Semetei nodded from time to time as his mother elaborated the splendid history of his family and the miseries they had ever suffered. In addition, she recapitulated Manas’ whole life bathed in glory. Finally, she made a comprehensive analysis on the would-be difficulties and obstruction after his return to the home village with the help of her superb ability of foretelling the future. Semetei kept in mind all the datails of his mother’s narrative.
The princess’ clear narration of the family’s sufferings got the youngster to develop the intense hatred towards his sinful grandfather and two uncles. As a result, Semetei determined to set off on his trip at once so as to severely punish the traitors who had usurped the throne in revenge for the miseries suffered by ordianry people, his grandmother and his mother.
Kara Khan also prepared the horse, weapons and coat armor for Semetei.
The twelve-year-old child had to face the crafty knaves after going back home alone. It was a test of life and death. As a kind-hearted mother, Kanikei was quite worried about the possible dangers that his son might encounter. As a result, she wept buckets in deep sorrow. She said to his son:
“Semetei, my little star.
You still have not the least knowledge of the world.
You have not gone far yet up to now,
Let alone participated in a single war!
Your coat armor has not worn out yet.
Not a single battle steed has died of utter exhaustion for you yet.
You have not known how brutal your enemies are.
You have not stood the test of a dreadful war!
Semetei, Son of Manas, Inflicts Punishment on Traitors and
91
Succeeds to Throne of His Father
I have collected wealth for you
Even before the birth of you!
I have selected battle steeds for you
Even when you are a toddler!
Only if you act according to my arrangements,
You will make it finally!
I hope your father’s soul will bless you.
I hope you will be in the company of Allah!”
Kara Khan and his two younger brothers also saw the young hero off.
Shortly before parting from his beloved son, Kanikei rushed to the young hero and said:
“Semetei, my ewe lamb!
When you go home this time,
A person will wait for you by the roadside.
He is waiting for you as if he is waiting for the light of stars and the moon at night.
He is supposed to prop up your great cause for the lifetime.
He is the old friend and senior assistant of your father.
The 90-year-old wise man is Bakai.
You had better go to see him first of all.
He is supposed to help you with your campaign against traitors.
You will not make it without his help.
My child, keep in mind that you are not allowed to be be wayward, petulant, and disagreeable!
If you act alone without the help of Bakai,
You will suffer a great disaster.
If you do not seek the help from Bakai,
You will probably lose your life easily.
Please remember that you are the only son of Manas Khan and me.
If Bakai does not stand by the roadside,
Legend of Manas
You ought to stop right there at once.
These are the remarks made by a mother weeping tears of sorrow.
So you should keep them in mind for ever.
My child, just go ahead. I am waiting for your triumphant return.”
The widow of Manas kissed her son for many times before parting with him.
The young hero rode his battle steed and headed eastward. He spent more than forty days climbing a number of mountains and traversing a number of rivers. He and his battle steed left the vast desert, deep valleys and snow-capped mountains far behind before they reached the grassland called Kenkol. The young hero was not in the mood to enjoy the tantalizing landscape. Instead, he keep his mother’s suggestions in mind and tried his best to fulfill the goal of revenge. The young hero was moved to tears when he got to the ranch where his father once lived, herded the livestock and held such events as horse racing, lamb tussling and wrestling.
Moreover, he found out the gold hitching post left by his father according to his mother’s instructions. It is the first time that he saw an object left behind by his deceased father. He knelt down before the gold hitching post covered with a thick layer of dust. He then used his sleeves to scrub it, praying to be supported and blessed by his dead father’s soul. All of a sudden, the hitching post sent off rays of golden light.
Such a phenomenal sight struck the chord with his heart all at once. Semetei mounted his horse which galloped at the full speed around the lake. In the meantime, he chanted the slogan of “Manas, Manas, Manas!”
However, the young hero with a sort of conceited independence was out of his bearings soon while galloping in the boundless grassland. He could not indicate the right directions at sunset. However, a ray of golden light from afar got him to keep calm again. It occurred to him that the object sending out golden light must be the hitching post of his father. As a result, he and his horse went on to head for the hitching post instantly. As they came to a halt before the hitching post, a white hound barked and rushed to them. In no time, the young hero recognized that it was his father’s beloved canine. He asked the faithful dog to help him find Bakai. As the hound heard the young hero’s words, it became as meek as a lamb and began to wag its tail with pleasure. Led by the hound, Semetei and his horse headed for Talas swiftly.
Legend of Manas
