Ta Mong Lai and the Two Wedding Processions

Long ago at Ao Noi, Ta Mong Lai and Yai Ramphueng fished and mended nets together. Their daughter Yomdoi could read the wind, understand the waves, and wanted to choose her own path. News of her skill traveled even farther than news of her beauty.

One day, Chao Lai came from Phetchaburi and asked to know Yomdoi better. Impressed by his courtesy, Yai Ramphueng promised him a wedding. The next day, a distant trading junk entered the bay, and Ta Mong Lai made the same promise to the son of a Chinese ruler. Both parents thought they were choosing the best future for their daughter. Neither asked Yomdoi.

On the appointed morning, Chao Lai's procession came along the beach with gifts from Phetchaburi. The junk's procession approached from the sea with gifts from China. They reached the house together, their drums beating across one another. Only then did Ta Mong Lai and Yai Ramphueng discover that they had made the same promise to different people.

Their argument grew louder than the drums. Just then, a fierce sea gust swept hats, pestles, plates, chopsticks, areca nuts, and sweets from the trays. Some landed near hills, while others sailed over the waves. People later told how they became Ko Muak, Ko Sak, Ko Chan, Khao Takiab, Ko Mak, and other landmarks along the coast.

“Please stop!” Yomdoi stepped into the courtyard. “Mother and Father love me, but I am not a gift on a tray to be divided or given away. My voice belongs in any decision about my life.” Chao Lai and the ruler's son lowered their trays. They agreed that an answer not given by Yomdoi was not yet an answer at all.

Ta Mong Lai and Yai Ramphueng apologized to their daughter and returned the betrothal gifts together. The two processions departed with no winner and no loser. Yomdoi kept sailing, reading the wind, and choosing her own future. When people pointed to the unusually shaped hills and islands, they told of the day when two promises almost drowned out the most important voice.

Good intentions do not give us the right to decide another person's life. A promise involving someone else must begin by asking and listening to them.