Dhevaprom: Kwanruetai

Chapter 3

Chiang Rai, 1992

"Maisiik, you go and lure that black boar out from the other side of the woods," said the leader, Tai, with a hint of impatience in her tone.

Maisiik, pudgy and reluctant, moved reluctantly with a sigh, muttering under his breath, "Are you sure, Tai? That black boar's pretty fierce."

The black boar, a burly beast, had become infamous for ravaging the villagers' gardens, causing significant damage. It weighed at least thirty kilos and sported sharp, curving tusks. It had already attacked several villagers, leaving painful marks. Unlike other wild boars that roamed in packs, this one was particularly aggressive and had separated from the others.

"Why be afraid? It's just a pig. What harm can it really do?" Tai said dismissively.

Maisiik protested, "But it's big! And those tusks..."

"It may be big, but it's still smaller than you," Tai shot back, hands on her hips.

"Can't we send Samlee instead, Tai?" Maisiik tried to bargain, pointing to another of their gang. Samlee, with his dark skin, was quick to shake his head and wave his hands frantically. His white teeth were the only thing visible in his dark complexion, especially when he smiled, but at the thought of danger, he was quick to signal "no" with wide eyes.

"No way. You're fat enough to confuse it."

"No way, Samlee would be better, he's so dark the boar wouldn't see him coming," Maisiik countered. "I heard boars don't have the best eyesight. Just stand still, and it won't notice you."

Boars indeed had a keen sense of smell, but their sight and hearing weren't as sharp. Tai turned to Samlee with a commanding gesture, "Fine. Samlee, you go then."

Samlee clapped his hands in a pleading motion, his legs trembling. "Not me, Tai! I've got weak legs; they shake just from standing here. Maisiik's the stronger one!"

Maisiik shot back, "No way, you're leaner—you'd run faster and not get gored!" The two kept bickering back and forth until Tai, exasperated, grabbed his shirt sleeve and yelled, "Enough! You two are such cowards. If neither of you is willing, then I'll do it myself—and don't bother calling me your leader anymore!"

Faced with such an ultimatum, the two quickly tried to appease her.

"Come on, Tai, don't say that. We're just a bit scared," Maisiik pleaded, eyeing Samlee with frustration.

"Fine. Decide between you two who's going."

"How about rock-paper-scissors?" Samlee suggested, hoping for a fair outcome. They clasped their hands together in a brief prayer, hoping for good luck, and on Tai's count, threw their hands in the air. Samlee went with paper, while Maisiik chose scissors.

"Ha! You lost, Samlee, so you're the one going in!" Maisiik cheered, laughing with relief.

"Come on! Did you cheat or what?" Samlee whined.

"Enough arguing! Get going," Tai ordered, tossing a red cloth at them. It gave off an odd smell, and Tai herself held a pole with a loop at the end, ready to snare the boar.

"What's this, Tai?" Maisiik asked, curious about the cloth.

"Don't know. Aunt Jook from the market said boars like this smell. Just go! Remember, run in circles so I can get a good angle with the snare."

With no other choice, Samlee clutched the red cloth and made his way toward the bushes where they suspected the black boar was hiding. A few days before, it had wreaked havoc on the villagers' crops and had vanished into the woods. He nervously peered through the brush, expecting to see its hiding spot, while Maisiik trailed behind, equally wary.