Roofless hut

Roofless hut The moonlight shines brightly. It was in the night sky near the 15th day of the waning moon. The moonlight shone on the ground in the large square in front of the house. It's big enough for 5-6 small children to play and chase each other. The light of the lantern from Auntie's house was warm. It is inside the house on a raised platform. Next was Grandpa's small house. It was actually what was left of the family's old house that had been demolished to make way for a new house. The remaining parts of the old house where Grandpa lived are: Grandfather's bedroom and family barn Farming in our countryside is done only for household consumption. They don't make it for sale like other areas because of the rice fields here. It is not large enough to grow rice to sell as a household income. But it's enough to feed the family all year long. Our family's old house was raised on a raised platform like any other rural house. Under the house was a cowshed and a place to rest during the day or even do various activities such as threshing rice, making snacks, etc. There were water blisters on the side of the steps to wash your feet before going up. The house is in typical Thai style. Inside is a different level wooden floor. The inside corridor leads to the kitchen. On the left hand side is Grandfather and Grandma's bed. On the right hand side is Mom and Dad's bedroom. Several days ago, my father made a strong request to his friends. of his father to help demolish part of the old house in order to build a new house on the land next to the old house next door. Only Grandpa's bed and rice barn will be left. As mentioned at the beginning The empty space that became the large courtyard of the new house was The area of the old house that was removed. The demolition went as quickly as many others did. They say destruction takes as little time as creation. Moreover, with the amount of labor and expertise of my father's friends, demolition work became childish. Go as soon as the demolition is finished. It will be pieces of a large house together. The wood and roof tiles of the house were burned because they were made from bamboo and coconut leaves. Father therefore planned that some of the remaining wood that was still strong would be kept to build a new house. The remaining little bit will be made into a small hut. One on the side of this large plaza. The rest of the tiles, Father said, will be kept as roofing for the hut only. Because it wouldn't be strong enough to use as a roof tile for a new house because it was an old tile that had been used for a long time, Dad decided not to use it in our new house. Tonight, my father and I went out to sit and look at the pile of wood that had been dismantled from the old house in the moonlight. that shines upon the pile of old wood above A new morning came to my village again like every other day. Mother said that today the rice would be threshed in order to take the rice grains and mill them into rice in the afternoon. Because the rice is almost gone. Father took the cows out to the field early in the morning. Normally, I have to go out to the rice fields with my father every morning, but today I woke up a bit late, probably because when I sat and watched my aunt and mother make desserts for the local traditional merit-making ceremony at the temple, I enjoyed sitting next to the charcoal stove at steamed dessert I like to regularly walk to the rice fields with my father. Because I like to walk behind cows and hold onto ropes to let them lead us. Instead of people having to walk in front of cows, cows walk in front of people, which is fun. “When are we going to start building a hut, Dad?” I shouted to him, still holding the cow rope tightly in my hand. “I'll do it tomorrow. The father answered but did not turn his head to look at his little son who was following the herd of cows behind him, striding towards the field not far ahead. The hot sun contrasts with the shade of the forest edge trees at the edge of the field. Palmyra palm trees stand tall and stand out like monuments. Father shook his eyes and looked for a way to firmly plant the rope that tied the cow. There was enough grass for the cows to eat until the evening. Once he had found the right path, he left the cows alone with an iron peg tied to the cow ropes and firmly planted them in the ground. The work was finished. Mother was busy threshing the rice husks to loosen them from the ears. I walked back home before my father because he had to look at another rice field in order to prepare the rice field for farming in the upcoming rainy season. The rice straws were piled together on the side of the cowhide sheet my mother used to spread. Pick up the rice that has fallen from the ears with the force of the mother's feet. It's really overwhelming. Uncle walked from an unknown direction and saw Fang Kong and spoke up. “Tonight, let's make Fang roast chicken and eat it. “Auntie said, seeing that there were only so many ingredients left for baking just one chicken. Did you know that this Fang-roasted