ALT-10 How to Choose the right Motorcycle for you
Everyone has something which they dream about. For me, it is a motorcycle. I have been dreaming about it since I was 13 years old. The only problem is that my parents don't have much money. I sometimes thought about buying a stolen one like one of my friends. Now I am happy I didnt do anything stupid, because my dream is going to come true soon.
For the past six months I have been working hard building a virtual shop on the Internet. My school has a web site called www.thaihypermarket.com. Students and teachers at Sriwittayapaknam School are allowed to set up shops here. I built a shop selling books that are printed in English and Thai. Business is good and I am now earning nearly as much as my parents. After waiting for more than three years, it's time for me to go and buy a motorcycle almost time that is.
First I had a visit to make. I soon found myself sitting in a kuti waiting to meet a monk. I wanted to ask him if it would be OK for me to buy a motorcycle. The reason I was asking him is because he is a fortune teller and my family respects him very much. Also, my mum told me to come to talk to him first. He is always right every time he tells us not to do something. For example: there was one time he told me to be careful about transport. Better not to ride or drive. I didn't really believe him then. Not long after that, I had an accident on my Dad's motorcycle. I was hurt for weeks. After that I believed everything he told me.
I sat there waiting for quite a long time. Longer than half an hour. There were two more groups in front of me. One came with a big board. I saw the words "Beauty Salon" written on it. They must have brought it here for the monk to bless. Another group had a baby but I didnt understand what they had come for. Then I saw the monk cutting the baby's hair. Now I knew. Their baby was having its first haircut; we call it "Fire Hair Shaving" in Thai.
Then it was my turn. I walked up to the monk politely and he said to me "How are you, naughty boy?" He has known me for a long time. I used to be a novice monk at this temple. I said to him that I was very well and then I asked him about the motorcycle.
He asked me for my date of birth and also for the time I was born. Then he opened a book and I saw him counting something for a long time. Then he told me that it's not the right time for me to buy a motorcycle. He said I won't have any good luck with transport. I told him that I really wanted to have it and that I would buy it anyway. Before I left, he told me to be careful. Don't get angry too quickly and relax more. I said thank you and told him I would be careful.
The day after seeing the monk something happened to me. I was in a car when we were hit by a motorcycle. We stopped and I got out to ask the motorcyclist if he was alright. He said he was fine. I saw some scratches and bruises on his hands and arms. He was lucky he was wearing a helmet. Now I realise that the monk was right again.
But, it won't stop me buying a motorcycle. I won't give up. I will get it. I have been waiting for many years and I don't want to wait any more. I don't know what will happen next but one thing is for sure, I will get a motorcycle. Sorry monk.
