Semetei, Son of Manas, Inflicts Punishment on Traitors and Succeeds to Throne of His Father
In the wake of the death of Manas, his good-natured and competent wife held an honorable funeral service for him near the imposing mausoleum after mobilizing all the nationality’s forces. The generous-minded princess good at handling affairs in a decisive and considerate manner won high praises from all walks of life.
When all the family members of Manas and all the Kyrgyz tribesmen were deep in the sorrow caused by the death of the wise and brave monarch, a terrific plot hidden in the family of the paramount leader began to loom.
Jakip, the father of Manas Khan, did not show up in the funeral of the national hero. The kind-hearted persons did not consider Jakip as an appealingly odd person. Instead, Jakip, in their eyes, might have fallen ill due to the death of his three sons during the period of expedition. As a result, average persons showed great sympathy towards the old man and prayed for him.
However, Jakip did not feel sad for the death of his son at all. He was masterminding an inhumane plot.
Less than ten days after the death of Manas, Jakip forced the wife of Manas to remarry as soon as possible. Princess Kanikei turned down such an unreasonable order. In these critical situations, Jakip, his other two sons
Legend of Manas
and a bunch of bully-boys stormed into the imperial palace snatching all the valuable articles. What was worse, he ordered his bully-boys to smash all the pieces that could not be taken away. He captured all the houses of his son, robbing the princess of all the livestock. What was worse, he killed the orphan who was disguised as his grandson before.
With the help of Bakai, the widow of Manas left for the place of Zaretaz to meet her son at night. Finally, the princess went back to the palace of Kara Khan for shelter together with Chiyirdi and Semetei.
After the incident, the state of Kyrgyz people was under the control of Jakip and his two wicked sons once again. The lives of ordinary Kyrgyz people started to be filled with untold suffering.
The princess led a hard life while trying her best to raise her son. Ten years later, Semetei had become a handsome youngster who lived a carefree life all day long. Every day he was preoccupied with practising martial arts.
After going back from a hunting spree on the mountains on one day, Semetei was in low spirits and his face showed a melancholy look. Soon he was fast asleep in the following three days without eating and drinking anything. His mother was unable to wake him up, worrying about such a sudden change of his son. The young man’s grandmother also wept bitter tears of anxiety.
The widow of Manas had no choice but to ask Kara Khan for help.
However, the young man lay on the bed with a haggard look.
Kara Khan, maternal grandfather of Semetei,pat the young man on the shoulder gently, saying: “My dear boy, what’s going on with you? Please don’t let your mother worry about you!”
No sooner had Semetei heard the word of “mother” then he turned over and stood up from the bed. He knelt down before all these elder family members and wept the tears of saddness. “I really want to know who you are. How can I believe that I am an orphan? Please let me know,” he cried in a loud voice.
“My dear child, just stand up and listen carefully. I think you have become a grown-up. So we don’t have to withhold the truth any more,” Kara Khan said, holding back his tears. At that time, all the people surrounding Semetei wept buckets. “Kanikei is not your elder sister. Instead she is your mother. Your father is Manas, the wise and brave khan of Kyrgyz people. Chiyirdi is your grandmother and I am your maternal grandfather. Your family is of great glory and misfortune. Many people saved your life before but you also have
Semetei, Son of Manas, Inflicts Punishment on Traitors and
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Succeeds to Throne of His Father
absolutely irreconcilable foes. Please keep in mind that your grandmother narrowly escaped the danger and took you into my place. Just hold on whatever difficulties you might run into, my little boy. I hope you will become a hero like your father,” Kara Khan said.
Princess Kanikei held his son in arms tightly. She held back her tears, recounting the history of Manas and his family:
“Semetei, my little colt!
You are a descendant of Kyrgyz Khan.
And you are the only son of Manas Khan.
Your home is situated in a vast expanse of grassland called Talas,
Your father is the best-known khan called Manas.
The boundless territory you own is called Kenkol,
And you are the genuine master of Talas.
Semetei, my little camel!
You have two uncles called Aweekei and Kobesh.
And your grandfather is named Jakip.
You have a heartbroken grandmother and a poor mother.
You have a large number of subjects living in Kenkol.
Semetei, my little eagle!
Your grandfather whipped me and drove me away from the palace
Just because I did not agree to marry your uncle.
They robbed us of all our livestock and assets.
And they destroyed the palace which was established for us by your father.
Semetei, my ewe lamb!
They believe in an age-old saying,
Which goes that one mustn’t cut a tuft of grass only, but must uproot it.
They tried to kill you following the death of your father.
The child adopted by Zaretaz lost his life for the sake of you.
In order to keep you from hurt,
We had to take you to your maternal grandfather’s palace.
Legend of Manas
Semetei, my lion cub!
The fellow countrymen in the home village are living in a miserable life.
They are longing for your return for the purpose of liberation.
You have become a hero of indomitable spirit.
As a son of Manas Khan,
All of you belong to people!
Today I don’t withhold the truth before you.
I wish you’ll seize back the throne and save the people from brutal oppression!”