If You Want to See My Mind

Once upon a time, there was a vast forest inhabited by all sorts of creatures. This great forest lay beside an ocean. The ocean had beautiful beaches, as well as high, deep cliffs. Within the forest, there were tall, thick trees in abundance, along with diverse species of small flowering plants. There were flower gardens and also lush, green meadows. It was a forest where many kinds of wild animals lived.
Humans call them “wild animals,” but they lived among their own kind and in their own groups, yet they also co-existed and cooperated with those of different species and groups. I never heard of any problems arising. As far as I could observe, I didn’t see or hear of any instances of seriously bad or malicious behaviour.
Just look now! They were celebrating the anniversary of their arrival and communal living in this forest: the three hundred and thirty-three thousand, three hundred and thirty-third-year celebration. Seizing the opportunity to observe, I went to their playground. It was amazing! The variety of animal species was complete. The types of sports and games were also diverse. With competitions for land animals on the ground, aquatic animals in the water, and birds in the sky, the array of events was truly varied. The roar of cheering, shouting, and yelling from the diverse audience was deafening — it could be heard even high up in the sky. Since I was there to observe, I made sure to look everywhere. If I were to tell you everything I saw, I don’t think I’d be finished in a month or two.
Ah, but the place I’ve reached now has captured my interest.
It’s the running track. The racecourse is so sophisticated! The grandstand has three tiered levels with circuits. The chief referee is Mr Owl, and the assistant referees are Mr Deer and Ms Horse. I love it — Mr Owl is famous for his impartiality. Mr Deer and Ms Horse are the most expert in supervising running races.
Since there was still time, I sat in the grandstand and waited. A moment later, they announced there would only be two contestants in the race. As soon as I heard the loud voice of Mr Elephant, the Master of Ceremonies, I suddenly felt like leaving. Just look at the competitors! Mr Rabbit, the champion, and Mr Tortoise, a rookie. That’s why I wanted to leave! Are those two really competitors? Are they in the same class? Besides, the race between Mr Rabbit and
Mr Tortoise is an ancient story I’ve known since I was a child, and Mr Tortoise won that one. He’s going to win this one, too. I already know the outcome!
I realized that saying that brought up a lot of things to think about. The standard expectation is that in a race between Mr Rabbit and Mr Tortoise, Mr Rabbit is quick, fast, and a mature runner. Mr Tortoise, on the other hand, is sluggish, barely budging, and moves so slowly that one step is worth a million kuta (a traditional unit for very large numbers). So, Mr Rabbit should win the race. However, in the folktale, Mr Rabbit loses and Mr Tortoise wins. That story offered many things to consider, contemplate, learn, and remember. Countless people in the world gained wisdom from that bedtime story, leading to success through effort. So now, I felt an intense desire to wait and see what kind of wisdom this present race between Mr Rabbit and Mr Tortoise might offer.
My thoughts drifted. I lost track of time. When I finally came back to my senses, I heard Ms Horse, the assistant referee, give the count, “One, two, three,” followed immediately by the starting signal, “RUN!”
As soon as the race began, Mr Rabbit bounded and leapt, immediately shooting toward the finish line — he was a blur! Mr Tortoise, as expected, was just moving, moving, moving, slowly creeping forward. It was hard to tell if he was even running or just walking. Mr Deer, the assistant referee, was running alongside the track, monitoring the runners’ progress. Mr Owl, the chief referee, had flown up into the sky at the finish line, waiting to watch the runner cross. I knew in advance that this race would be one-sided. Since Mr Rabbit was fast, he would surely win.
Wait, he’s doing it again! Mr Rabbit was running, running, and then, halfway down the track, he stopped, as if waiting for Mr Tortoise. Was Mr Rabbit looking down on Mr Tortoise? Did he want to wait until the little Tortoise got close, then run again just to mock and tease him? What was he thinking about when he stopped?
Watching and waiting made me so sleepy. I figured I could catch a nap and still watch the race, so I fell asleep right there in the stands. When I woke up and looked, Mr Rabbit was still asleep halfway down the track! I looked around for Mr Tortoise, who had dared to enter the race with such composure, and lo and behold! He was only about a yard from the finish line! I was utterly astonished! Just as I was watching, Mr Tortoise crossed the finish line! The sound of the audience’s applause was so loud it was nearly deafening.
That tremendous roar of cheering and commotion woke Mr Rabbit up. The instant he woke, he dashed for the finish line. He was so incredibly fast, a true blur! He displayed all his ability, but it was too late. He had become the rabbit from the folktale. He was experiencing the regrets that come too late. I was so tempted to rush down from the grandstand and tell the young Rabbit all the wisdom and knowledge I had gained from listening to that story!
