sarN
sarNie Granny
CH 1
They call her ‘jasmine rice’ because her father work in a rice factory in a small village in the district of Phu Khiao. The year was 1936, she was only 12 years old when her father suddenly die from an accident on his way to work that morning . He had stop his bicycle and went into a small cottage to ask a friend for some water , the summer heat left his throat dry and ache . It was common for neighbor to ask neighbor for water since hardly anyone is a stranger in the small village. There was a loud commotion from the far end of the road and when he turn to observe , there was several herds of angry buffalo marching toward him. The farmer behind the herds was shouting “Shh! Shh! Move out the way!”. The buffalo was startle by the local children throwing fire cracker into the rice field and before the farmer could curse the little rascals , the buffalo was on the loose. Everyone said her father could have avoided the death if only he stood clear from the pathway but instead he leap in panic to retreat the bicycle that was park on the dirt road and wasn’t able to escape on time . He was stomped to death.
Jasmine had woke up early that very morning while her father was still a sleep . They live in a small cottage by the river and about 10mile from the nearest village market. She climb down the wooden ladder and when around the cottage where the forest is their backyard . She smile with great excitement as she remove layer of layer of dry banana leaf and uncover a bicycle beneath it . The child’s face lit up with happiness and brought the bicycle up on it’s wheel . It was what she had always wanted though father wasn’t able to afford it but he had promise her , one day he will save up enough money to buy it for his little girl. Jasmine had always been a good child , she does her chores before the breaking of dawn and then walk the few mile to school alone. She had never ask anything from her father and though she was only a child but she understand their poverty life and the amount of work he put in at the factory . He begin to notice the hint in her eye when she watch the children rode their bicycle outside and when she suddenly took a difference path to school . He knew it was because the local children tease her of walking bare foot.
She would never forget her father’s face when he left to work that morning , his smile and worries expression embarked in her heart . “Sorry , Jasmine . Your drunken uncle seem to forgot to pick me up with his beat up buggy. I’m using your bicycle today and tomorrow it’s all your” he smile down on her and smooth her hair in that fatherly way . She hug him tightly and headed to school with such a wonderful feeling . She couldn’t hardly wait till tomorrow to ride her new bicycle with all the other children.
But that was this morning. As she waited for her father to return home that evening , sitting on the swing her father made and counting softly in her head , wondering what number when he appear . She saw her uncle and some of the village people with sad expression on their face .
“Jasmine, your father is dead” said Uncle Sambat , his voice break into despair and silent fall upon the people behind him until one of woman said “It was an accident”. One by one the village people outline the detail and the farmer who witness the whole terror swore he didn’t delay any time and rush her father body to the nearest hospital but it was already too late. In that moment her world was shatter . She was alone for the first time in her life . No amount of tear she cry will bring her father back . There was no funeral because she didn’t have any money and the village people have their family to worry about . The monks step in and took the body to cremate it in the backyard , there was only a few people to witness the ceremony and afterward her father‘s ashes was collected in jar. Life goes on and people does not give sympathy for parentless child , not if that person is a money hunger. Jasmine was thrown out into the road the following day , Pimma , the land lord came personal to drag the child out of the land .
“Since your father is dead and a child can’t expect to earn any income . I suggest you leave now” said Pimma , chewing rapid on her tobacco with one foot taping the ground .
Jasmine pleads with the vicious lady but her cry was wave off and a couple of manservant carry the screaming child away and toss her as if she a piece of trash into the field . The child cry hopelessly as the men run sack through the cottage and toss everything outside . She watch with tear as memorable item landed on the ground and dirt clouded the air . Bystander stop and watch with bitter word under their breath but none are willing to step forward because the vicious lady held their land property through loan the village people had cumulated and therefore put them forever in debt with high interest fee. The child drag her bruise body up and collect item that’s dearest to her . She could only manage to take a couple photo, pillow , book and her father’s money box because the men immediately came after her when they saw her return and she scatter away like a dog in fear .
