书城传记聆听史诗丛书-格萨尔王传:英文
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第19章 Zhaotoin Casts Greedy Eyes ......(7)

“How can I be in high spirits? Choru has not yet made his great achievements. The people in Ling Garpo are still suffering from hardships and Cholmo is worrying and crying. Under such circumstances how can I enjoy these beautiful landscapes in a light mood?”

When he heard what Gormo had said, the Heavenly horse was not angry at all instead he grinned:

“Relax, Gormo. I will never return to the Heaven before Choru finishes his great undertakings. Since I have waited until today, I will surely wait to assist Choru with his great cause to enable the people to live a happy and peaceful life.”

“But what are you doing now?”

“Well, I have two purposes. First, I’m just having a joke with you; second, I would like you to have a glimpse of what the lands look like. Gormo, look! Just look!” These words were both sincere and meaningful.

Gormo was not afraid any more. She embraced the horse’s neck tightly and began to observe the lands they flew over, thinking about what the horse had said to her.

“Gormo, look, those are the four holy lands in the Southern Continent: The holy mountain of Grdhrakuta in India, the holy mountains of E’meishan and Wutaishan in the Han-inhabited land and the holy mountain of Gangdese in Tibet.”

“Now, look at the four holy mountains in Tibet. The mountain which looks like being wrapped in a cassock is Yarlhaxianbo in the Lhasa area; the one that looks like a hanging white silk curtain is the mountain of Nyangqentanglha in Darmo; the one like a crouching white lion is the mountain of Kunlharigyi in the south; the one like a striped-fur tiger cuddling cubs in her arms is the mountain of Wetkunggyi in the east.”

“How beautiful and majestic they are!” Gormo gasped with admiration. After she had come to the Ling area from the Dragon Palace she had not found even one chance to go out for a walk. Later when she and Choru were forced to lead a vagrant life they had never seen such magnificent places like these.

“The bleak and gloomy area in darkness and mist is the land occupied by the demons. Sharunamzoin, their castle, is located at the site which looks like an iron pickaxe and will be the place where Choru subdues all the demons and I will show my prowess.”

“The piece of land which looks like offerings made of zanba (roasted highland barley flour) is Parlozegyi, the area of King Bacham of Hor. This is where Cholmo will wander after being taken away by Bacham and it is also a place that will be conquered by Choru.”

“The Kayazu Mountain in the south is inhabited by the Dark Demon and Choru will also conquer it. After being reoccupied by us it will become a great centre for materials for making bows and arrows.”

“Over there is a lake called Poritoco, which looks like a dark sea with poisonous rolling waves. It belongs to King Sadain of the Chang area and is home to a variety of fish. When Choru defeats Sadain in the future the dark sea will change into waters of ideal happiness and the evil mountains will turn to treasure mountains.”

“Gormo, are you listening to me carefully?”

“Yes, I am. So, if there isn’t anything else you need to tell me, will you please bring me back home as soon as possible?” Gormo was worried about Choru and Cholmo. She wished she could go back right away!

“Be patient, Gormo, I still have a small request. I’d like Cholmo to make a eulogy about me, for no one knows me better than she does.”

“No problem. Cholmo is sure to chant a perfect eulogy for you.” Gormo promised again and again because she was afraid that the heavenly horse would go back to the heavenly palace once again.

Seeing that Gormo had acceded to his request, the Heavenly horse, Gyaingar Pebo, descended at once to the holy mountain of Wutainshan where Choru had been waiting for them for a long time — he knew the Heavenly horse would come. Choru just walked around the Heavenly horse gently three times without saying a word. In the blink of an eye, Gormo and Choru were brought by the animal back to the mountain of Pannai, where Cholmo was still looking up at the sky and waiting. Suddenly, Cholmo caught sight of Gormo and Choru on the back of the Heavenly horse. She was so overjoyed that she could not speak.

When Gormo saw Cholmo, she remembered the last request of the horse and said to the young lady:

“Cholmo, dearest, look at the Heavenly horse and please compose the best eulogy you can about it!”

Choru was fully aware that only Cholmo’s eulogy could make the Heavenly horse stay with him. So he could not wait any longer to ask Cholmo to extol the animal immediately. “Cholmo, my sister, this is the swift horse Gyaingar Pebo. You are a daughter of the Chalho family which possesses nine droves of fine horses and you are very familiar with the 30 noble horses in the Ling area. Please scrutinize my horse and see if it is comparable to those 30 noble steeds.”

Sengcham Cholmo, who was born into a family having nine herds of fine horses, surely knew how to judge a horse.

Cholmo had seen hundreds of magnificent horses, but she had never seen such a swift horse as Gyaingar Pebo. Even if mother Gormo and Choru did not seek her praise for the holy animal, she could not refrain from pronouncing the best eulogy on it:

“Of those 30 noble horses none can come up to you!

Even the horses of Tongtsan, Chashang, Sengta and Chatsa Shigar, in comparison with you, are not unusual;

Only you are the really swift horse!

You have a wild ox’s forehead, a frog’s eye socket,

a snake’s eyeballs, a white lion’s nostrils,

a tiger’s lips, a deer’s chin,

as well as a golden eagle’s feather.

The virtues of the seven kinds of animals are all found in you,

How can ordinary horses in Ling Garpo be on a par with you?

Your wings allow you to soar in the sky;

your hoofs help you to gallop on the ground;

your ears enable you to catch any sound from any direction;

your nose permits you to smell anything a thousand miles away.

Besides, you are able to speak and understand what humans say,

You are wise as to be able to distinguish between truth and lies.

Choru is bound to fulfil his great cause with your generous aid.

Heavenly horse, I swear I am telling you the truth.

Ling Garpo needs your help,