The entire audience suddenly grew silent. I wondered what was happening. I quieted down, too. I couldn’t stand it, so I quietly whispered a question to Ms Pig next to me. She told me it was their custom to allow the loser up to two attempts at a rematch if they wished for one.
Look! They’re going to race again!
They all took their positions. The runners were at the starting line, behind the tape. The referees had also taken their spots, as usual. As soon as the signal came and the command to “RUN!” was given, both of them took off. This time, Mr Rabbit didn’t stop halfway; he kept running straight for the finish line. That’s good. He is a skilled runner, mature and experienced. His loss in the first round must have been due to carelessness alone. It also seems he may have been a bit dismissive of his competitor. It’s human nature to want to see the loser win, isn’t it? And it’s also human nature to pity the underdog.
I did feel a pang of sympathy for the weaker runner, Mr Tortoise, and wanted to see him win. So, when I looked at Mr Tortoise, I was pleased to see him continue to run steadily, if sluggishly, like he was rolling along. When I looked back at Mr Rabbit, he was already close to the finish line, maybe just three or four jumps away. Wait, now it’s two jumps, and now just one jump left!
My attention and eyes are back on Mr Tortoise now. He’s just moving slowly, as is his habit. It looks like the race is over. Mr Rabbit only had one jump left to the finish line; he must have crossed it by now.
But wait, I haven’t heard the crowd cheering for a finish yet. I looked toward the finish line, and there he was, the noble gentleman, fast asleep, perfectly at ease! Mr Tortoise, meanwhile, was running step by step, steadily moving forward, like the proverb says: “A Lhan a day, Bagan won’t move” (meaning steady progress). Look! Mr Tortoise has reached the spot where the Rabbit is sleeping, and Mr Rabbit still isn’t waking up! It was so frustrating! I wanted to shout and wake him up so he could get up and cross the finish line! What should I do? Oh, look, look! Just like that, Mr Tortoise crossed the finish line!
Mr Rabbit had lost again this time. Was he just lazy? Or did he want to tease, mock, or jeer at the approaching Tortoise right before the finish line? Did he lose the race because he couldn’t shake that habit? Seeing him lose when he clearly had the ability was incredibly exasperating for me as a spectator, but he seemed perfectly calm about it. And look! He’s going to race a third time! He certainly knows how to take advantage of the opportunity he’s been given.
I was only watching this third race because I had already invested the time; I had no enthusiasm or desire to watch it anymore. The referees were in their places. The race was about to start. Ko Shwe Yone (Mr Golden Rabbit) didn’t lose face, nor did he look ashamed. But the audience was yelling at him, shouting that he’d lose again, asking if he wasn’t ashamed, and telling him to get out and not compete. The commotion was deafening! Yet, he wasn’t ashamed; he just stood there with a straight face, as if mocking the audience.
They started running. As usual, Ko Shwe Yone (Mr Golden Rabbit) shot off in a flash the moment the race started. Ko Shwe Lait (Mr Golden Tortoise) was his usual steady self. Although I wasn’t interested and didn’t want to look, I couldn’t help but see them — Mr Rabbit and Mr Tortoise were miles apart. Look, Ko Shwe Yone (Mr Golden Rabbit) is getting close to the finish line! Look, he leapt across the finish line! He’s at the end! He won!
The entire race track erupted with cheers and applause! I was watching without interest, yet I don’t know how I started yelling and clapping myself. I only stopped when the palms of my left and right hands started to hurt. Even then, I still wanted to keep clapping!
The reason this happened isn’t because I love Mr Rabbit more than Mr Tortoise. No. Is it because I want the one who keeps losing to win? That might be part of it, but mostly, I think it’s because I was frustrated with someone who possessed full ability and capacity but failed to use it. Seeing him finally put his skills to full use made me feel satisfied.
Oh, the Master of Ceremonies is announcing something! The loser, Mr Tortoise, has requested another race! If things stay the same, Mr Tortoise will lose, and Mr Rabbit will win again. There’s no point watching this race again; the outcome is known before it even starts. The audience is getting restless — not exactly a panic, but definitely murmuring. What’s going
on? I hear the announcement. The loser, Mr Tortoise, will run another race. However, he is requesting to “change the racecourse!” Therefore, the audience is kindly requested to follow and support them on the new track.
Now I’m interested! I’m interested in the new venue, and I’m interested in Mr Tortoise’s idea to change the track. It makes sense, doesn’t it? You should avoid the place where you’ve lost or are likely to lose, and you should move to a place where you can win. Intelligent beings know what is suitable and what isn’t for them.