Chicken I've heard of but I've never actually seen him make it? It was an extremely wonderful feeling. People in the countryside like us You will be able to eat Fang baked chicken that people in the city eat. I hurriedly piled the fang together for Uncle Chai to use in baking the fang tonight. I really want this night to arrive quickly. In my heart, I want to run out and tell my father in the field that tonight we will be able to eat roasted chicken fang. “Son, quickly go get some sacks to put the rice in and put it in a cart and go to the mill. “Mother's voice said loudly from behind. I hurriedly left Kong Fang and ran to get a sack for my mother to put in the rice to be milled this afternoon. What can I do? I'm the only child of my parents, and I have to lighten the load as much as I can afford it at my age. Mother walks over and brings a cart that Dad made easily. For household use, put them in 2 sacks of rice paddy and push them to shelter from the sun under a tamarind tree, waiting for after noon to take them to the rice mill for milling. I saw my father walking quickly to come eat lunch. I saw this and rushed to grab my father's waist and said, “Dad, tonight Auntie will make roasted chicken fang. “Because I couldn't hold back and wanted to express my happiness to my father. Dad rubbed his head and smiled as he walked into the house, where Mom had already prepared rice and fish. How wonderful is the sour fish curry with chili paste and fried small fish. My father and mother sat in a circle, facing each other, eating a delicious lunch. “Wait, can you push the rice paddy to the mill alone? Father will prepare wood for our hut tomorrow,” Father said, shoveling rice into his mouth. I nodded in agreement. What would be difficult with just 2 sacks of rice? Mother told me to eat a lot of small fried fish. Mom said I'd grow up quickly. The midday sun still shines brightly, radiating intense heat throughout the area. Lunch ends before the sun sets. passing overhead in a westward direction Mother arranged to collect the dishes with rice and fish. As for Dad and I, we sat hiding from the sun at Grandfather's hut under the tamarind tree. Father took out a leaf and tobacco and rolled it over to smoke comfortably with me lying beside him. “Father, what kind of hut should we make? “I asked Dad, rolling onto his side. The smell of smoke from Father's tobacco was pungent. But Dad still blew out smoke with ease. “Just do it easily. Just enough protection from the sun and rain to lie down and do this or that,” said Father, leaning back against the hut pole. Dad often rested after lunch like this. before heading out to the fields in the afternoon. But today, Father will probably go out to the fields in the late afternoon because he has to prepare the wood to make the hut tomorrow first. But the main heart of today is Roasted Fang Chicken I realized this in my heart, so I hurriedly stood up and stood up and walked towards the cart. Then I turned to tell my father. “I'll take the rice to the mill first, Dad. “Having said that, I hurriedly got out of the cart with all my might and the cart moved slowly. I continued to push the cart slowly. Along the way I crossed paths with relatives and elders. They greeted me and teased me like neighbors who know each other very well. Soon I arrived at the rice mill which was located in the coconut plantation of the mill owner. It is said that a person who could own a mill had to have money and gold. Because the mill had many machines, each costing several baht. Will I have to pay for gas again? I really don't have any money. Definitely can't do it. In my village there are three mills, owned by people with money in the village. I hurriedly lifted the sack of rice off the cart and set it in front of the mill door. Wait for the mill owner to come and then ask him when he wants you to come get it. The owner of the mill always comes to open the rice mill after noon. I kept seeing him to ask when he would come to get the rice that had already been milled into rice. Playing in the area near the mill Because my mother had already given me money for rice milling. Tied with a rubber band in the crotch of the pants. The owner of the rice mill named Uncle Phleng walked towards the rice fields, holding gallons of gasoline in his hand, which he had to drive to the city to buy several liters at a time. His face looked solemn and serious. “Have you been waiting for a long time? “Uncle Plang asked me, who was peering into the rice mill inside the mill. Wondering how it turns rice into milled rice? “Just arrived too, uncle. “I responded by pointing my finger at the two rice sacks in front of the mill to convey the meaning: That sack of rice is a thing. I don't mix it up with other people's. With that, Uncle Phleng walked to open the mill door to start the rice milling machine. I really like watching when you turn on the engine. It's thrilling to say the least. The roar of machinery filled my ears. Once the machine has been running for a while, the plot will begin to mill the rice in