"To the North and West is the Burmese border." "Eastern Thailand borders on Laos and Cambodia." "To the South is the Malaysian border." "The borders between Thailand and her neighbours are various natural boundaries such as mountain ranges, seas and oceans." "In the old days it wasn't easy to travel to these countries because you had to go on foot or by boat." "Today, travel is more convenient." "Most people prefer to travel by car or train." "Those who can afford it go by plane and it only takes a few hours." "Planes can take us to Europe and America which are in the other hemisphere." "Those beautiful flowers come from cold countries that it takes days to get to by plane." "It would take two months to go there by sea." "I've been to Malaysia." "If all of you behave yourselves and excel in your studies, when you grow up you might get a scholarship and go overseas to study." "For those who haven't paid for the exam papers, tomorrow is the last day." "BUTTERFLY AND FLOWERS" "Have you just finished school?" "Dad, the exam paper fees... tomorrow is the last day." "We still have rice, don't we?" "Don't play with him again." "He's always bullying you." "Where's your dad?" "Look!" "Your brother hit him again." "Tell your dad to sort it out." "If he doesn't, don't borrow rice from me again." "Remember, don't play with him again." "Come on, move." "Oh, no!" "Not fish again." " We have fish every day." " Where have you been?" "Why can't you cook something else?" "Have you been misbehaving again?" " No way!" "He teased me first." " What did he say?" "He said my worn-out sarong showed my ass, so the other kids teased me, too." "That's why I challenged him and knocked him down." " His mum won't help us again." " Don't worry." "Just you wait and see, when I grow up" "I'll make more money than Dad." " Don't say that about Dad." " It's true!" "You devil!" "Dad, the teacher said to get them both enrolled now." "How much are the fees?" "Probably the same as mine were." "About two hundred baht and then more for books, uniforms and so on." "Otherwise they can't go to school." "Dunya isn't the studious type." "It would be a waste of money." "He misbehaves at home and it could get worse." "Anyway, let's talk about it later." "We may have to borrow money from someone." "These days, people go by car more than by train." "There isn't much business." " Who will you borrow it from?" " Never mind, leave it to me." "You're still young." "Just study hard." "Okay, two at once." "I'll knock you both down." "Dad, get two flasks of ice cream for me tomorrow." "Hooyun!" "Watering the almond tree again?" " It hasn't rained for days." " But the other trees survive." "Well, since I planted it I always have to water it." "At first, I was worried that it wouldn't survive." "The teacher said I gave it too much water." " Why don't you grow flowers?" " They're pretty, aren't they?" "I want to grow lots of them and look at the butterflies." "Butterflies are lucky, when they're born they should see beauty." "I'll do it." "Slowly." " They're big." " I use fertilizer." " What fertilizer?" " Cow manure." " That must stink." " Yes." "Hey you!" " I'll tell on you." " Go on then!" "No flower picking in school." " They're for the teacher." " They're hers." "The land belongs to the school." "It's not yours!" " Mimpe forgot." " I understand." "But if there wasn't a rule there'd be none left." "There are still a lot left." "I only picked three." "They're very beautiful." "Well..." "We'll do it this way." "Put the flowers in the vase in the reading room because they're for everyone." "In that case I shouldn't play under my almond tree." "You're being wise beyond your years again." "Ma'am..." "I'm quitting school tomorrow." "Are you crazy?" "Is your dad moving?" "I don't know." "But I have to sell ice cream." "Whose idea is that?" " Did he tell you to quit?" " No." "I want to work so my sister and brother can study too." "That sounds like a good idea." "But you should sit for the exam first to get the certificate so you can continue your studies in the future." "I won't study in the future." "Maybe not." "The certificate is important because when you're grown up and want to work you may need it as