Unwinding the Cocoons

After the mulberry-munching caterpillars mature, they are left to spin
a silk cocoon. In my fairytale version of the silk story, the cocoons
are harvested after the critter exits as a moth. In reality, the
cocoons are left in cheerful, golden piles to die in the hot Khmer
sun. Then, into this boiling pot they go. The silk is teased from the
cocoons and unwound onto a big bobbin.