sacks, one sack at a time. As for me, I would play behind the mill where the rice husks were spewing. In a few days, Mom will definitely have me bring rice husks to burn charcoal. By this time, Uncle Chai must have already prepared the chicken for making Fang Roasted Chicken. I don't know if Uncle Chai will be able to find a pipe that can be used to cover the chicken's body. Thinking about it, my stomach started to feel hungry. By three o'clock in the afternoon the rice that had been milled had turned into opaque white rice. Two sacks of rice are milled into milled rice. The only sack of rice left is rice husks. I hurriedly pushed the cart in front of the entrance to the mill to have Uncle Phleng lift the sacks of rice into the cart for me. After paying the bill, I didn't hesitate and hurriedly pushed the car back home. In the late afternoon like this, every household was starting to cook dinner. Sometimes the butler would bring back fish from the rice fields. Sometimes housewives get local vegetables from the garden or next door to use in cooking. People in the village saw me and greeted and teased me just like when I arrived. Come on, I don't have time for anyone to tease me. Because the mission ahead is still waiting. I had to help my uncle make baked chicken with fangs. Help add the fangs to the fire so that the chicken was cooked and fragrant. Pushing the cart to the village shop, I found my mother talking to the shop owner. “Mom, what did you come to buy? “I asked. Mother turned around and smiled as she walked closer and said that she had come to buy salt to use as seasoning for Auntie's chicken that she was going to bake. That's enough for me to know. That the uncle must have already cut the throat of that damned chicken. Mom and I walked together in the stroller, but I exerted less effort than Mom. The stroller slowly moved forward. I told my mother that there was enough rice husk at the mill to burn charcoal. When I had free time, I would come and give it to her. Because someone else will come and cut off your face first. The afternoon sun had gone down a lot and all the households were starting to light fires to cook food. The smell of smoke from the wood stove wafts to the tip of your nose, making you think of tonight's waning moon dinner. Moonlight hit the ground just like the night before. But I don't know why its beams are more beautiful. My household's modestly large yard is about to become a kitchen for making roasted chicken fang. Everything was prepared early in the evening. The chicken had been marinated in a seasoning mix of salt, turmeric, and pounded garlic since the late afternoon. The uncle bought alcohol and prepared it to drink with his father and another friend of his father's. Uncle placed the wooden shaft that would be used to impale the chicken on the ground. Then he called his mother to bring out the chicken that was soaked in seasonings in the basin. Mother came out with a basin and handed it to the man. Soon the chicken was impaled on a stick so that it was slightly above ground level. Then cover the chicken with a pipe and cover the pipe with a lot of fang. The fire keeps refilling the fang, that's all. The uncle told me and asked me to keep adding the fang, making sure there was no shortage of chicken meat so that it would be cooked properly. After saying that, the uncle withdrew from the scene with me and lit a fire. The fire burned quickly and I had to refill the fang as Uncle Chai instructed me to do. As for the man, he went to sit with his father and uncle next door. What else would there be besides drinking alcohol and moonlight? “Be careful! Don't go too far into the fire. “Father shouted a warning to me from Grandfather's hut. I turned to answer and continued to stand guard over the fire at Fang. The sound of father talking with uncle about building a hut next to the courtyard tomorrow. Uncle volunteered to help too, but Father told him not to. Because it's just a small hut for relaxing, sitting, and doing things alone. Mother laid out a mat and prepared cups and plates on the terrace of the house. “It's better to move and sit here so you don't have to move around so many times. “My mother told my father and uncle, and my father did so. At this time, a special meal circle had begun to take shape. The rice fang was continuously added to the fire by my hands. I really want to know what it will look like when the inside of the chicken is cooked and opened. And will the taste be the same as the chicken that mother used to boil for me? In fact, the main food Our village's favorite food is fish and vegetables because they are plentiful. You don't have to buy them in the city. It's been a while since we've eaten chicken. Don't be afraid of missing chili paste at every meal. The whole chicken's body was burnt and black. The fang leaves were almost gone. Just in time, the uncle made a noise saying that he could stop adding the fang and the chicken must have been cooked. I've been waiting for this answer for a long time. Auntie walked down from the porch towards