Uncle Sambat took the child in but with eight children to feed it was a burden for his wife to split the food when it come to lunch time. Jasmine was aware of Aunt Salin’s glare when ever the family gather in circle to have their meal. The children age was from 1 to 15 years of age and they are despicable with unpatented manner .Aunt Salin would sit with one knee up in her wore up sarong and a homemade shoulder cut blouse . Her lip would twitch in hatred at Jasmine , while her hand constantly tearing down food and stuffing rice down her younger children’s throat . Jasmine would bow her head low when ever she catches Aunt Salin’s eye , while the family feast on the meal, Jasmine would nibble on the rice like a little wounded mouse in the darkness. She was afraid to reach for the meat because she know her aunt wouldn’t like it and though her stomach growl in protest her fear was more greater . Fear of being alone and unwanted. This was the only family she know and have. She had lost count to have many time she cry at night when she laid down in the little corner of the cottage with only the cloth she had on as a blanket .
When tragedy strike there was never a warning. Jasmine came home from school one day when the cottage caught on fire . Aunt Salin fall a sleep while her children was playing with the matches and cause an out break fire. The children was still inside and cry while their mother still asleep .
“FIRE FIRE!!” Jasmine cry out and rush inside to save the children . Aunt Salin jump up and scream like a mad woman as smoke fill the room. Jasmine manage bring everyone out to safely when Aunt Salin remember something, “Our life saving in there !!! It’s under the pillow !!” she cry pitifully and turn to slap her stupid children in agony . Jasmine try to hold the lady back as the children ran to the nearest neighbor .
“You done this ! You’re a curse! A bad omen! You kill your father and now my house!!” said Aunt Salin and swung around to slap the child down to the hard ground. She pointed toward the burning cottage and shouted “ Go back in there and get the pillow you ungrateful child! Go! Do not come out of there till you find it !”
Jasmine begin to sob uncontrollably and fear register her eye . Then she felt a hard hand gripping her arm and yank her up . Aunt Salin shove her into the burning cottage until her small body flung half way inside and she drop to her knew . Smoke gather in her eye and lung . She choke violently as her aunt shout from the outside “ Get the pillow you stupid child!!” . Jasmine scream and everywhere she turn there was flame , wild and frighten . It burn her eye and the pain was unbearable .She couldn’t see anything but she heard voices , the village people had came to put out the fire and before she could even scream for help she drop on her knee and faint .
When she woke up again at the hospital she was blind. The world as she once saw it was now gray . She still have bandage around her head when the doctor came in and told everyone the bad new. “The flame and smoke must had caught her eye” said the doctor . Jasmine sat there and listen with a horrible sick feeling. She reach for the bandage around her eye and jump off the bed . She heard her uncle voice telling her to relax and the doctor calling for the nurse to come. No, she doesn’t want to be blind . Nobody want a blind child !! She reach out to touch air , searching for something to touch she was clumsy and knock down the equipment , scatter the tray and she scream till her lung die out . There was voices , so many voices and all of them were stranger . Uncle wasn’t in the room no more because she doesn’t hear his voice again and there was hand holding her . The nurses had carry her and place her on the bed . She sat there crying and with her hand she try to rip the bandage out , thinking , perhaps the reason she can’t see is because this bandage , if only she could take it off and then everything will be fine .
But she was wrong . At age 14 , she was blind and abandon . Uncle Sambat never came back to pick her up from the hospital and none of the doctor could reach the family because they had left the village the following day . Afraid they will be responsible for the bill and her life . She was send to Leper Colony in Mae Lao, a non-profit organization, that was founded by Missionary Tommy Tillman and there she was place in the orphanage The cofounder was a feigner with blond hair and blue eye she heard the nurse said , “ The church offer education as well and the nun here are very nice”
Jasmine clung to the nurse’s arm as they walk inside the church . Their foot step cause a tapping echo throughout the hollow building and the air smell of sweet candle . The nurse stop and the girl’s grip was tighter on the nurse arm. Jasmine heard an accent from a man talking to the nurse and she knew he must be Tommy Tillman the missionary .
“This will be your new home from now ” said the nurse. Jasmine shook her head and tear stream down her imperfect eye , the reddish mark till visible around the eye socket and the dilate pupil held a dead silent .
“You will love it here. Everything will be fine” said another woman voice with a similar accent to the missionary . The nurse left the church after explaining to the child the wonderful thing the church have to offer and Jasmine was once again abandon . The first couple month of her blindness was agony , she wasn’t able to adjust to her new found of life she must endure and at the orphanage the nun was patience with her . There would be cut and bruise all over her body from tripping and knocking over thing. She would release her frustration by banging her hand with her fist , hating those eye of her and the darkness that stole her life a way . She had always been an active child , when one born into poverty , there was no time for luxury and when father was alive , she was his extra hand on the field and home.
