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Questions and Answers
What was the primary purpose of the procession led by Sii Sward?
What was the primary purpose of the procession led by Sii Sward?
- To impress the Queen of Rain for abundant life. (correct)
- To celebrate the arrival of summer.
- To gather the community for prayer.
- To display the talents of the dancers.
How did Sii Sward react to the events of the procession?
How did Sii Sward react to the events of the procession?
- She was indifferent to the celebrations.
- She interacted happily with the crowd.
- She danced joyfully with the crowd.
- She cried and sought to escape from the cage. (correct)
What symbolized the crowd's desperation for rain during the procession?
What symbolized the crowd's desperation for rain during the procession?
- The offerings of cakes and rice wine.
- The firing of big firecrackers.
- The use of sweet-smelling perfumes.
- The chanting of the Nang Maaw. (correct)
What was the overall atmosphere during the procession described in the passage?
What was the overall atmosphere during the procession described in the passage?
What did the traders pour onto Sii Sward, further intensifying her distress?
What did the traders pour onto Sii Sward, further intensifying her distress?
What did Sii Sward’s father suggest when the situation grew concerning?
What did Sii Sward’s father suggest when the situation grew concerning?
How did the participants in the procession behave after pouring perfume and water onto Sii Sward?
How did the participants in the procession behave after pouring perfume and water onto Sii Sward?
What did the men do with the cage after reaching the Vihara?
What did the men do with the cage after reaching the Vihara?
What event led to Sii Sward being elected the Rain Queen?
What event led to Sii Sward being elected the Rain Queen?
Where was Pratoomratha Zeng born?
Where was Pratoomratha Zeng born?
Which deity is associated with the rain in Brahmanism?
Which deity is associated with the rain in Brahmanism?
What was one of the main activities villagers engaged in during the drought?
What was one of the main activities villagers engaged in during the drought?
What was the state of the public well during the drought in 1925?
What was the state of the public well during the drought in 1925?
What role was Sii Sward, the cat, chosen for in the ceremony?
What role was Sii Sward, the cat, chosen for in the ceremony?
How did the narrator initially feel about Sii Sward being involved in the rain ceremony?
How did the narrator initially feel about Sii Sward being involved in the rain ceremony?
What kind of pet was Sii Sward?
What kind of pet was Sii Sward?
What was the purpose of the Nang Maaw ceremony?
What was the purpose of the Nang Maaw ceremony?
What was the father's approach towards the narrator's concerns about Sii Sward?
What was the father's approach towards the narrator's concerns about Sii Sward?
What attire did the women of the village wear during the ceremony?
What attire did the women of the village wear during the ceremony?
What was the condition of the river during the drought?
What was the condition of the river during the drought?
What did the narrator have to do during the ceremony?
What did the narrator have to do during the ceremony?
Why did the narrator compare the situation with the Chinese ritual of Trut-Chine?
Why did the narrator compare the situation with the Chinese ritual of Trut-Chine?
What was the purpose of the Nang Maaw ceremony?
What was the purpose of the Nang Maaw ceremony?
How did the villagers prepare for the Nang Maaw ceremony?
How did the villagers prepare for the Nang Maaw ceremony?
What does the Sword marking on the horse signify?
What does the Sword marking on the horse signify?
What was the initial perception of the gray colt by others at the auction?
What was the initial perception of the gray colt by others at the auction?
What was the main reason the narrator believed he could tame the horse?
What was the main reason the narrator believed he could tame the horse?
What was the father's opinion about the gray colt?
What was the father's opinion about the gray colt?
What did the narrator’s father promise him?
What did the narrator’s father promise him?
What was Sii Sward's condition during the storm?
What was Sii Sward's condition during the storm?
What did the farmers believe about Sii Sward after the rain?
What did the farmers believe about Sii Sward after the rain?
What aspect of the horse's physical condition did the narrator focus on?
What aspect of the horse's physical condition did the narrator focus on?
At what time did the heavy rain start?
At what time did the heavy rain start?
How did the narrator feel about the opinions of others regarding the horse?
How did the narrator feel about the opinions of others regarding the horse?
What is the significance of the father's actions in purchasing the colt?
What is the significance of the father's actions in purchasing the colt?
How did Sii Sward's presence affect the villagers?
How did Sii Sward's presence affect the villagers?
What did the wise old men warn about the horse?
What did the wise old men warn about the horse?
What type of weather followed the initial sound of thunder?
What type of weather followed the initial sound of thunder?
What did neighbors do while waiting for rain?
What did neighbors do while waiting for rain?
How did Sii Sward's actions impact her surroundings during the rain?
How did Sii Sward's actions impact her surroundings during the rain?
Study Notes
Pratoomratha Zeng
- Born in Ubol, Siam in 1918 and educated in Bangkok and New York University.
- Worked for the Siamese government and served as a translator for the U.S. Army during the war.
Sii Sward: The Siamese Cat
- Gifted to the author at the age of five, Sii Sward was known for her striking blue eyes and delicate dark brown fur.
- Sii Sward was elected the "Rain Queen" during a severe drought in 1925 when the village faced chaos and famine.
Drought and Rain Ceremony
- In 1925, the region experienced three months of drought, threatening agriculture and leading to animal deaths.
- Villagers prayed at the Buddhist temple for rain and performed the ancient Brahmo-Buddhist rain ceremony called Nang Maaw.
The Role of Varuna
- Varuna, the god of rain from Brahmanism and one of the oldest Vedic deities, must be pleased for rain to come.
- The ceremony involved electing Sii Sward as a representation of Varuna, highlighting the community's belief in folklore.
Sii Sward's Ceremony
- The ceremony involved colorful clothing, traditional dances, and a decorated bamboo cage for Sii Sward.
- During the procession, villagers offered rice wine and food, trying to impress the Rain Queen to invoke rain.
Challenges during the Ceremony
- Sii Sward became distressed throughout the loud and chaotic ceremony filled with chanting, firecrackers, and perfumes.
- Despite the commotion, villagers believed the performance would influence the goddess of rain positively.
Conclusion of the Ceremony
- Unable to bear the situation, the author secretly removed Sii Sward from the cage and took her home.
- Late that night, after the ceremony, a loud storm broke out, bringing rain that lasted for three days, saving the crops and the village.
Community Reverence
- Farmers attributed their saved crops to Sii Sward, viewing her as a heroine and engaging in rituals to honor her post-drought.
Manuel Buaken
- Born in the Philippines and educated in American universities before joining the First Filipino Infantry in 1943.
- The narrative presents themes of hope and belief in tradition, seen through the conflict over the perception of a difficult horse, paralleling the author’s challenges with Sii Sward.
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Description
This quiz explores the life of Pratoomratha Zeng, highlighting his early years in Siam, education in Bangkok and New York, and his role as a translator during the war. Discover key events that shaped his career and contributions to his homeland.
