Uncle Lek, a neighbor, took a new member, a young woman with an open face and big, dark eyes, to raise as an adopted child. Since then, he has experienced love and beautiful friendship between friends.

Warning

All rights reserved in this short story. You may not alter, reproduce, or distribute any or all of this short story. Including all pictures without the written consent of the author who owns the copyright. Violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

We may not have known each other for very long. But I think it's been long enough to feel good for each other. It is a bond that happens little by little. It is like putting coins into a savings bank. One dollar a day Even though the amount is not very much But do it consistently every day and never fail. Until one day the coins were full.

The same is true of my feelings towards sugar. But then one day, Sugar disappeared without a trace..

My hometown is in Surin. But like most Thai brothers and sisters who live in other provinces all over the country. who fled poverty and came to struggle Struggling to find work in Bangkok Live like you're bitten. When I was able to earn a living every day, it was difficult and I had to work hard. Why do I have to save money to send back to my family back home?

Who are waiting for hope for many more lives, so they persevere and persevere in the face of heavy obstacles. that emerges every day Until it's enough to open your eyes and mouth in the present.

This job is not what most people want. But it is work that I can honestly say that I have passion for. And with this love That has made it possible to stay here for the 9th year, even though it is very hard work. The income is low and requires a lot of physical labor. It's not time to sleep. To come to work at this place.

Having said that, it also comes from sugar. Because while I was wandering around looking for hired work Located in a rural community area On the east side of Bangkok, around Nong Chok District. It appeared that he met an uncle who was driving cows across the road. One of them was a heifer. walk away in groups This can be dangerous for both the cows themselves.

and cars passing by on the road So I went in to help herd the heifer back into the herd. That was the beginning of getting to know Uncle Mayid, the owner of the cow. and unexpectedly found himself working as a cowherd for him Since then

I remember the first time I was introduced to sugar 10 years ago, before I went to make it. Jobs in Bangkok Our houses are next to each other. Sugar is like Uncle Lek's adopted daughter. Because Uncle and Auntie are a married couple and have only one daughter. But I've been married to a Bangkok person for a long time. and never returned to visit his parents.

Therefore, when Namtan became a new member Uncle and aunt love and cherish her very much. Sugar was orphaned from a young age. I didn't know many details about her. We met one sunny morning. which I still remember and never forget

Big, black, round eyes. Looks innocent and cute and adorable. At first glance I couldn't help but think of love. Her skin truly lives up to its name. Beautiful, smooth brown color that looks healthy. We quickly became good friends. Even though there is a big age difference At that time, I still did not think about coming to work in Bangkok.

Each day was spent working in the garden, helping grandparents. Father died many years ago and mother was sick for three days and four days with a weak fever. So he did basketry work at home. Family income The kitchen doesn't have enough to feed the stomach. But we are happier than we are now. Because I had the opportunity to mingle with neighbors like Uncle Lek.

Therefore, he gained knowledge in taking care of his adopted children with him until 1 year later he used his experience while living in Surin. Came to raise cows for Uncle Mayid in Nong Chok, Bangkok, something I never dreamed of before.

Even the job of taking care of the cattle for the Muslim lord at Nong Chok was It will consume a lot of energy. But I did it happily. Because it made me forget about sugar somewhat. When we are separated by hundreds of kilometers. It is still considered that Uncle Mayid is kind to the workers as well. because he allowed me to return home once in 3 months

No more than one week at a time So we met face to face every quarter. It was indeed a special kindness of the boss towards his employees.

But this last time I came home and found emptiness..

Just step out of the large songtaew. and has set foot on the land where they have lived since they were young Then I had an unfortunate premonition. It is a feeling that is difficult to describe in pictures. His heart fluttered strangely. It's like someone came and took my heart out of my chest.

After a moment, there was a sudden increase in heartbeat. Why?..looking around I felt a sense of calm and quiet like never before. Why didn't I smell the familiar scent when I came home? A smell that I miss and never hate. I never thought it was smelly. But I feel happy and warm every time I feel it.

It is as if there is a connection through those sights, tastes, smells, sounds, and touches that will never be forgotten. that this garden house There is still a dear friend who eats grass. A big but kind person named Namtan is always waiting.

