Chit Oo Nyo - Nay Min La Min Thein Ya Taung

Chapter 1

The entire forest trembled with the sound of horses' hooves. The horses were exhausted after riding hard for more than fifty days. However, under the shouts of the horsemen and the tight grip of the reins, the horses galloped. The leaves of the trees that were scattered in the forest fell in pieces as the cavalry passed by.

The continuous sound of the horses' hooves seemed to make the branches of the tree tremble. Fifty miles... The distance traveled was only fifty miles. There were seventy miles more to go. Not even half the journey. More than half the journey to the capital of Hanthawaddy.

The one leading the cavalry was Prince Sumana. The young prince had a lively expression on his face. He did not show any signs of fatigue. The thousand commanders and ministers who followed him were even more lively when they saw the enthusiasm of their lord, Prince Sumana.

After crossing a ravine, they suddenly saw a cave camp a short distance ahead. Prince Sumana eased his horse's reins. During the entire fifty-plus-yuzana journey, they had only rested briefly twice. It was not a bad thing for the energetic people on horseback, but the horses were tired. They would have to take their time and rest at this cave camp.

Although it is called a rock cave camp, it is not just a rock. There is a small waterfall, a small stream flowing through the rocks, a dark and clear lake, lush green grass and shady trees around the lake, and large rock mats where you can lie down comfortably.

Prince Sumana took out a trumpet, which was decorated with golden flowers, and blew it twice. The sound of the trumpet meant that we would stop here for a while. All the horsemen stopped. The horses also neighed in the cool breeze.

Indeed, the decision to stop here was not solely based on the horses' tiredness, thought Prince Sumana. It was true that the horses needed to be rested. There was another reason. With only seventy leagues left in the journey, there was still something uncertain.

He will arrive at Hanthawaddy, the capital city, around midnight the next day. His father, King Ananda, and his mother, Queen Sujata, will greet him with a grand ceremony from Hanthawaddy, the capital city. All the people of Naypyidaw will welcome their victorious son, Sumana, with great enthusiasm.

As is the custom of rewarding victors, His Majesty the King will honor him with great honors and rewards.

"My son, I ask for the reward you want," said the king, "and the king will surely grant it." The reward you want... What kind of reward should I ask for?

As a son of the king, he had the right to rule a large city. He did not live comfortably in the shadow of Nay Pyi Taw like other sons of kings. His father, the king himself, did not leave him without responsibility, saying that he would inherit the throne when the time came, as his son. He appointed him as the governor of a city one hundred and twenty miles from Hanthawaddy, and made him personally acquainted with the affairs of the country.

He has also been able to practically work on tax and treasury matters, judicial matters, and the happiness and peace of the people of the region and the country. Finally, he has even handled the most difficult and complicated issue of national affairs, "military affairs."

Prince Sumana had successfully defeated the rebels in the remote areas of the Pishantari. “The region is peaceful and prosperous. The rebels have been completely defeated,” he sent a message to his father. Immediately, a message came back from his father. “I am very pleased. Please let my son come to you quickly.”

Prince Sumana sat on a white rock by the lake, bathing his white horse.

"I was thinking of asking for two fields. Two fields and a cow would be enough. I came from a farming background, so I focused on the fields and the land."

"That's just for sale, I'd rather have a ruby ​​ring. Oh, no... I don't want it. The lady of the house has been saying for a long time that she wants to wear rubies. At a time like this, when the war is won, the king will surely allow us to ask for a reward along with his son."

"I am a young man, I have no wife..... Heh.. Heh, I would like to ask for a beautiful girl from the Golden Palace... The reward for a good hero is a beautiful woman, that's the principle... Heh... Heh"

Prince Sumana smiled. These thousand military leaders who fought fearlessly with the gods and monsters on the battlefield were really young. At this time, they were about to be honored as soldiers who had entered the victorious kingdom, and they were freely expressing their wishes and laughing happily.

They are choosing, with their own imagination, the rewards they will demand from their father, the King.

As he listened to the faint laughter and conversation of the soldiers and ministers, Prince Sumana smiled and thought of something. A thought he had vaguely thought on the way before reaching this cave camp. Something that had not yet been clearly defined throughout the seventy-year journey.

