Khin Hnin Yu - I Am Not Pretty and Other Magazine Novels

More than four islands, more than Myenmor Mountain

When she was pregnant with her first child, she didn't understand what Ko Win Maung was doing. Ever since she told him she was pregnant, Ko Win Maung planted three coconut trees near the fence behind their house. U Aung Gyi and I planted three coconut trees from the coconut garden.

Ko Win Maung's job is to represent dried fish traders in Yangon - in the lakes.

Since they settled in Innma village, they inherited a plot of land measuring 80 feet x 100 feet from their parents. Innma is connected to the school by road and reaches Pantanaw by water.

Ko Win Maung's work has nothing to do with planting coconut trees. He didn't ask Ko Win Maung anything, and when he went to the pond, he just thought he was planting coconut trees to satisfy his curiosity.

I told my mother.

“I don’t know what Ko Win Maung did, Mom. When I asked him, he said he was pregnant and planted a coconut tree the next day to commemorate the birth of his first child.”

My mother said the same thing when she came to visit me for a while in Yelay.

“Planting a coconut tree is like getting a husband,” said the mother.

' Ko Win Maung shouted with joy when his first son was born..

“Mother, my son’s face is clear. I will name him Kyi Maung.”

The firstborn son was in his twenties, still strong and full of energy, and still producing good milk. He was a healthy, strong, and handsome boy.

No matter how late he returned from the lake, he would take a bath in the back well and water the coconut tree. Ko Win Maung would water it regularly even though he had nowhere to go.

"There are also three-year-old coconuts. I don't like the three-year-old coconuts that are not free of pork. I only like the five-year-old coconuts and the big coconuts."

The coconut trees are not as tall as the palms, and the son is two years old.

Ma Kye was pregnant again. This time, when she told him she was having a baby, Ko Win Maung's face lit up again.

“My son has found a companion,” he said. He left for Inma Creek. He returned with three trees.

"Please help me dig it up"

'Ma Kye didn't understand. She took the shovel and went down to the front of the house where Ko Win Maung was. . "What are you doing?" . .

“Here, we must plant three trees of the Pantaputa variety, Mandalay-style mango tree - a symbol of the future generation.”

Ko Win Maung was digging a hole to plant trees. He planted them about 20 feet apart because the tree took up space. His son ran to see where he was planting the trees.

Ma Kye helped Ko Win Maung plant mango trees - and helped him dig the soil.

"Now... take a shower, as the earth is full of water."

When he went to the well to bathe, his son followed him, walking along the coconut trees.

“Look, mother, the coconut trees are taller than my son.”

The water is good in Inma. The rain is good because it is on the delta. All the mango trees are thriving.

Unlike city dwellers, women in rural areas do not need to do any special exercises during pregnancy. After doing housework, they swim in the well and water the mango and coconut trees. So, I don't know, my second child was born in a hurry.

"Aungmalay - I have two sons, but I have a younger brother to take care of the eldest son."

Ko Win Maung said happily as he held his second son in his arms. He named his second son Tin Maung.

The mango tree doesn't grow as fast as the coconut tree. But it is strong. Ma Kye thinks so. The eldest son Kyi Maung will grow tall and strong like the coconut tree, and the younger son Tin Maung will grow tall and strong like the mango tree.

But when the little boy started walking, he was a little frail and thin, while the big boy was plump and strong.

“Now, Ko Win Maung, what should I plant this time? I’m pregnant again.”

When she was pregnant with her third child, she asked in advance. If she continues like this, she will have one child every two years. If she continues to give birth at this rate until she reaches menopause at the age of 40, she will be able to have at least 10 children.

Ko Win Maung, this time when Maupin returned, he brought three flowers.

“Come on, Ma, dig up some soil, this time I’ll plant it in front of the house.”

"What are these?"

"The thorny trees"

"I think if you plant flowers, you will have a girl."

Ma Kye sat next to Ko Win Maung, who was digging the soil. They planted the seeds in rows in front of the house, about 10 feet apart.

"In my house, I have to share the fruits, vegetables, and flowers with my sons and daughters."

Ko Win Maung's digging hands are agile and strong.

As the omens say, the third child is a daughter.

