Good morning, Nong. How are you this morning

1
Good afternoon, Toy! Fine, thanks. And you?
Well, I just stayed at home, eating and watching
TV.
Good morning, Nong. How are you this morning?
Very well. Thank you. How did you celebrate the
New Year!
That sounds like a great fun!
2
Are you interested in Thai literature?
Yes, I am. I enjoy reading Thai stories a lot.
3
What stories do you know?
I know many Isan folktales, such as Phadaeng Nang
Ai and Kalaket.
4
My favorite story is Phra Aphai Mani. Its a
great Thai literary work.
I dont know any folktales, but Ive learned some
stories from story books.
Whats your favorite story?
5
Firstly, it is written in Klon Paed, a typical
form of Thai poetry.
Can you tell me why the story is popular? Why do
people enjoy reading it?
Well, there are several reasons.
6
Finally, a lot of sharp wits are used to present
didactic instruction.
Secondly, it is full of ethical principles and
invaluable thoughts for readers.
Thirdly, it has elements of fantasy that people
enjoy.
7
Could you tell me the story? I just cant wait to
listen now.
Heres how the story begins.
8
My sons, make sure you learn something beneficial.
King Suthat and his queen, Nang Prathum Kesorn
ruled a city called Krung Rattana. They had two
young and very handsome sons, Phra Aphai Mani and
Sri Suvarn.
We promise to do so, Father.
9
How disappointing you both are! You are no
longer my sons!
The two princes were sent to acquire knowledge
and skills from some great masters. Phra Aphai
Mani decided to learn the art of playing the
pipe, while Sri Suvarn chose to specialize in
self-defense.
Get out of my city at once and never let me see
your faces again!
10
That sounds so sad! Im just about to cry!
King Suthat was discontented with what his sons
had learned. The king furiously drove them out
of the palace. So the two brothers decided to set
out into the wilderness.
So am I!
11
The two princes passed through fields,
meadows, mountains and valleys, walking all day
long and taking their rest at night. Finally,
they reached the sea coast after over a month of
their long exhausting journey. Sitting
down and resting in the shade of a tree by the
shore, they met three young Brahmins, Mora,
Sanon, and Wichian.
They became friends. The Brahmins asked why Phra
Aphai Mani had learned to be a piper, failing to
understand how this could be of any use. Phra
Aphai Mani explained to them, saying Music has
many uses, and is like a gem that is worth a
city's ransom.
12
If I keep playing my pipe, men and beasts, and
even angels, who hear the melodious notes will
forget their anger and become soothed and
eventually lulled to sleep.
13
To prove his words, he started to blow into the
pipe. The three Brahmins soon fell fast asleep.
It was not long before Sri Suvarn fell under the
same spell. So Phra Aphai Mani sat alone,
producing fascinating music as melodious strains
flowed from his magic pipe.
Now you know how powerful my music is, my dear
friends!
14
In an under-water cave nearby, there lived a
mighty giantess of the sea, whose name was Phisua
Samutr, or literally Ocean Butterfly. At that
moment, she had come up to catch some fish for
her supper.
Is that the end of the story? Whats next?
A long way to go!
15
When she heard the music, she was unable to
resist the spell. She tried to find out where the
music came from. Seeing the handsome prince on
the shore, she fell in love with him at first
sight. With her mighty force, she picked him up
in her hand. Then she plunged into the water and
headed for her home.
Oh, my dear! What a lovely human being you are!
I am hungry, but how can I eat my husband to be?
16
Is the prince really going to take the giantess
as his wife?
Well, youll have to wait and see! Anything can
happen!
17
Before we continue, lets guess who says the
following statements.
Yes, lets! Im ready.
18
A. King Suthat B.
Phra Aphai Mani C. Sri Suvarn D. Nang
Prathum Kesorn E. A resident of Rattana
Choose one of the following.
19
A. King Suthat B.
Phra Aphai Mani C. Sri Suvarn D.
Prathum Kesorn E. A resident of Rattana
1. The princes are adorable. I am so sorry to
hear that they are gone. I dont understand why
His Majesty is so angry. I think any kind of
knowledge can be very useful.

• 
  
  

20
A. King Suthat B.
Phra Aphai Mani C. Sri Suvarn D.
Prathum Kesorn E. A resident of Rattana
2. My dear brother, dont you feel so sad. We
will depart from our home and live our own lives.
With this magical pipe, Im sure I can prevent
anything that may harm you.

• 
  
  

21
A. King Suthat B.
Phra Aphai Mani C. Sri Suvarn D.
Prathum Kesorn E. A resident of Rattana
3.You disappointed me! From now on, you are no
longer my sons. Get out of my sight and leave
the city no later than tomorrow morning, or Ill
order the soldiers to torture you.

• 
  
  

22
A. King Suthat B.
Phra Aphai Mani C. Sri Suvarn D.
Prathum Kesorn E. A resident of Rattana
4. Although I have no knowledge of black magic,
Im sure I can take care of myself and my elder
brother with my great skill of sword-fighting.

• 
  
  

23
A. King Suthat B.
Phra Aphai Mani C. Sri Suvarn D.
Prathum Kesorn E. A resident of Rattana
5. Please calm down, my dear! Our sons are still
young. How they live without us. Besides, I
cant imagine how I can live without them. I
love them so much.

• 
  
  

24
Aphai Mani tried to escape for many times. Driven
beyond her patience, Phisua Samutr became angry
and threatened to kill him, so he agreed to be
her husband, under the condition that she would
swear never to eat him. The giantess solemnly
swore. So the defenseless prince took her as his
wife.
Phra Aphai Mani fainted. When he recovered, he
found himself lying in a large cave. There was a
beautiful young woman sitting beside him. He knew
it was the giantess reduced in size and disguised
as a woman. Phisua Samutr tried all her charms on
the prince, but failed. defenseless prince took
her as his wife.
I wish I were the giantess!
25
A year later, the ocean giantess gave birth to a
son who looked like a normal human child. They
named him Sin Samutr, meaning Treasure of the
Ocean. When the child grew up, he was handsome
like his father, and strong like his mother.
Im sure he looks just like me.
Can you imagine how Sin Samutr looks? Would you
like to draw a picture of the boy?