When I don't hear the familiar voice of Mor, which every time I listen to it, my mind is at peace. Makes my heart suddenly faint. I looked over at the wide field next to the house. There was no sign of the owner of the voice that he had hoped to find. Nor did it smell of cow dung. Nor could he hear the voice of the monk. Both looking for him and not being able to find him

What happened here? I don't like this atmosphere at all. Causing anxiety to arise within my heart. Bad thoughts began to gradually flow into my head. Even though deep down it seems like you can guess what But I don't want to accept it. No, it's not possible. Uncle Lek wouldn't do that, right? Uncle loves sugar like a daughter. Even though she's just a heifer

Today falls exactly on the weekend. I also have a souvenir from Bangkok for Namtan. Her number one favorite thing. Fresh sweet corn just arrived from Uncle Mayid's farm. When he found out that sugar likes to eat, he was happy. And let me know what the harvest has been.

Take some of it so that the sugar can be eaten as well. I brought it in a huge sack. I put it all in a sea bag because I was afraid there wouldn't be enough. It's something that likes sugar.

Finally decided to overcome fear. Then walked to the edge of the fence. Call Uncle Lek to find out the truth. Even when I went up to the house to pay respects to my grandmother and mother. The three of them will tell you some stories about sugar. But I still don't want to believe it. So I want to hear it from Uncle Lek's mouth again to be sure.

When Uncle shows up to come and see Do you see who is calling him? So he greeted him back in a friendly tone. Slowly walking down the stairs from the upper floor to the basement. To be able to stand and talk. for a moment when he came within arm's reach. Uncle was the first to speak up.

“When are you coming?”

“I just got here a little while ago, Uncle,” he replied, shaking his hands in salutation as was customary. When you have the opportunity, try asking about the things you are most curious about.

“Uncle, why do you feel so quiet today? I can't hear the sound of sugar at all.” Even though I really wanted to know the answer, I really wanted to know the answer. But deep down I was so afraid of what I would hear.

It was as if Uncle Lek knew what was in my heart. You didn't really want to make direct eye contact when you were about to speak. By avoiding turning to look towards the south of the house. Around the area that used to be a sleeping place for Sugar Man. which when looking into the eyes of Uncle Now only an empty field of land remains.

“Miss Sugar is considered an old cow. My body can't take it. He refused to have children so he sold them to the merchant. so that it will not be a burden He probably took it to the slaughterhouse. I feel sorry for him too, but what can I do? I consider that this sugar is the last time I can repay my owner's gratitude."

Uncle Lek hadn't even finished his sentence yet. I stood and clenched my fists until my nails dug into my skin. I felt my heart tremble. A hard lump rose up and stuck in my chest and throat, making it difficult to breathe. I just stood there stubbornly. My ears were so confused that I couldn't understand the last sentence. Even though I had prepared myself beforehand.

But when he heard those words Still can't stop the blood from surging and boiling. If we don't think about our long-standing neighborliness from the past. I would probably have beaten you to the ground.

“Really?”

can only speak turned around He slowly walked out. I don't have the heart to talk to Uncle Lek anymore. I didn't want him to see the tears streaming down my cheeks. Even though it's not the owner who raised the sugar. But it's very attached. For me

Sugar is not just a cow. He is my best friend, I can say, it shouldn't be..

It's been exactly 10 years since I've seen sugar since day one. I saw her get pregnant and give birth twice, but her babies were sold when they were less than a year old. Namtan must have been very sad each time. But I couldn't do anything. I had hoped that Uncle Lek would be considerate of love and kindness. I won't sell you, who is like my own daughter.

and take care of them until they die. But in the end it was only a dream.

From today, I probably won't smell the cow dung of sugar anymore. May you be reborn in a good world. Don't have to pay for your karma with cows for them to kill and eat again. Goodbye my dear friend

finish.

How are you? One more story has ended. The author's time for this story is very short. It was like all the letters flowed out on their own. not from the brain But it is a heart that is bleeding without stopping. I want it to come one day. The day this world will be free from the oppression that humans inflict on poor animals.

Thank you to all readers who came to read this story. And I would like to help you keep reading the other stories that the author has written. Including adding more in the future would be a great blessing.

P.S. This story is inspired by a true story. that I had read through my eyes from a few lines of text that talked about a cow named Sugar By the person using the name

Taweelarp Karaked  

The author then took this issue and created this short story. Therefore, any good that happens that readers should benefit from after reading I would like to give it to the person who is the owner of a few lines of this story as well on this occasion.