evidence." "I don't need it to sell ice cream." "Dad already ordered some for tomorrow." "I'll sell some at school too." "If so, come for the test as well as selling ice cream." "But the principal wouldn't allow it." "That's okay." "Don't worry about it." " I'll talk to him." " If he refuses..." "I'll buy all your ice cream." "Is that okay?" " What for?" " I'll sell it myself." "How do I make money then?" "It'll be alright." "But you must do the test too." " Will you promise me?" " Yes." "Here's the exam paper fee." "Is it okay with you if..." "I pay for you this one time?" "Keep it as capital." "You'll be good at selling ice cream." " Hurry up, Dad." " You're keen, aren't you?" " That's okay, Dad." " Let me help you." " You know how to give change?" " Don't worry, Dad." " Would you like some food?" " Later, I'm seeing my son off first." "Don't make the teacher buy all of them." "It's okay." "She's kind." "That's why you shouldn't bother her." "Remember, you have to smile at customers." "How do you know?" "If you're friendly, they'll buy from you." "Why don't you smile, too?" "It isn't the same." "I'm too old for that." "Laborers are paid to work, not to smile." "Don't worry, I'll smile later." "Go go." "I'd like an ice cream, Hooyun." " Damn!" "You're busy." " How can we play, then?" "Unless I sell all of it." " Let's get our friends to buy it." " Good idea." "No, other customers will miss out." "Don't be silly." "It's so we can play." "Come on, everybody, let's buy ice cream." "Hurry up!" "I like the red ones." "Two red ones, please." "Here comes the principal." "He didn't say a word." " Hooyun, let's go play ball." " Come on." "Is there a sky-blue one?" " No, there's only this one left." " Oh, well..." " Can I leave the flasks here?" " Of course." " How did the ice cream sell?" " Good." "See, I told you it would be alright." "Miss... is it okay if I give you a free ice cream?" "Yes, it's okay, Hooyun." "But I'd like you to remember sometimes we can do things without asking for anything in return." "If you always remember that," "I'll be happier than if you give me a free ice cream." "Yes, I'll remember." "Here's the ice cream." " How did it go today?" " Only two left." "Why?" " He didn't sell all of them." " Will you tomorrow?" "I don't know, it isn't tomorrow yet!" " Where's the 50 satang coin?" " Did you lose it?" " Oh yeah, I know." " Know what?" " The teacher's saying." " Delicious ice cream." "Bye." "Why are you in a different spot today?" " Have you eaten?" " No." "I'm not hungry." "Neither am I." "I don't have any money." "I'll lend you some money for food." "You can repay me tomorrow." "But tomorrow is a holiday." " That's right." " What a pity." " Maybe I won't be back next year." " Why?" "You're a good student." "Mum wants me to help her." " I'll be on business soon." " That's good." "I'll travel by train to the border regularly." " Is Malaysia far away?" " Very far!" "It's a long way there." "I'll lend you some money." "You can pay me back anytime." "No, thanks." "I'll eat at home." " Any sky-blue ones today?" " Yes, I kept one for you." "Tomorrow don't come, just come when the exam results are announced." "Thank you." "Don't forget to study at home." "Thanks." "See you." " Goodbye." " Bye." "Thank you very much." "Don't you want to go into business too?" " I don't know what to do." " I'll ask Mum, okay?" " Hurry up." " Bye." " See you on the tenth." " Maybe." " Where shall I meet you?" " At the station, of course." "So beautiful." "Keep growing." "I'll come see you." "Ice cream, nice and cold." "Delicious ice cream." "Ice cream, ice cream." "Anybody for ice cream?" "We don't have small change." "Why don't you buy three?" " Look!" "I want that one." " No, not now." "I'll pay with my share." " How much is your share?" " I know." " How much?" " Two baht." "Just what I need." "I'll shoot a bird." "What fun!" "Dad!" " How did you get here?" " With Hooyun." "We took three flasks today." "That's good." "You sold all of them." "Don't get lost." "There's elder brother." "All sold." "How many have you got left?" " Two left." "You can have them." " No, we'll sell them." "Ice cream, anyone?" "Going cheap." "Ice cream." "Nice, cold ice-cream." "Two baht