English Translation

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Thao Piat and Thao Toum were friends.  Thao Piet's parents were farmers, and lived in the country.  Thao Toum's parents were government professionals and lived in the city.  Thao Toum went to a school in the city, and Thao Piat went to a rural school. 

   One day, Thao Toum wrote a letter to Thao Piat at his rural school.  He invited his friend to come to town during his vacation for a visit.  He said, "My school will still be in session, so you can visit school with me.  Then we'll visit downtown with all its big government office buildings.  They have planted flowers outside the building, and it is very pretty to see.  At night, I will take you to the theater, and we'll walk around the streets to see the lights.  You'll see so many wonderful things."

   Thao Piat answered his friend's letter.  He told his friend, "Next year, when your school closes for vacation, I would like to invite you to come to visit me at my home.  I live in the country, so I don't have all those things you have in town. We'll go fishing at a big river, and we'll cook the fish for our lunch.  I'll take you to see the rice fields and walk down the roads.  A cool breeze will slowly blow around you and make you happy.  You'll hear the songs of the insects and birds, and that will make you happy too."  He continued, "If you come during the rainy season, at night, you will hear some rain, and the frogs will sing all night in the rice fields.  In the morning, you will see traditional farm life.  You'll be so happy, you' ll forget your town."

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