me. Then take a stick and spread the rice fang that is still on fire in order to remove the tin. I sat and watched from a distance. The uncle put a piece of cloth under his palm to lift the pipe up. My eyes were now fixed on the pipe and the chicken inside. Uncle Chai slowly lifted the pipe and the chicken appeared little by little until finally it stood out in the wide courtyard, glowing yellow and fragrant. Very good Perfectly teasing with the moonlight The man carried the whole chicken with the skewer still stuck in it. I walked closely behind him. Smell it as well. It smells really good of turmeric and garlic. Mom had a big tray ready for me, along with a cutting board and a dark place. The skewer was completely removed from the chicken. The uncle passed it to his mother to chop into pieces. Some were distributed to aunts and uncles and they ate and drank a fair amount of alcohol. I sat down next to my parents and quickly put some rice on a plate and handed it to me to receive as well as reaching out to pick up a chicken leg, wanting to know what it would taste like. As soon as the first piece of roasted chicken in my life entered my mouth, It's like eating delicious food like the people in the city eat. It's really delicious. Dad picked up some chicken and put it on another plate. Along with advising that after eating, don't forget to take a shower so that tomorrow we can do the same thing together. Uncle told Dad that he had such a talented son that he didn't let us help him. Mom and Dad laughed as they picked up the chicken and chewed it. From the looks of it, Dad, the male aunt and uncle next door must have been drinking quite a bit. So my mother and I went up to the house to take a shower and go to bed. Tonight, you'll likely sleep well and have good dreams. It's because of the real Fang roasted chicken. That makes me happy and fulfilled like a dream come true. The sound of chickens crowing at dawn and the smell of smoke from the rice cooker drifting from the kitchen to give alms to monks in the morning. Every household in the village is like this, following the typical Thai way of life. Before I got up from my bed, I had to wait for the sunshine of a new day to shine on the world first. The cool breeze in the morning, hot rice, sun-dried fish from the village canal went well with the sound of crows singing. its morning song Dad and I sat eating together on the terrace. house in order to increase strength in making our hut today .”Are we going to build a big house, Dad?” I asked Dad because I wanted to know. “Just enough to sit in and let your mother make a few more snacks,” Father replied, turning to look at the servants who were going to make a hut next to him. It was a pile of wood from part of an old house. Soon Dad and I were ready to get started. There weren't many tools: a hammer, a saw, a tape measure, a plumb bob. These were enough to build a small hut. Father slowly dragged the wooden poles of the hut and placed them in their positions, one by one, until there were four poles. Then the father lifted the pole and stood it up vertically, using three sides to attach it to the pole as support on both sides. Then let me help you with the plumb line to see if it's level or not. Dad will be able to nail the pole again. Everything moves slowly. As time passed as well, the hot sun didn't seem to create the slightest bit of fatigue between the two of us, father and son. On the contrary, it gives us the strength to make our dreams come true. Soon, before the sun had even set, our little hut was almost complete, with only the roof remaining. We had to wait for my aunt to finish sewing the coconut paths that would be used as the roof. Which would probably be another two weeks. ” Dad, tonight, let's go out to sleep in the hut. “I spoke to my father out of pride in this hut. As I sat looking at it with my father beside me, tonight the sky looked like a black silk cloth with sparkling diamonds all over it. So beautiful Smoke from the firewood next to the cowshed floated and challenged the sky above. The little lantern light from inside the house flickered out. After dinner, I invited Dad to come lie down at the cottage we had built during the day. Father lifted me up first because the wooden floorboards were too high for a small child to climb on. Moreover, our hut had no stairs. Father and I lay side by side, looking at the sky filled with hundreds of billions of stars twinkling above. “Is there anyone up there, Dad?” I asked, curious as a child. “Probably, but I don't know where,” my father answered me based on the knowledge of someone with a Mathayom 3 degree, which was considered quite high. “We sleep in the hut tonight, Dad. “I continued with the feeling of really wanting to lie down and look at the stars in the sky. “No, the hut hasn't been roofed yet. It'll be uncomfortable if the dew drops. “Father protested before turning his head to look at me. “Then let's finish roofing and sleep in the hut, Father. “I reiterated my original intention again. “Yes…” was all my father replied. While