============================================================== The following message was sent through [SJD] mailling list.... To reach everyone on this list send to sjd@satjadham.net ..... Do NOT include any other addresses when sending to the list... This message was sent by: SerMikey@aol.com ============================================================== The thought of his beautiful country and her people under the terrible rule of King Rama, upset and angered the gentle young prince. The council audience his father had sent him to and the conversation with his father that followed the audience had plunged the prince into a mood of despair. His mood was not improved when the chamberlain gently informed him of his father's death a few hours after they last spoke. Now nothing and no one stood between the young king and his terrible uncle. And now the continuation...... ------------------ King Rama was just beginning his trek towards the Northern Kingdom when news reached him of the old king's death. Rama was delighted that everything was working perfectly. All the kings of Laos were aware of his intentions and wouldn't dare interfere. Fresh messengers were dispatched to all the kings of Laos inviting them to join Rama's army as it passed through their countries. Rama's heralds informed the kings that they would be expected to attend the coronation of the young king of the Northern Kingdom and that Rama himself would crown his nephew. King Rama now intended to proclaim all the Lao kingdoms as allies of the Siamese Empire. The announcement would be made at the coronation. Suitable officers and soldiers would be sent to garrison each of the little kingdoms and begin the process of turning their farmers into soldiers. King Rama saw all his plans falling into place without the need for war. He would have an army capable of defeating China and the Lao Kingdoms would be his granaries, supplying his armies with everything they needed. It was a happy king indeed who led his mighty army north; each of the little nations the army passed through was expected to provide enough food for the mighty host. Indeed it was as if a great pestilence had passed through the peaceful little kingdoms. Huge areas were laid, bear granaries were emptied and many people would go hungry for many months. The kings of each of the kingdoms were expected to greet King Rama with joyous celebrations and fetes' giving him costly presents and honors. All the kings knew the penalty for ignoring Rama's requirements. None were prepared to anger the mighty king. In his palace the young king of the north waited with dread, a dread that grew with each passing day as more news of King Rama's progress reached him. His councilors all advised that he accept the situation and Rama's overlordship but the young king was well educated and wise for his years. He understood what Rama's rule would mean for his kingdom and all the other kingdoms of Laos. He could well imagine the terrible battles that his young men would be called on to fight. The death and destruction that kings such as Rama wrought for their own greater glory sickened the young king. Yet he had no army worth the name and his only general was a really nice old man whose favorite pastime was growing flowers. Suddenly as the young king sat looking out over his beautiful capitol he suffered two emotions that shocked and embarrassed him. The first was shame that his father and his other ancestors had allowed such a situation to develop. The second was the fear that he would see all that his people had built destroyed and his people enslaved. "No!" He screamed at the sky. "There has to be another way! Please, please show it to me." He prayed to all the gods. "Of course there's another way young man and please don't shout so. I may be old but I'm not deaf." The speaker was a very old man, his head was completely bald but he had a long thick white moustache and a big happy smile. The old man leaned on a long heavy wooden staff and the young king couldn't stop smiling when he looked at the old man. " Well Grandfather if you have a way for me to chase this Siamese Tiger from our land then please tell me." "I shall not chase him away my lord indeed when the time comes you may choose to invite him and his army to stay. But first listen to what I have to say." The young king spent many hours listening to the old man who told him many things of great wisdom but did not reveal any plan to defeat the armies of King Rama. Eventually the young king was forced to ask how such a miracle would be could be achieved. "Are you brave your majesty?" The old man asked. " I try to be." The king answered. " Good. Then when your uncle Rama tries to crown you refuse to kneel before him and I shall prevent him from harming you or your beautiful kingdom. First I must have your word that you will rule wisely as I have taught you this day." "You have my word Grandfather. I and my sons shall rule by your teachings and I will ask that you stay and guide us with your wisdom." "So it shall be my boy, I'll stay as long as I am welcome." "Thank you Grandfather." The young king bowed to the old man. For the next two days the young king saw no one but the old man, he received the reports of his uncle's progress and knew the Siamese army would soon pass into his kingdom. He issued commands that all the food was to be hidden in caves in the mountains and all the people were to hide deep in the forest. All things of value were to be buried. The royal council was in panic and they knew Rama would be furious if he finds no food, no young men for his army, no beautiful women for his soldiers and nothing of value to loot. The councilors tried to warn the King but he wouldn't listen. Reports said that Rama and his army were getting very close to the capitol and Rama was furious as the councilors had predicted. Finally the morning arrived when two heralds carried the Royal standard of Siam into the young kings throne room. The royal bodyguards who were followed by the royal princes of Siam followed them. At last, a chamberlain thudded a great staff on the floor and proclaimed, "His Royal Majesty Rama the 9th King of Siam." Everyone in the throne room bowed including all the kings' Rama had collected on his way to the Northern Kingdom. Rama strode into the chamber and was so pleased with the sight of so many people grovelling to him that he almost forgot all the complaints he had against his nephew. Then he saw that the young king was seated upon his throne and was showing no inclination towards grovelling. "I'll teach the proud young fool a thing or two," Rama thought. He strode to the throne, pointed at his nephew and said in a loud threatening voice. "Is it normal behavior for your people to deny their guest food and comfort and then be rude to them as well?" "Uncle, I am shocked that you would suggest such a thing. My subjects are famous for their generous hospitality and they are never rude to anyone." "Then why was my army denied food and comfort? Why do you a mere boy sit upon a royal throne while I Rama the Great Stand?" "The answer to your questions are simple uncle, my people have not denied their guest anything, neither you nor your army were invited to visit so you are not our guest. I sit upon this throne uncle because I am king here, I and I alone rule." ---------------- To be continued .... ***************************************************************** Check SatJaDham Homepage at http://www.satjadham.org ............ *****************************************************************