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| "A boy with a will so strong, it can never be bent.." |
THE IRON-WILLED FLAGBEARER
by Night Celestine
Once upon a time, there was a small village found in the highlands within the eastern part of the world. The people there are live a simple and peaceful life. They are very happy. No one has to beg on streets or steal. Never did they run out of food. They are not burdened by heavy taxes. Everbody are pleased.
But during those times, there also live a fearsome group of bandits who wander across the land and wreak havoc to villages around it. They are very mean, greedy and cruel. They bully those who are weaker than them. They take away everything from the villages: food, gold, animals and even lives of people.
One day, a young shepherd boy was far out from the village to tend the sheep. His name Kai Li. After leading his sheep to feed on the greener pastures, he sat down by a big stone nearby. There he could take a better view in guarding his sheep against attacking wolves.
Suddenly, as Kai Li looks at his sheep, he heard a thundering sound from a far. “What is that sound?” he said. He tried to follow the direction of the sound and looked upon his surroundings. Then, he noticed a cloud of dust from afar. Curiously, he tried to look more carefully. “It was a group of bandits! The village is in danger! I must tell them quickly!” he exclaimed. In fear for his village, he rushed toward the village, ahead his flock of sheep.
As he arrived inside the village, he cried out: “Bandits! There are bandits coming to our village!” Yet, nobody believed him, because he was only a boy. He tried to make his way to the house of the village chief. Yet the guards wouldn’t allow him to pass. “The village chief is too busy to hear from a young kid like you”, they said to him.
Kai Li felt disappointed. Nobody wants to pay attention from him. Nobody took heed of his warning. He loves his village and he couldn’t just stand to think that it will be destroyed by bandits. Kai Li is in tears. He should think of something. He should find a way.
Suddenly, his eyes passed in the village square. The village bell! Finally, he found his last hope. And so, he ran towards the bell. He held his wooden stick and proceeded to strike the bell loudly.
The people are surprised by the sound of the bell. Everybody from the village, started to gather in the village square. Everybody wants to know the reason why. The sound of the bell came to the ears of the village chief. He too, headed for the village square. There he saw Kai Li, striking the bell with his stick.
The village chief moved forward towards Kai Li’s direction. The village people, seeing the presence of their chief, moved aside to give way for him. Having caught the village chief’s attention, Kai Li stopped striking the bell.
Now the village chief asked Kai Li: “Young man, tell me...what made you do this action? I this a prank you play, you will not let off easily.”
To pay respect, Kai Li kneeled down in front him and apologized: “Please forgive me, Master. But, this is the only way that I can get your attention to a young boy like me.”
The village chief was astonished by the young boy’s answer. “Tell us then…”
Kai Li then answered: “There is a group of bandits heading this way in a large number. If we would not do something quickly, this village may end up in ruins.”
Everybody was struck by fear in their hearts because of what they’ve heard. The chieftain was surprised. Then, he looked at the crowd and shouted “Gather, all the men of this village! Prepare your weapons, because this day, we are going to fight for our village!” The men of the village then cried in reply, “For the village!”
During those times, it is important for an army to have a flagbearer. The flagbearer holds the flag which bears the army’s emblem. His role is to guard the battlefield and give signal on their enemies’ approach. A flag held upwards, means that the army must continue fighting. If it falls out of position, it symbolizes defeat and the army, must retreat.
So, all the men of the village, all armed, proceeded to the field of battle. All soldiers are in their assigned positions. Within the rocky parts below the highlands, there they waited the arrival of the dreaded enemy. The village army’s flagbearer stands in a high hill near the field of battle. Kai Li watches nearby.
The day has passed and it is already past night time. The village army is still on guard, yet, few of the soldiers are now feeling drowsy. Even the army’s flagbearer fell asleep. But Kai Li remained wide-eyed, awake and on watch. Until…
Out from the sky, an arrow flew down and struck the flagbearer dead on the spot. Kai Li was shocked. But he was more shocked of what he saw from the horizon. It was the enemy army! With the bandit army is rushing in front of them and the village army not ready, they will surely lose. Kai Li must warn them!
Kai Li then saw the army flag that fell out in the hands of the dead flag bearer. He took hold of it and waved it up high while shouting: “The enemy is approaching! The enemy is approaching in front of us!” Hearing this, the village soldiers got on their feet and prepared themselves in battle. Until the army chief commanded:
“CHARGE!”
The song of clashing swords. The banging sound of shields. The whirling sound of spears in the wind. Screams of pain and pious battlecries filled the air. The battle of the village army and the bandit army rages on. Kai Li, being the new flagbearer, holds with pride and courage, the army flag.
The battle continued on for days; defying the burning heat of the sun and the cold wind of the nights. Being a boy, Kai Li’s young body couldn’t stand the punishment. But the will of the boy’s young heart remained resilient. He still held the flag up high, keeping in mind what’s on stake. He is determined to keep it standing, even if it means losing his life.
The bandit army is getting tired and weary. The village army too, is starting to lose there strength. But seeing their flag waved up high, their will causes them to stand up and continue to fight with revived spirits.
Finally, the battle came to an end. The village army won the campaign against the bandits. Though it seems a losing battle, the village army surpassed the legion of bandits. With the bandit army defeated at last, peace remains once more across the land.
Looking far behind, the chieftain saw that the army flag is still standing.When he came up the highhill, he saw the flagbearer lying dead on the ground, with the brave Kai Li, holding the flag in his place.
The chieftain then held the young boy’s shoulder and said: “We owe you our victory. Because of you, the village is saved. Among my army of brave men, you are the bravest. Your will, your courage, your efforts…will be greatly rewarded. By the way, what is your name?”
Silence.
“Young man…do you hear me?” the chieftain asked him once more.
And still not a response. Only the sound of silence filled the atmosphere, with the strong gust of wind waving the flag, still held up high by the brave Kai Li: the iron-willed flagbearer.
- Story written by Night Celestine
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