humming the sound of an old country melody It's stuck in my throat, I don't know whose song it is. The tranquility of the countryside at night has a deep charm. The smell of smoke from fires that are used to repel mosquitoes to cows or even the smell of cow dung It's like colors. which was painted on a white canvas until it came out to be the shape of the countryside. When this hut is finished, mother will probably be able to use it as a place to make desserts to sell, from what she originally made on the terrace of the house. Mae Sip inherited the knowledge of making desserts from my old mother. She liked to sell things like when she was a child during Buddhist Lent. Mother would often go find wild fruits to sell at the temple on the night of the candlelight procession. Just in time, my mother's voice came from the porch telling me to go to bed. But I replied that I would go to bed with him. Mother then disappeared back into the house. The air started to cool down and the wind blew softly, just enough to tingle my skin. I lay there looking at the stars in the sky without feeling bored or sleepy at all. Inside, he thought about whether there would be people upstairs or not. How many rabbits are there in the moon? And how far is it? Imagination goes into the addiction of children. which has not been studied in any way But I saw that my mother said that next year I will be old enough to go to school and study in this village school. I lay there beside my father until I don't know when I fell asleep. When I came to my senses again, I was lying on top of the house, and then the darkness had enveloped me until I could almost not see anything. Sometimes it's just the sound of my father's breathing lying next to me. I'm glad that Dad didn't drink alcohol tonight, so the breath smell wasn't as bad. I fell asleep again with countless images of stars in my dreams tonight. It had been many days since my father and I had not built a hut. The one that Auntie had finished sewing for the roofing had been completed a long time ago. The reason was because recently my father had complained of back pain at night and had a fever again. I also feel anorexia. I don't know what's wrong with him, but I know he looks weaker than before. From someone who used to be so diligent about doing anything without ever getting tired. But today, Dad is not like before, spending most of his time sleeping at home. Living in a rural area like ours Just relying on painkillers. with traditional medicine or relying on black magic, sometimes in the Thai way But Dad didn't get any better. I overheard my mother discussing with my aunt that she would take my father to see a doctor in the province in case his condition would improve and he would be cured from his symptoms. I hope to be like my mother hoped. Dad will have his strength and vitality again and will be the one who walks in front of me when I go anywhere. We will come together to finish our hut so we can lie down and feel the scent of the night. “Tomorrow, Mom takes Dad to the doctor. Please let me come with you. “I asked my mother out of concern for my father no less than my mother. But my mother told me to stay at home and go with my aunt and uncle. Besides, Mom probably saw that I was still very young and couldn't help her. The next morning, my uncle and mother helped me carry my father to the car of a relative who lived in the same village. Dad didn't look very refreshed before he left the house. I stared into his eyes without looking away. Eyes full of worry But I believe that my father's heart is always strong. That uncle's red pickup truck disappeared, leaving nothing but silence in its place. I turned my head to look at the hut that was just waiting for the roof to be finished. But today, I don't know what day it will be finished. Tomorrow, this month, this year, or never. I couldn't guess because of the strength of a little child alone. One person would definitely not be able to finish it. It was very cold and my mother and aunt and uncle had not yet come. I walked around the house to play, not wanting to go anywhere, afraid that when my mother came back she wouldn't find me. Soon I saw my mother walking with my aunt, and from the look on her face she didn't look very good. The uncle didn't return to his mother's house. He might have stopped by a nearby friend's house. It might be close. “Is something wrong with you, Mom? Why did Dad come back? “I asked my mother out of jealousy over my father. Mother didn't answer, but tears flowed down her face instead, and so did Auntie. In my feelings at that time, I didn't know what had happened to my father or what was wrong with my father. I only know that my father must return. Came back to finish building our hut. We slept side by side in this hut even though it didn't have a roof yet. Dad had to come back and look at the stars in the sky with me. I don't know what really happened to my father. As the days passed, Father had to stay in the hospital for treatment. That's when I learned that my father was sick with prostate cancer.