fifty for Adeya." " Only a quarter for Dunya." " That's not fair." "I've told you not to waste money." "You can't complain now." "Next time I'll sell one whole flask by myself." "Come on." "Let's go home." "I'll buy a new school uniform." " Where does the train go?" " Malaysia." "Why do you always have two sky-blue ones left?" "Don't you know I don't like them?" "Here comes the ice cream..." "Ice cream, delicious ice cream." "No!" "It's dirty." "We're going home!" "Here comes the ice cream." "Anybody for ice cream?" "Ice cream." "Delicious ice cream..." "I'll have one." "If we had a tricycle we could sell it in more places." "We could hire-purchase one." "We'd better not!" "It's risky." "If we couldn't keep up the payments it could be repossessed." "We'd also lose everything we'd paid till then." "If we pray, will God help us?" "Hooyun!" "Over here." "Come on up here." "You know I've been looking for you for ages." "Me, too." "Every day." "Oh, no!" "I don't come here every day." "I have to attend to business." "I've asked Mum about work." "She said you certainly could get work there." " Did you go to school?" " Yes, to see the exam results." "I bet you came in first again." " You came in fifth with 70%." " Really?" "No one in our class failed." "I also went to your garden." "Your flowers are blooming." "But the soil was dry, so I watered it for you." "How about your almond tree?" "It's taller than me but it's lost many leaves." "It may be sad at not seeing you again." "I don't know." "What should I do?" " Can't it stop?" " No." "It only stops at stations." "You live close to a station, you should know." "When will it get to one?" "Why don't you come with me?" "My dad will be looking for me." "I'll get off at the next station." " It's a long way home." " But we haven't gone so far." " I have to do the cooking." " Can't your brother cook?" "You can sleep at my mum's place tonight." "Then tomorrow we'll go back together." "Hide... now!" " Balm, inhalants, lozenges." " Inhalant!" "Hooyun!" "Look over there." "Do you see the shadows?" " Who are they?" " The rice smugglers." "If you want to work you have to get up there." " Does it take long to learn?" " I don't think so." "Fried rice and eggs." "Fried rice, anyone?" "We can't have that." " Is it expensive?" " No, it's got pork in it." "Here." "Take it or you'll be hungry before we get there." "Thank you." "The poor cow!" "It stinks." "Its guts must have come out." " What a pity!" " The poor owner." "His cow is dead and he'll be charged, too." " Why?" " For causing a delay." " There's a heavy fine." " That's not fair." "The railway authorities don't allow cows to graze by the railway tracks." "Hooyun, we're at a station." "Wait, I'll help." " Why are you here, darling?" " Watch your mouth, you dork." " Hold on!" " Go away." "You don't have to help me." " What are they carrying?" " Rice." "Let's go." "Hooyun!" "Hooyun!" "Hooyun!" "Hooyun!" "That kind of trade is easy and profitable." " What trade?" " Rice." " How much can you make?" " If you carry 30 kilos a day," " you'd get at least 60 baht." " 60 baht!" "If you like I'll introduce you to the guy we met at the station." " Which one?" " Naka." "Naka!" "Weird name..." "Do you know what it means?" "He said it meant dragon." "What does a dragon look like?" "I've only seen one in comic books." "It's like a giant snake with fangs." "How about your name?" "Let me guess..." " It means rain, right?" " How do you know?" "Someone told me before." "That's right!" "When we were in year 3, the teacher asked our names and warned us not to get close to you or we'd get wet." " I'd forgotten." " It's a pity you forgot." "I won't forget this time." "I've got wet too." " How much money have you got?" " Not much." "If you want to do this you'll need money." "You buy the rice, deliver it and sell it for a profit." "Can I start with a small amount?" "How about 20 kilos?" "You've got 80 baht, haven't you?" "Don't go on the roof, okay?" "You girls are always worrying for nothing." "Reading too much is dangerous." "Watch out or your eyes will break one day." "I don't believe you." "You aren't my dad." " You girls are sharp." " Yes, I can talk back." "Do you know how to do