They call her ‘jasmine rice’ because her father work in a rice factory in a small village in the district of Phu Khiao. The year was 1936, she was only 12 years old when her father suddenly die from an accident on his way to work that morning . He had stop his bicycle and went into a small cottage to ask a friend for some water , the summer heat left his throat dry and ache . It was common for neighbor to ask neighbor for water since hardly anyone is a stranger in the small village. There was a loud commotion from the far end of the road and when he turn to observe , there was several herds of angry buffalo marching toward him. The farmer behind the herds was shouting “Shh! Shh! Move out the way!”. The buffalo was startle by the local children throwing fire cracker into the rice field and before the farmer could curse the little rascals , the buffalo was on the loose. Everyone said her father could have avoided the death if only he stood clear from the pathway but instead he leap in panic to retreat the bicycle that was park on the dirt road and wasn’t able to escape on time . He was stomped to death.
Jasmine had woke up early that very morning while her father was still a sleep . They live in a small cottage by the river and about 10mile from the nearest village market. She climb down the wooden ladder and when around the cottage where the forest is their backyard . She smile with great excitement as she remove layer of layer of dry banana leaf and uncover a bicycle beneath it . The child’s face lit up with happiness and brought the bicycle up on it’s wheel . It was what she had always wanted though father wasn’t able to afford it but he had promise her , one day he will save up enough money to buy it for his little girl. Jasmine had always been a good child , she does her chores before the breaking of dawn and then walk the few mile to school alone. She had never ask anything from her father and though she was only a child but she understand their poverty life and the amount of work he put in at the factory . He begin to notice the hint in her eye when she watch the children rode their bicycle outside and when she suddenly took a difference path to school . He knew it was because the local children tease her of walking bare foot.
She would never forget her father’s face when he left to work that morning , his smile and worries expression embarked in her heart . “Sorry , Jasmine . Your drunken uncle seem to forgot to pick me up with his beat up buggy. I’m using your bicycle today and tomorrow it’s all your” he smile down on her and smooth her hair in that fatherly way . She hug him tightly and headed to school with such a wonderful feeling . She couldn’t hardly wait till tomorrow to ride her new bicycle with all the other children.
But that was this morning. As she waited for her father to return home that evening , sitting on the swing her father made and counting softly in her head , wondering what number when he appear . She saw her uncle and some of the village people with sad expression on their face .
“Jasmine, your father is dead” said Uncle Sambat , his voice break into despair and silent fall upon the people behind him until one of woman said “It was an accident”. One by one the village people outline the detail and the farmer who witness the whole terror swore he didn’t delay any time and rush her father body to the nearest hospital but it was already too late. In that moment her world was shatter . She was alone for the first time in her life . No amount of tear she cry will bring her father back . There was no funeral because she didn’t have any money and the village people have their family to worry about . The monks step in and took the body to cremate it in the backyard , there was only a few people to witness the ceremony and afterward her father‘s ashes was collected in jar. Life goes on and people does not give sympathy for parentless child , not if that person is a money hunger. Jasmine was thrown out into the road the following day , Pimma , the land lord came personal to drag the child out of the land .
“Since your father is dead and a child can’t expect to earn any income . I suggest you leave now” said Pimma , chewing rapid on her tobacco with one foot taping the ground .
Jasmine pleads with the vicious lady but her cry was wave off and a couple of manservant carry the screaming child away and toss her as if she a piece of trash into the field . The child cry hopelessly as the men run sack through the cottage and toss everything outside . She watch with tear as memorable item landed on the ground and dirt clouded the air . Bystander stop and watch with bitter word under their breath but none are willing to step forward because the vicious lady held their land property through loan the village people had cumulated and therefore put them forever in debt with high interest fee. The child drag her bruise body up and collect item that’s dearest to her . She could only manage to take a couple photo, pillow , book and her father’s money box because the men immediately came after her when they saw her return and she scatter away like a dog in fear .
