'Thus are the High Lords' a short story by Kukrit Pramoj

How arrogant can a civil servant be if he considers himself a benefit to humanity? 

The ramshackle Dakota heads for an island in the Gulf of Siam. The closer the island gets, the lower it flies. It crashes in the middle of the island. An explosion, and a flame shoots up. After that it's quiet.

'Sir, sir…' whispers the petite official. In front of him lies a senior official with his eyes closed. The lying man groans. 'Now say! Am I dead or am I still alive? If you can't feel my pulse anymore, get the request for a decoration because I died in service!'

The petite officer gives him a respectful 'wai' before gently taking his superior's hand. He feels the pulse and says 'Sir, I can still feel your pulse. So you haven't gone yet.'

'O. Well that's good," says the senior official. "Massage my legs now or I can't get up!" The other begins to massage the legs while saying 'I have survived because you were born under a lucky star. When the plane hit the ground I grabbed you and jumped out just before the explosion. The other passengers were all burned to death on the plane. Only you survived and I owe my salvation to your guardian angel.'

"Oh yes, are they all dead?" asks the senior official. "Yes sir, they are all dead." 'That's right then. You can compete with others in all areas of life, but not with fate. However?'

'That's true, sir. Had your angel not protected me, I would be dead now. That I am saved I will never forget in this life and I will be your faithful servant until my death.'

"Ah, a trifle, not worth mentioning," says the senior official. He continues with 'I'm hungry. Is there something to eat here? A whiskey-soda on the rocks before dinner will do.'

'Sorry, sir' says the small official, 'We're in the middle of the jungle here. Our supplies have been burned. It's my fault I didn't pay attention to that. My apologies for that please….”

'Oh, what the hell. I've had worse. During business trips on the mainland, I often had to go hungry. Are there people around?' "I don't know yet, but I ask your permission to investigate."

Then he runs off. After making his way through the jungle for an hour, he returns, accompanied by two men. From the way they look you can tell that they are two ordinary citizens of the Thai people.

After the petty official tells the two men to kneel and raise their hands in a respectful 'wai', he reports. “I checked the island. The name is unknown. There are no people or villages, just jungle. There is a stream with clean water, no wild but harmless animals. I have brought these men so that they may, kneeling, greet you and feel the honor of seeing you.' "Fine," says the senior official. 

And to the two men: 'What are you doing on this island? What are you eating?' 'We are fishermen, sir. We ended up on this island by shipwreck. We've been here ever since and can't go back home because no ship has passed by yet.' "See!" says the high official in a stern tone. “You two just can't help each other. Now that I think about it, this country is just for crying. If my plane hadn't crashed here, what would you do? You would probably stay on this island until you died.'

The men bow fearfully, hands still clasped together, and answer, trembling with fear, "Whatever you want!" The officer continues. “You're really lucky that my inspection tour brought me to this area, or else you'd be in even more trouble. Well, I'm slowly getting hungry. Get up and make some food. It doesn't have to be a big menu; three or four dishes is enough!'

Build a cabin

And then, to the lower official, 'Give them advice. You cannot trust such people. You have to keep an eye on them constantly. When dinner is ready, have them build a hut by the stream. Don't forget a veranda so we can sit outside, and think of blinds against the sun.'

With the little official's directions, both subjects can put together an excellent meal in the middle of the jungle; the high official has never had anything like this. Everything tastes and is his favorite dish. And although the island is in the middle of the sea, the dinner does not consist of 'fruits de mer' such as crab, lobster, mussels or other sea fish, no, it consists of hard-to-catch freshwater fish, forest fruits and even things like ice cream and whiskey soda has been able to squeeze the smart official out of the subjects. After a short time the first trays with food and drinks arrive. There is no shortage of anything.

The petty official apologizes to his superior: “I hope you, sir, forgive me if something is not present. It's a really miserable place here.' The chef takes a look at the food and says affably 'It's good. We are here without an appointment. But you see, you can learn from every mistake, and you must always do your best to make up for your mistakes.' Then he starts to eat hungry, while the other official serves him, because the two citizens hurry to build a hut.

When the high official has finished eating, he strides stately to the stream where there is a house, built with the sweat of the citizens. There is a living room and a bedroom, bath, kitchen and a large veranda with blinds. bed, cushions, tables and chairs; everything brought there by the citizens according to his rank. The house is connected to electricity, which was generated from hydropower on the orders of the petty official. 

The high lord looks at the house from all sides and gives a satisfied nod. 'You did that nicely. Thank you very much. I think I'll just stay here a little longer. After work you have to rest well!' His subordinate waits at the bottom of the stairs until his superior has gone upstairs and says respectfully, "What an honor for us!"

Time flies

After three years, living conditions on the island are completely different. The island, which had only two residents who were wild and underdeveloped, has improved after both officials took charge of the citizens. There are now staff houses, a landscaped garden, beautiful waterfalls and large and small streets. There is a wide ring road around the island.

There is a government health resort by the sea. There are buildings with facilities built by the citizens for the welfare of the civil servants who now have a big belly because they are doing very well. There is plenty of food there.

The two civilians, on the other hand, still go to sleep in the woods because they cannot afford anything better. They also have no free time in recent months to do anything for themselves because they have been requisitioned in government service to develop the island. They must be ready to receive the senior state inspectors and coincidentally come to check on them every day.

Still not even one boat appears on the horizon. The senior official says anxiously to his subordinates, 'I've been here a long time now. I get homesick and want to go home.' "But sir, I can't solve the problem of how to get to Bangkok."

'Ah, you can't solve even something so simple! Get those men here and let them build a boat. Wood was in the forest, right? And those people have been fishermen so they can take us to Bangkok when the boat is ready!'

The two subjects cut down trees and build a boat. They grow cotton to make thread and eventually weave a sail. When everything is ready, they ask the two officials on board. They also take provisions with them so that the gentlemen have something to eat and drink on the way. Then the sail is hoisted and the boat goes out to sea. Finally they bring the gentlemen to their house.

They are received with joy. Women, children, family and domestic servants receive them warmly. Everyone is impressed by the power of the lucky star under which the high official must have been born now that he has protected everyone's life. The table is set for a big party. Good food and beautiful drinks are served to celebrate the return of the two gentlemen.

Then a servant girl comes humbly to the lords and says: 'Gentlemen, in front of the house are a couple of countrymen who claim that they have come with you both from the island. What can I say to those people on your behalf?'

'Ah! Completely forgot' says the senior official, 'yes, they came with me. They accompanied me to the house, certainly, an impressive gesture. Give them a drink! And not the most expensive because they really don't taste the better brands. Then tell them they can go home, I don't need them anymore. Oh, and don't forget to bring the glasses in….”

Source: Kurzgeschichten aus Thailand (1982). Translation and editing Erik Kuijpers. This story has been shortened.

Author Kukrit Pramoj (in Thai More information, 1911-1995) was a writer, statesman, journalist, actor and dancer. This story is from the collection 'Ruam rüang san', short stories. About his life and work: https://www.thailandblog.nl/cultuur/kukrit-pramoj-19111995-een-ongelooflijk-veelzijdige-man/