Nai was not like my other teachers.
They all had taught us to live with humility and respect but there was an edge present.
Here, in the 21st century, we all knew that feeling, that impulse to win and even devastate.
Even the hint of this thinking seemed to be totally absent in Nai.
"Do we not, in our heart of hearts, rejoice at the vanquishing of an enemy?" I asked him once,
thinking that he must admit it was true.
I pressed further. "Is that not part of our nature?
And in real war, is it nothing less than a celebration to bring down those who would destroy us?"
"We often do and it often is," he replied,
"but know this, young man—on the day of victory,
a wise warrior—mourns."
They all had taught us to live with humility and respect but there was an edge present.
Here, in the 21st century, we all knew that feeling, that impulse to win and even devastate.
Even the hint of this thinking seemed to be totally absent in Nai.
"Do we not, in our heart of hearts, rejoice at the vanquishing of an enemy?" I asked him once,
thinking that he must admit it was true.
I pressed further. "Is that not part of our nature?
And in real war, is it nothing less than a celebration to bring down those who would destroy us?"
"We often do and it often is," he replied,
"but know this, young man—on the day of victory,
a wise warrior—mourns."
Written Content G.A.M. cc
Thai Warrior Carla Mitchell