“I am happy, Ko Win Maung. I am happy to have children. Now my daughter is my companion. When I am old, my daughter will stay by my side.”

The daughter is also fair and plump. As she grows older, the eldest son's skin darkens slightly. The middle son is thin, but tall and fair, while the daughter is also fair and plump.

A girl is not only beautiful, Ma Kye thought as she looked at her daughter. This time it was a daughter, and Ma Kye named it herself. Ma Kye Mon.

When Ko Win Maung was watering the trees, his sons and daughters would run after him. The two sons would play with the earth.

After Ma Kyaw Mon visited twice, Ko Win Maung had to send his eldest son, Kyi Maung, to the village primary school.

Ma Kye always remembers her son Kyi Maung crying loudly on his first day at school. After that, he went to school regularly.

When the dried fish were caught, they went down to the lake, collected the dried fish, and sent them to Ko Win Maung in Yangon. He bought a large amount of clothes, books, and toys for his children.

Every time I see a child, my mother comes to me and takes care of me, but I can't come with the fourth child. My mother is sick.

When I was pregnant with my fourth child, Ko Win Maung dug up the ground and planted jasmine flowers. There were about 100 plants.

“I don’t know what kind of baby I’ll have this time. If it’s a girl, we’ll name her Ma San Pae.” Ma Kye wanted to name her Ma San Pae, but Ko Win Maung named her Maung San Maung. To commemorate the birth of the baby, they planted a safflower tree and then planted three more trees after Maung San Maung was born.

Kyi Maung, Tin Maung, and San Maung had three sons, a daughter, Ma Kyi Mon, and Maung San Maung's mother died in the fire pit and could not go to Ye Lai, so Ko Win Maung went to bury her.

When his eldest son Kyi Maung finished the 4th grade, Ko Win Maung sent him to Pantanaw. Ma Kye did not want to separate him from his son because he was still young. But Ko Win Maung's older brother was there, so she convinced him. The sons worked hard, but Ma Kye Mon was lazy.

“It’s a girl, she needs to be skilled in housework, and my daughter doesn’t need to be educated,” Ma Kye said, but Ko Win Maung wanted his daughter to become a school teacher.

Ko Win Maung did not turn out as expected. Ma Kyaw Mon left school before she could complete her education and followed her husband. When the youngest, San Maung, reached high school, like his brothers, he was sent to his older brother, Ma U Bin, to be tutored by Ko Win Maung.

My eldest son, Kyi Maung, and Tin Maung have gone to university, and Kyi Maung is also in his final year of engineering.

Ma Kye sat under the blooming kankaw tree, remembering her daughter Kyaw Mon. Ko Win Maung was not as lively as before, and seemed to be hurt that his mother had followed her husband even more than he had.

Ko Win Maung came and sat down next to Ma Kye. Ma Kye was thinking about starting a conversation about her daughter. Just yesterday, Ko Than Aung, Ma U Bin's brother, had told U Aung Gyi that Ma Kyay Hmoon would be returned to her parents by her son, and that he should accept it. He said that if he became a mother, he would not want to return to his virginity after his daughter was born, but would rather accept the return of his daughter to her father. Ko Win Maung still didn't understand.

"Ko Win Maung"

Ko Win Maung didn't answer Ma Kye's call with his mouth, but with his eyes, it seemed like he was asking what was going on. Ma Kye briefly recounted what Ko Than Aung had said. Ko Win Maung didn't move. .

"Look up, Ko Win Maung," Ko Win Maung said, looking up.

“The kankaw tree that I planted when my daughter was born has already bloomed. The customers are already giving me the money because I can’t finish picking it. My daughter will take it when the time comes. It’s not wise for me to not plan to beg my parents and get it. U Aung Gyi and I know the man. Please accept it.”

"It's up to you, just watch."

Ko Win Maung stood up without saying anything. He was left staring at the swaying palm trees against the backdrop of the western sky.

After the Ma Kyaw Mon incident, Ko Win Maung fell asleep. I didn't think anyone would be so hurt.

The year my eldest son was to graduate, Ko Win Maung passed away. Ko Win Maung found out that my eldest son had received a degree, but he was unable to attend the graduation ceremony. Ma Kye also received her son's degree with tears in her eyes.