The reading notes are taken from The Laos Folk-Lore by Katherine Neville Fleeson.
The second part of the reading had one story catch my eye. It is called to aid a beast and it tells the story of a hunter's journey. It goes through and shows how kindness will reward people in the end. The first time the hunter came across a man that was stuck in a pit. The man pleaded with the hunter to help him and that he would always remember his kindness. The hunter helped him out of the pit and the man revealed that he was a goldsmith to the head chow. The goldsmith told the hunter that if he ever needed anything, he would come help him.
The hunter kept traveling through the jungle and came across a tiger caught in an elephant snare. The tiger begged the hunter to free him and that his kindness would be remembered. The hunter freed the tiger and the tiger told him that if he ever needed anything, to call upon him and he would come to his aid.
The hunter again kept traveling through the jungle and came across a snake. The snake had fallen into a well and was stuck. The snake begged the hunter to help him and that his kindness would be remembered. When the hunter helped the snake out of the well, the snake told him that he would be in his debt; and to call on him if he ever needed help.
Unknown to the hunter the same day that he helped the tiger, it went and ate the chow's son. He decided to call on the tiger to repay his debt. The tiger brought the hunter the golden chain he had kept from when he had eaten the chow's son. After receiving the golden chain, the hunter went to the goldsmith to sell it. The goldsmith recognized the chain and claimed that the hunter had killed the chow's son and brought him to the chow for a reward. The chow put the hunter into chains and wanted to kill him that day. The hunter begged for his seven day respite and it was granted . The hunter called upon the snake to help him in his situation. The snake brought him an antidote to cure snake venom that causes blindness. The snake then went and spat venom into the chow's wife's eyes and she was blind. The chow then heard of the hunter being skilled in herbs and asked for his help. The hunter used the antidote the snake had given him and cured the chow's wife. The hunter then explained his journey to the chow and how he had been betrayed by the goldsmith. Angered at the goldsmith the chow decided to kill him for his greed and rewarded the hunter.
(Caption: Gold Necklace by Pixbay)
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