Mak Som was an old lady in her seventies. She was often seen collecting unwanted
boxes from the rubbish bins by the roadsides. She would then cart them away to
be sold on her old bicycle. Many villagers had offered to take her in but she
refused. She wanted to be independent. At night, she would be sleeping with a
torn and tattered cloth as her blanket on a bench in the park. One day, the
village headman called a meeting. They discussed Mak Som's condition and decided
to build her a wooden house as a surprise gift. After buying the necessary
materials, the men started work. even the children were eager to help. They
liked carrying tools or just fetching things for the workers.
Mak Som was curious and asked the women what was happening. The women said
sheepishly that a villager's relative was
moving in and the men were merely helping to build a house for him.
When the house was completed, the village headman decided to call a meeting
at the new house. they informed Mak Som that the village headman had something
important to announce and that she had to be present.
When Mak Som came, she was given the seat of honor. The village headman then
announced that the new house was a gift of the villages to Mak Som. she did not
want the house at first saying that she did not have the money to repay them.
After convincing her that it was a sincere gift of love from the villagers, she
finally accepted. With tears of joy, Mak Som thanked everyone of the villagers.
The villagers were glad that they had done their part for this elderly member of
their community. |