The ministers and soldiers, referring to their imaginations, were discussing among themselves the rewards they would receive from the king. As for themselves, what reward should they ask for?

When the Father asks for permission, "Ask for whatever you want, my son," what gift should he ask for?

He is the son of the king. He is the heir to the throne. There is no need to ask for the throne. According to the legend, one day the white throne of Hanthawaddy will come to him.

So what should I ask for, gold, silver, and jewels, elephants, chariots, districts, hamlets, and cities...? Prince Sumana imagined the rewards he would receive.

Gold, silver, and the seven jewels... How much more will your life become by wearing and using these things? How much more will your glory increase by owning elephants, horses, and chariots? How much more will your wealth and honor increase by owning and taxing these things? How much more will the food at your table become delicious and special?

It's confusing in my mind. The grandeur that comes with owning those things... What is grandeur? How much happiness can these things bring? Can the seven jewels bring happiness? Can elephants, chariots, villages, districts, and tax collectors bring happiness?

The son of Sumana had enjoyed great wealth and prosperity. In his life as a king, he had issued orders and powers with just a word or a gesture, causing everything to happen.

The happiness and fulfillment that come with possessing these riches are fleeting and the accompanying feelings are heartbreaking.

We worry that these things will diminish, we worry that they will be lost, we worry that they will be destroyed, we worry that they will be destroyed and destroyed, we worry that we will be tired of the old and long for the new, and we worry that we will lose them again when we get the new.

"Oh... what should I ask for... what should I want?"

Prince Sumana's thoughts began to swirl and swirl with the sound of the water splashing and foaming from the bottom of the cascading waterfall.

"What shall I ask of the Father..."

Prince Sumana summoned some of the more mature members, some younger and some older, from among the thousand military commanders. They were also more capable of showing their heart than their arms.

"You all know that Father is very pleased with me because I have completely defeated the rebels and brought me to Nay Pyi Taw. Now the journey is half over. I will soon reach Nay Pyi Taw. When I arrive, when I appear before Father, Father will surely grant me permission to ask for whatever I want."

The ministers listened quietly and intently. Prince Sumana continued speaking in a more serious voice.

"I have a dilemma. It is as simple as it is mysterious. A question keeps beating in my heart. But the answer is not forthcoming."

Prince Sumana stood outside the stone mat. The sun's rays reflected off the surface of the lake, framing his handsome body with bright lines.

"The reason why there is no answer is, well, I have tried to reveal the answers one by one. None of them have satisfied me. So, I will pass on the question that has been bothering me to you, brothers, so that you can answer it."

Everyone was agitated as if a battle was about to begin. They were listening intently.

"When the father king tells me to ask for whatever reward I want, what reward should I ask for?"

After a brief silence, a muffled murmur of voices emerged. Then, after silence again, a voice emerged.

“The names of the kings always belong to the White Elephant Jewel, my lord. You should claim the White Elephant Jewel along with the Black Elephants. You should also take the title of Lord of the White Elephant.”

The prince remained motionless. Then one of the ministers spoke again.

“Your Majesty is an unparalleled horseman and rider. The only thing that matches your strength and is truly valuable is a horse. May you acquire the best horses in all of Hanthawaddy, Nay Pyi Taw.”

"Not yet, gentlemen. Elephants and horses are rewards that come naturally, without having to beg for them."

A slightly older MP said. He continued with enthusiasm.

"Our Lord Sumana Kumara is still only a city lord by rank. The Buddha certainly wants his son to enjoy the benefits of the war. Now is a good time for the giver and the taker to agree. Therefore, outside the city that we currently have, we should ask for more large territories, hamlets, and towns."

Prince Sumana only shook his head at that moment. The minister, who had been so eager to speak, also bowed his head.

"It is called a treasure because it causes love and affection."

Another voice came out again.

“Owning and wearing jewels increases one’s glory. It makes one’s body bright and clear. It also fulfills all desires. Therefore, it is fitting to ask for the seven jewels as a reward, my lord.”

The sound of the waterfall's cascading water seemed to mock the gathering. Prince Sumana headed towards the cave.