Uncle Sambat took the child in but with eight children to feed it was a burden for his wife to split the food when it come to lunch time. Jasmine was aware of Aunt Salin’s glare when ever the family gather in circle to have their meal. The children age was from 1 to 15 years of age and they are despicable with unpatented manner .Aunt Salin would sit with one knee up in her wore up sarong and a homemade shoulder cut blouse . Her lip would twitch in hatred at Jasmine , while her hand constantly tearing down food and stuffing rice down her younger children’s throat . Jasmine would bow her head low when ever she catches Aunt Salin’s eye , while the family feast on the meal, Jasmine would nibble on the rice like a little wounded mouse in the darkness. She was afraid to reach for the meat because she know her aunt wouldn’t like it and though her stomach growl in protest her fear was more greater . Fear of being alone and unwanted. This was the only family she know and have. She had lost count to have many time she cry at night when she laid down in the little corner of the cottage with only the cloth she had on as a blanket .
When tragedy strike there was never a warning. Jasmine came home from school one day when the cottage caught on fire . Aunt Salin fall a sleep while her children was playing with the matches and cause an out break fire. The children was still inside and cry while their mother still asleep .
“FIRE FIRE!!” Jasmine cry out and rush inside to save the children . Aunt Salin jump up and scream like a mad woman as smoke fill the room. Jasmine manage bring everyone out to safely when Aunt Salin remember something, “Our life saving in there !!! It’s under the pillow !!” she cry pitifully and turn to slap her stupid children in agony . Jasmine try to hold the lady back as the children ran to the nearest neighbor .
“You done this ! You’re a curse! A bad omen! You kill your father and now my house!!” said Aunt Salin and swung around to slap the child down to the hard ground. She pointed toward the burning cottage and shouted “ Go back in there and get the pillow you ungrateful child! Go! Do not come out of there till you find it !”
Jasmine begin to sob uncontrollably and fear register her eye . Then she felt a hard hand gripping her arm and yank her up . Aunt Salin shove her into the burning cottage until her small body flung half way inside and she drop to her knew . Smoke gather in her eye and lung . She choke violently as her aunt shout from the outside “ Get the pillow you stupid child!!” . Jasmine scream and everywhere she turn there was flame , wild and frighten . It burn her eye and the pain was unbearable .She couldn’t see anything but she heard voices , the village people had came to put out the fire and before she could even scream for help she drop on her knee and faint .
When she woke up again at the hospital she was blind. The world as she once saw it was now gray . She still have bandage around her head when the doctor came in and told everyone the bad new. “The flame and smoke must had caught her eye” said the doctor . Jasmine sat there and listen with a horrible sick feeling. She reach for the bandage around her eye and jump off the bed . She heard her uncle voice telling her to relax and the doctor calling for the nurse to come. No, she doesn’t want to be blind . Nobody want a blind child !! She reach out to touch air , searching for something to touch she was clumsy and knock down the equipment , scatter the tray and she scream till her lung die out . There was voices , so many voices and all of them were stranger . Uncle wasn’t in the room no more because she doesn’t hear his voice again and there was hand holding her . The nurses had carry her and place her on the bed . She sat there crying and with her hand she try to rip the bandage out , thinking , perhaps the reason she can’t see is because this bandage , if only she could take it off and then everything will be fine .
But she was wrong . At age 14 , she was blind and abandon . Uncle Sambat never came back to pick her up from the hospital and none of the doctor could reach the family because they had left the village the following day . Afraid they will be responsible for the bill and her life . She was send to Leper Colony in Mae Lao, a non-profit organization, that was founded by Missionary Tommy Tillman and there she was place in the orphanage The cofounder was a feigner with blond hair and blue eye she heard the nurse said , “ The church offer education as well and the nun here are very nice”
Jasmine clung to the nurse’s arm as they walk inside the church . Their foot step cause a tapping echo throughout the hollow building and the air smell of sweet candle . The nurse stop and the girl’s grip was tighter on the nurse arm. Jasmine heard an accent from a man talking to the nurse and she knew he must be Tommy Tillman the missionary .
“This will be your new home from now ” said the nurse. Jasmine shook her head and tear stream down her imperfect eye , the reddish mark till visible around the eye socket and the dilate pupil held a dead silent .
“You will love it here. Everything will be fine” said another woman voice with a similar accent to the missionary . The nurse left the church after explaining to the child the wonderful thing the church have to offer and Jasmine was once again abandon . The first couple month of her blindness was agony , she wasn’t able to adjust to her new found of life she must endure and at the orphanage the nun was patience with her . There would be cut and bruise all over her body from tripping and knocking over thing. She would release her frustration by banging her hand with her fist , hating those eye of her and the darkness that stole her life a way . She had always been an active child , when one born into poverty , there was no time for luxury and when father was alive , she was his extra hand on the field and home.
