curry was spicy, yet sweet with the added milk of
t h e coconut. The rice was fluffy and fresh from the top of the pot. The
namprick
bit thetongue, but it was good and made the mild milk drink more tasty by contrast.W h e n t h e m e a l
w a s o v e r , N a i H a h To n g f e l t a s c o n t e n t a s a b a b y g i b b o n sitting upon his mothers lap.Ah,
we are lucky for fish in the water and rice on the land, he said.
Chai
, my son, but there is more to life than good food. I have asked you tocome to see me
this evening because I need your help. Like you, my son, I have been looking for a way of
turning copper into gold. Now, I know how to do it.Nai Hah Tong drew in his breath and made a long,
long whistling sound. Oh,its too good to be true! I cant believe it! he said.Listen carefully, Nai Hah
Tong. I have all things I need for the miracle exceptone additional ingredient. Because I am an
old man, I dont think I can work hard enough and long enough to get it.