Nkauj Nog Chapter 1

The color of the morning sky did not change much from its night counterpart.  The clouds appeared liked a herd of gigantic dark and angry elephants, readied to destroy anyone and anything in its path.  The wind blew turbulently at times, flaunting its prowess and forcing everything except the sturdiest object to bend before its greatness.  The heavens did not smile with its bright orange flames, but instead, wished to cry any minute.  It seemed as if the heavens was moved by the goodness of someone below, and pitied that person very much.

A woman, slender and graceful, stood patiently by the gate of a manor as if waiting for her husband.  Although there were loud cheers and laughter vibrating from inside the main courtyard, the woman’s face was pale and wet with tears.  She looked past the gate to the far distance, and then back at her abdomen.  She touched it and more tears flowed down her cheeks.  Her husband did not know that she was with child for a few months already.

“Nyab—Sister-in-Law!” a woman called from behind.

“Mab, it’s you,” the woman by the gate turned around and answered.

“Nyab, don’t shed anymore tears.  I too am saddened by what my brother has done to you, but no matter what, what has been done has already been done.  Whether anyone likes it or not, Luj Tuam is bringing his second wife home today.  Let’s just consider that this is your fate so the only thing you can do now is continue to be a good-hearted person who does the right thing.  One day, the sky will brighten and my brother will see your goodness.”

Nkauj Nog Prologue

            Once upon a time, the Miao lived in the fertile valley of the Yellow River.  Although majestic and grand, the river often flooded during the rainy season and swallowed many lives.  For some, the catastrophic circumstance was so intolerable that they were prompted to follow Txiv Yawg—Chiyou, to the northern land where they established the magnificent, technologically-advanced Kuj Cuab Cuaj Lig Ntuj—Juili Kingdom.  It was only after Txiv Yawg was defeated and lost his life at Lima Pass to the Yellow Emperor—Huangdi, that the Juili Miao crossed the river once more and returned south to reunite with their Miao relatives.

The Juili Miao soon discovered that their southern counterparts were scattered everywhere, dwelling a poor and backward lifestyle that lacked structure, leadership, and unity as a people.  They knew that in order to lead a life of comfort and prosperity, the Miao people must be organized into a civilization.  Thus, the Juili Miao became the leaders and applied Txiv Yawg’s innovative and profound principles of governorship, development, and solidarity to change the future of the Miao.  But the Miao homeland was impressive.  To reduce the daunting task of governing such an enormous country where some citizens may not even be aware of the existence of a monarch, the Miao leaders decided that it was wisest to divide the land into three kingdoms to better facilitate the process of ruling a people.  The western kingdom became known as Cuaj Zag—Nine Dragons; the middle kingdom was known as Lig Xia—Blue Li; and the eastern kingdom was termed Ntuj Kag—Clear Heavens.  So for a period of time this notion of governance flourished, and the three kingdoms existed peacefully and harmonically—prospering together.

But civilization and progress often lured attention, jealousy, and lust from neighbors.  Lingering in the northern land was the old nemesis of the Juili Miao—the Suav, descendants of the Yellow Emperor and his people.  Their population was booming but land became scarce.  When they heard of the prolific soil in the south, they gradually embarked on the journey south like large groups of infesting locusts and began to intrude and rob land away from the native inhabitants until they finally approached the northern border of the three kingdoms. 

Synopses of Stories I'm Working On

Nkauj Nog

This story is roughly-based on the original Hmong folktale, Nkauj Nog, but it does have many changes.

“It’s only the petals of the white jade plum blossoms fluttering like a thousand fireflies.  Why do you carry a red hemp umbrella during this March’s spring?” ~Nkauj Nog

“To shield us from the gentle breeze that if brushed past our faces, may forever change our fates.” ~Siv Meej

“It’s only the pearl rain that waters the Earth like diamonds from the heavens.  Why do you carry a red hemp umbrella during this November’s eve?” ~Siv Meej

“To shield us from the tender storm that if wet our hands, may forever alter our chances.” ~Nkauj Nog

“It is inside the red hemp umbrella that I shall find my destined mate.” ~Siv Meej

“It is inside the red hemp umbrella that I shall wait.” ~Nkauj Nog

 

During the golden ages of imperial rule in San Miao Kingdom, a wealthy salt businessman married two wives who each gave birth to a daughter.  The elder wife is as beautiful as she is kind, so her daughter, Nkauj Zuag, mirrors her mother in nature and beauty.  The younger wife is beautiful too, but not equal to the elder wife so she is always bitterly jealous and cold and cruel, and nurtures her daughter, Nrhee, to be the same way.  Determined to rid of the elder wife, the younger wife comes up with every possible trick to try to make her husband divorce his elder wife.  One day, the younger wife feigns sickness and her foolish husband is made to believe that only the sacrifice of a cow to his ancestors will cure her.  However, he and his elder wife are a few minutes late to the local market and all the cows were sold out.  Furious, the husband blames his elder wife for their ill-luck and chases her away.  Disappointed and sad, the elder wife runs away and soon discovers herself inside an enchanted forest.  Then from out of the blue, magical flowers begin to blossom twirling tall and slender white bamboo trees.  While she sits beside a pond with the moon’s reflection dancing in the water, the elder wife thought of her husband and wishes that if it was possible she is willing to trade her life for a cow’s.  Unbeknownst to the elder wife, her wish is granted by the magical flowers and she changes into a cow.  She leaves her daughter Nkauj Zuag to cry for her mother for many days, and leaves her prone to abuse from the younger wife.  Without a mother now, the town’s people pity the poor girl and everyone begins to call her Nkauj Nog (orphan girl).  No one seems to remember that she was once named Nkauj Zuag (hair-comb, the eponym of feminine beauty) by her mother.