By Wanpen  Luangkan

          Once upon a time, there was an old woman living in Ban Tadthong, Yasothorn.  Her name was Boon.  She had a son who was called “Thong.”  They were poor farmers, but Thong was a hardworking man.  He went to work in the fields early every day, so his mother cooked for him at home and brought food to him in the fields. 

          One day Thong worked hard in the fields as usual until it was very late.  He was very hungry, but his mother didn’t come to the fields.

          “I’m very hungry.  Why doesn’t Mother come?” said Thong.  He stopped working and waited for his mother angrily.

          Suddenly, he saw his mother walking to him slowly.  He was very upset.  When his mother arrived at the place where he was standing, Thong scolded her for coming so late.

          “Why do you come late? I’m very hungry,” said Thong.

          “I’m sorry and here is your food, Thong,” said Boon.  Thong saw a box of food.  He felt very angry because he thought that the box was too small, and there was not enough food for him.

          “It’s not enough for me,” said Thong.

          “I think it’s enough for you, and it’s very delicious.  

                     "Try it,” said his mother.

          Thong was very hungry, so he was not pleased with his mother’s word.  He hit her with a yoke severely.  After that he started eating hungrily.  Thong ate until he was full, but there was still some food left.  Then he looked at his mother.  She was lying unconscious on the ground.  He felt very sorry.

          “I’m sorry.  I’m very sorry, Mother,” said Thong. 

          He cried and cried.  But his mother was dead.  Thong realized that he had killed his mother, so he went to meet the village headman.  Thong was jailed for many years.  When he was let from prison, he built a pagoda to apologize for his mother’s death.  His pagoda is called “Prathat Kong Kao Noi.”  It is located in Yasothorn province.  

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