Some of the princes and princesses in Thai folktales are born in unusual circumstances, for instance in a shell, in a tree, in a drum, etc.
Finding a mentor
An orphan or exiled prince must risk his life to acquire a magic weapon. Hermits and mythical beings like ogres in the forest become the typical mentors for a wondering prince. Every prince in Thai literature and Chakchak Wongwong fables receives a magic weapon at birth or from a hermit or ogre (giant) who is his mentor or foster parent. An example is a giant who sends a prince to collect some saphaya, which are magic leaves.
The Saphaya Tree
is a story about a giant who brought up a boy as his very own son. One day when he goes to find some food the boy wanders into a cave where he finds a saphaya tree whose leaves come in different colors: red for becoming a naga; white, for becoming a monkey; green, for becoming a bird; and yellow, for turning the skin into gold.
In another version:
After the boy gives the leaves to a hermit, he receives a magic blanket as a reward. If the prince covers himself with the golden side of the blanket, his skin will turn gold like that of a deva (god). If he covers himself with the gray side, he will turn into an ordinary fellow.*
The Saphaya Tree tales has striking parallels with the Sang Thong tale that make the odd detail: the single blanket that does double duty providing both the golden skin and that disguises the true appearance of the protagonist, like San Thong’s Ngor mask.
*The Legacy of Traditional Thai Literature and Its Impact on Contemporary Children’s Literature by Ruenruthai Sujjaunpun
A Lanna Tai woman admires the tree blossoms in her garden. Trees are prized for their beauty, their fruits and as magic objects. Trees can be homes to ghosts and benevolent tree spirts that can fulfill wishes.
Sidhisara Jataka
In this tale tree spirits recognize the merit of the main character and they advise him how to find various magical articles.
Narajiva’s Kathina Jataka
A deformed man in the Himavanta forest receives two branches from a magic tree. By eating one, he loses his deformity and becomes handsome. He tricks his enemies into eating the other branch, which turns them into monkeys.