it?" "Just don't get nervous." "If you come with me, nobody will bother you." " Remember to visit me." " I won't forget." "Go!" "Dad's been hit by a train." "Last night he went to the bridge looking for you." "He went again this morning." "Where's Dad?" "In the city." "The doctor wouldn't see him here." "Is there anything wrong with him?" " I don't know." "They said he was drunk." " But he doesn't drink!" "We'll go see Dad this afternoon." "We were told to wait here for news about him tonight." "Please tell Dad I'm going to Malaysia with friends." "Okay." "Have fun." "I'll tell your dad." "Wait..." "When will we meet again?" "Anytime!" "I go by here every day, you know." "The train is delayed because of your dad." "Dad, I'm here." "I haven't drowned." "If you hadn't stopped me at the first station" "I'd be home by now." "Dad..." "Elder brother is back." "You can stop looking for him." "Are you hungry?" "Still no news." "If Dad is dead, what will we do?" "Dad won't die." "Don't put a curse on him." "It's all because of you." "Dad!" "Are you hurt?" "If he was, he wouldn't be smiling." "God saved me." "Hooyun..." "where have you been?" "I went with a friend to look for work." " Did you find any?" " Yes." "Smuggling rice across the border." "You know that's not easy!" "Isn't it risky?" "You could get arrested." "Other kids do it." "Some are younger than me." "Well..." "I'm worried that if something happens who will look after the younger ones?" "You shouldn't be worried." "If Mum were still alive she'd be happy." "If I die," "I'll die in peace." "You all must help each other." "Don't talk like that." "You'll frighten them." "Well, we don't know the future." "When will the doctor let you go home?" "I don't know." "They told me to stay on because... my leg may be crippled." "Don't worry too much, just stay together." "Come on, hurry up!" "More, more!" "Take the rest onto the train." "Is that the lot?" "If not, we'll be in trouble." "Quick!" "Damn!" "Who put them here?" "Finished?" "Hurry up!" "Alright, just give them to me." " Want one?" " I've never smoked." "Just try it." "In this line of work if you don't smoke you'll get a heart attack for sure." "Remember to run when the guards check the tickets." "When the police come to search for goods, just use your own judgement." "Damn!" "They're checking from both ends." " What do we do now?" " Go upstairs." "Come on, let's go." " Why up there?" " So you won't get fined." "Come on up here." "Quick." "Don't look down." "Keep climbing." "If you'd missed the step we would have both fallen." " Let's move." " Come on, let's go." " How are you?" " Adel!" "Who's the kid?" "Wear long pants next time, you'll look older." "Let's go." "Hey!" "You walk in front." "Remember three rules." "Don't look back, don't look down, and walk straight ahead." "Look, they're coming back." "Hey!" "Lay down!" "How was it?" "Did you close your eyes?" "Be careful." "Sit here." "Hey!" "How's things?" " I'll take the new books." " No." "They're for your sister." " Boys should have them." " New books are for girls." "Come here." "Each of you gets two books." "Adeya gets two." "Dunya gets two." "With the old books you share half each." "You should dress neatly, don't be sloppy." "A slob doesn't get a new shirt." "Look!" "I've got yours." "I won't give them back." "Look!" "She's hitting me." "Here's your pocket money." "We follow the school rules." " You know that, don't you?" " Yes." " Good morning, Miss." " Good morning." " Still selling ice cream?" " No." "I sell rice." "But, isn't that against the law?" "Aren't you afraid of getting caught?" "Only a little bit." "A lot or a little doesn't matter, it's still against the law." "Now that you have new clothes, don't you want to continue your studies?" " No." " What a waste." "I can hardly recognise you in those clothes." "Why?" "You look like a doll." "That shirt is way too big for your short arms." "Anyway, I'm bigger than you." "If I were a boy I'd be bigger than you." "Yes and too old for your age." " You look sad." " So what?" "You know I've only got one heart." " Big enough for two?" " That's my business." "Be careful." "A girl like you could be snatched away." "There's so many kidnappers around