Little Spirit's Journey

Little Spirit's Journey U U Story@ Dr. Zar Ni Win

Once upon a time, there was a little spirit named Nat Pouk Si who was loved by every child in the village of Du Wae Wae. He loved helping the children learn and grow.

Around that time, villages near Du Wae Wae were affected by a disease. The villagers of Du Wae Wae asked Nat Pouk Si to help prevent the disease from spreading to their children.

Nat Pouk Si went off to think about what he could do to help the children. A rabbit named Phoe Shwe Yone saw Nat Pouk Si and asked, “What are you thinking about?” Nat Pouk Si replied, “I don’t know what to say to the children to help prevent the spread of the disease.”

Phoe Shwe Yone suggested, “Grandpa Ziwaka lives in the far north of the lush jungle. He is very wise. He will be able to tell you how to help the children stay healthy. You should go find Grandpa Ziwaka and ask for his advice.”

Nat Pouk Si started his journey to find Grandpa Ziwaka. Along the way, Nat Pouk Si met a banyan tree. He sat in its shade and asked, “Could you please show me the way to Grandpa Ziwaka?”

The banyan tree looked down and said, “Oh, you are a little spirit! You look hungry. Here, eat some fruit. Afterward, I will show you the way.” Nat Pouk Si had been so worried about helping the children and finding Grandpa Ziwaka that he had not eaten anything.

After eating the fruit from the banyan tree, Nat Pouk Si’s stomach was full and he felt much better. He went in the direction the banyan tree had shown him.When Nat Pouk Si came to a bridge, he asked for the way to Grandpa Ziwaka.

The bridge looked at Nat Pouk Si, who was covered in dirt, and said, “Please wash up in the stream. You have a long way to go to Grandpa Ziwaka and you must keep yourself clean. Then I will tell you the way.”

Nat Pouk Si was in a rush and didn’t want to bathe, but the children’s health depended on him. So he did as the bridge asked. He felt refreshed by the cool stream water.

As he walked along the path the bridge had shown him, he came upon a large, steep hill. Grandpa Ziwaka lived in the forest on the other side, so he asked the hill if there was another way around. “There is not,” the hill responded. “But after you climb to my top, you should rest and enjoy the view before continuing on your journey.”

The climb was long and difficult. But Nat Pouk Si was determined to make it over the top and help the children.

When Nat Pouk Si reached the top, the view was beautiful. Although he wanted to reach Grandpa Ziwaka, he decided to listen to the hill’s advice. He lay down and fell fast asleep.

Rested from his nap, Nat Pouk Si continued on the path and finally found Grandpa Ziwaka. Nat Pouk Si told him about everything that had happened on his journey. Then Nat Pouk Si asked, “How can I help the children stay safe from the disease?”

Grandpa Ziwaka replied, “To be healthy, children need to do everything you did on your way here. They need to have food with good nutrients, like the fruit the banyan tree gave you. They must wash their hands and stay clean, like how you took a bath in the stream near the bridge. And they need plenty of sleep, just like how you rested on the hill. They also need to stay active, like playing and running around, just like you did by walking all the way here. The last thing is love. The children need your love and the love of their families. These are the things that children need to stay healthy.”

Nat Pouk Si was excited to get back to the children and share with the village what he had learned about staying healthy from the disease. If the children and families follow the advice, they will help themselves stay healthy. Nat Pouk Si loved children. He was such a helpful spirit!

Questions 1. Why did Nat Pouk Si go to find Grandpa Ziwaka? 2. Which characters did Nat Pouk Si come across on the way to find Grandpa Ziwaka? 3. What did Grandpa Ziwaka say to Nat Pouk Si? 4. What can children do to stay healthy?