Sibling rivalry between Dawan and Kwai

Dawan told Kwai that Noi and Ghan had discouraged her from going, which surprised Kwai. Unthinkingly, he uttered that perhaps he would get to go yet. Kwai disclosed that he had inquired of his result and found out that he had been second, right behind Dawan.

Dawan was surprised but adamant she would take up the scholarship and go study in the city. Their father had already said before that this would be the last year he paid for her studies, so she would have to drop out of school.

Kwai said getting the scholarship was a responsibility to help those who did not get the same chance. He questioned Dawan’s ability to bring about change as she was only a girl, unable to fight or lead others in a crisis. He thought that she was only good for studying. Arguing, Dawan said she was just as able to lead and take on responsibilities as her brother.

Back home, their father stated that if Kwai had won the scholarship, he was definitely allowed to go because he was a boy, and would come back to help his father.

Dawan wondered if her father had been right to think that it would be good if Kwai was able to go and study in the city so that he would have a better chance to get good jobs and help the family, or even become someone important who could change the injustices. She questioned what she herself could do.

She caught sight of a monk bathing in the river. She decided to go to the temple the next day to ask the head monk to help her convince her father to let her go.