as well." "Help me!" "They've done the dirty on us." " Now what?" " Let's get them." "Are you sure it was them?" "I'll go talk to them." "You and Hooyun clean it up." "Hey!" "What's going on?" "What's happening?" "Stop!" "Stop!" "Don't you hear me?" "Stop!" "Don't you touch my things again." " Be careful!" " If it weren't for the guard," "I'd have knocked them down." "Isn't that right, Adel?" "If it weren't for you they'd have knocked me out." "Hooyun didn't fight, did he?" "If you don't take risks in your life, why bother living?" "Hold tight!" "Be careful." "Okay, let's go." "Ice cream!" "Ice cream for sale!" "Come and get it!" "Don't take it away." "Get him, get him!" "Come on!" "Get him." " You started first." " Hey!" "Stop it." "What are you doing?" "You go home!" "You won't get any more pocket money." "Why not?" "Don't you know I'm the one earning our living now?" " Dad's wages aren't enough to..." " So?" "I still need money." " Dunya..." " Draw a new one for me." "Good ice cream, bring some more tomorrow." "Will there be any tomorrow?" "Who knows?" "It isn't tomorrow yet." "Remember my words." "Sometimes, we can do things without expecting anything in return." "If you always remember that" "I'll be happier than if you give me a free ice cream." "Thanks for coming with me." "We're still friends, even after leaving school." "I haven't met anyone else I know." "Neither have I." "Those who can afford it will go to a provincial school." "You deserve to go because you did well." "The two young ones are studying now." " Your dad must be proud." " I don't know." " Which flowers would you like?" " The red ones." " Here they are." " Thank you." " What do you want to be?" " A good guy." " No." "What I mean is..." " Oh really... anything would be fine." "So I can support my family." "Then they won't have a hard life." "But it's difficult." "Hooyun!" "You're the one who's too old for your years." "Okay, we're even." " Oh!" " Damn you!" "You little devil!" "No manners..." "I don't want to sit there." "I'm going to sit somewhere else." " What is it?" " Nothing." "Maybe something." "Can't you speak nicely?" "Why are you so aggressive?" "I'm not aggressive." "I'm a Muslim." "A Muslim like you will never go to heaven." " I will after I die." " You're rude." "What do I have to do to please you?" "Will you go to the New Years festival with me?" "Sorry!" "I'm going with I've got a date already." "Balm, inhalants, lozenges..." "Keep an eye on all of it." "See you." "Let me go!" "Get off me, damn you!" "I hope you brought all the goods." "You did good today." " You're unlucky." " You left me!" "Hey!" "Go fight somewhere else, not here." "Each of us is on his own." "Let's go and get married." "I'll go too." " Are you coming?" " You first." "Okay." "Getting married at night?" "Aren't weddings during the day?" "Don't tell anyone." "They're going to the brothel." "Let's get something to eat." "I'm so tired." "Are you interested, boy?" "Only 20 baht." "They come here from across the border too." " Isn't it a sin?" " And you can get a disease." "Hey, Hooyun!" "Who's that?" "A friend..." "from school." "Is it hard to be a good person?" "The hard thing is to feed yourself." "Come in." "You're in trouble again, aren't you?" "Where's the money?" "Don't just stand there." " There's no money." " What do you mean?" "How dare you return home broke!" "Do you want to let your mum die like a stray dog?" "It may be better that way." "She'd be finished with you." "Why do you come here?" " To ask about Mum." " Now, listen..." "Your mum is seriously ill, but your dad still demands money from her." "She's given up hoping for anything from you." "She reckons raising you was a waste of time." " You look great today." " You too." "You said that because you wanted him to say the same." "Oh, come on!" "I was about to say the same thing about you." "Those clothes are much better than your dirty ones." "Those are my work clothes." "If I wore good clothes to work I'd ruin them." "Why?" " I have to climb onto the roof." " You're thrifty about clothes!" "But you aren't stingy for buying cigarettes." "That's a necessity, just like cosmetics for girls." "Not for me." "You don't have to tell me, I know..." "You're already pretty so you don't need make-up." " It's bigger than last year." " What?" "I said it's a big parade this year." "There will be beautiful animal floats as well." "Last year there was a big butterfly." " They'll have it this year too." " I hope so." "There it is!" "My butterfly." "Your butterfly." "Since when?" "It's the most beautiful butterfly I've ever seen." "Where's Adel?" "It's hot." "I'll get a drink for you." "Please wait here." "I couldn't find you." "I need to talk to you." "Let's get out of here." "I may have a problem." "Naka said he loved me." "He loves you!" " And?" " I said I didn't like him." "But you said he was a good friend." " I didn't mean I loved him." " Then, there's no problem." "But he threatened to abduct me." "Naka's changed a lot since mixing with older boys." "What should I do if he does what he said?" "Let's stay calm." "If he does, I'll handle it." "What if he comes tonight?" "We'll report it to the police." "By then, he'd have taken me across the border..." "Forget it." "I'll ask Adel to help me." " Naka must really love you." " But I don't love him." " I never will." " What do you want me to do?" "In fact, he also talked about you." "What did he say?" "He said I disliked him because I loved you." " Do you want to know everything?" " Tell me." "Don't argue with me after I tell you." "No, because it's the truth." "What truth?" "I haven't told you yet." "It's the truth that..." "I ought to know." "For a person like you..." " I don't want to tell you." " Just tell me." "He said if you want me you'll have to get past him first." " I'm going to talk to him." " Be careful, he's got a knife." "I've got a screwdriver." " Hey, you're great today." " Let's dance again." "Naka, I want to talk." "What's going on?" " What about?" " I want to ask you something." "Let's talk over there." " You threatened Mimpe." " So what?" "Real men don't harass women." "That's right, it's dishonorable." "And lying is just as bad." "I said you loved Mimpe." "What's wrong with that?" "Nothing, if that was all." "I ask you not to bother her... for the sake of our friendship." "Okay." "It'll get dirty." "It's beautiful." "Have you got a cigarette?" " Are you cold?" " Thanks." " How much have you got today?" " 50 kilos." " It's my last day today." " Why?" "Because you've been arrested so often?" "No." "I've just got tired of it." "My life will get better." "No worrying about the cops." "I won't have to break the law." "Many of us have been arrested." "Many have fallen to their deaths." "You may think I'm a coward, but you know none of us are cowards, all of us are brave." "What will you do, then?" "I don't know yet." "If there's no work, then I won't have to work." "How about you and Mimpe?" " What about us?" " When will you get married?" "We haven't thought about it." "You're perfect for Mimpe." "She's a nice girl." "Give me a cigarette." "Hey!" "Where are you going?" "To see the rain from up there one more time." "Hey!" "Wait!" " He was a daredevil." " I couldn't stop him in time." "Please help us!" "Someone's been killed falling from the train." "That's how it ends for all human beings." " I want to stop smuggling." " What would you do then?" "We should return sometimes to plant flowers for Naka." "It's a dangerous occupation." "We'll still have to do it... for a long time." "That's it, Hooyun!" "Why don't you grow flowers?" " Grow flowers?" " Haven't you seen it?" "People take them across the border to sell." "But who would I sell to?" "Leave it to me, okay?" "There'll be butterflies flying all over your garden." "So when I visit you I'll also see them." "Why do you like butterflies so much?" "I want to fly like a butterfly to see all the flowers." "Haven't I told you this before?" "Butterflies are lucky, they can see all the beautiful things." "Well, I'd grow..." "is there a butterfly flower?" "Yes!" "Butterfly flowers." "But no one will buy them, except me." "I'll keep them then." " When shall we start?" " Now." "I'll pick up my pay and look for a plot." "I'll go to see Mum and get some seeds for you." "Let's go, before we miss the train." "No, don't take it!" "For all those who always look forward to doing good deeds."