Where else could there be a sports field? The entire audience is intrigued by the new location. Once the Master of Ceremonies officially announced the new itinerary, the audience started moving in groups, following their own crowds, heading toward the ocean. Some branched off, going down to the seashore, while others climbed up toward the towering cliffs beside the sea. The starting line for the race was set three feet back from the edge of the tall cliff, facing the ocean. The finish line was marked by a pole stuck into the water at the edge of the sea. I was astonished! Astonished by the civility of their law that allowed the choice of a new racecourse, and astonished by the one who made the choice!
The race was set up as usual. With the signal to “RUN!” Mr Tortoise slowly advanced to the edge of the cliff. When he reached the very end, he pulled his head, arms, and legs into his shell and let his body roll down the cliff face, which was over three hundred feet high, all the way to the ground at the water’s edge. Just imagine! I can’t say if it was wisdom or sheer cunning, but Mr Tortoise reached the finish line almost instantly!
Look at Mr Rabbit now! The moment the signal was given to run, instead of running, he had to search for a route first. He couldn’t run the way Mr Tortoise did, and he couldn’t jump off the cliff. He had to quickly backtrack down the path he came up and around toward the finish line by the sea. By the time he arrived, Mr Tortoise would have crossed the finish line and perhaps even finished a nap if he felt like it.
Four races have now been completed. Mr Tortoise has won three times, and Mr Rabbit has won once. Based on this, the winner’s award ceremony should be held for Mr Tortoise. It seems the officials are about to prepare for the awards; they’re all moving around, shuffling about, and bustling with activity.
However, the way they’re acting suggests it’s not going to be like that; something is different. After the race officials huddled together for a consultation, the distinct voice of the Master of Ceremonies rang out clearly: “We will hold one more race! The starting line for this race is the seashore, and the finish line is the nearest island, “Mid-Ocean Island”!
The criticism, blame, and know-it-all voices immediately erupted into a great clamour: “Who asked for another race?” “Mr Rabbit is just going to lose again; how can he possibly swim in the sea?” “Mr Tortoise shouldn’t have asked again; he already won! Is he just trying to humiliate Mr Rabbit?” “The officials shouldn’t allow this again! They must have been bribed!” The noise was absolutely deafening.
Oh, well, that’s just how most of the audience is! No matter the place, the community, or the group, how many people speak, criticize, and act as if their own opinion is the only correct one? If Mr Tortoise, who has already won, really did ask for another race, there had to be something special behind it. It’s best to just wait and watch without opening your mouth. It’s true, though, the format of this race seems absurd. Look, Mr Rabbit and Mr Tortoise are standing ready at the seashore to run, and the finish line is “Mid-Ocean Island” in the middle of the water. Look at Mr Rabbit’s face — a tamarind leaf would be bigger than his expression of dejection!
The signal was given, “RUN!” and they took off. Mr Tortoise immediately went into the water and dove under, while Mr Rabbit could do nothing but watch with a long face. The tortoise that dove into the water was completely out of sight.
One minute, two minutes, three minutes went by — gradually it became about fifteen minutes. Some spectators were looking intently to see how far Ko Shwe Lait (Mr Golden Tortoise) had travelled towards the island, but there were also many others with expressions that showed a complete lack of interest in the race. Fifteen minutes passed. Mr Tortoise was completely gone, like the small tortoise that was thrown into the water in a folk tale; he didn’t reappear. The viewers were getting exhausted from the long wait.
Wait! Mr Tortoise has surfaced! Everyone thought he would surface near the island, maybe four or five hundred feet away. But when he did surface, it was right back at the shoreline! What could he be planning now?
Surfacing in the water, Mr Tortoise called out, “Hey, Mr Rabbit, what are you looking at? Come on, get on my back! Let’s go to Mid-Ocean Island together!” Only then did Ko Shwe Yone (Mr Golden Rabbit) jump onto Ko Shwe Lait – Mr Golden Tortoise’s back with a big smile on his face, and away they went!
Thousands of spectators stared at the scene, utterly captivated. They were astonished, delighted, and overjoyed. At that moment, the immense crowd’s silence was so deep you could have heard a pin drop. It lasted for only an instant. Then, the sound of the entire audience clapping, without opening their mouths to shout, swelled up to the heavens. There wasn’t a single trace, not a particle, not a drop of the sound of cheering for one person winning over the other.
Instead, the thunderous applause — clapping from the hearts of the spectators — not only reached the heavens but resounded across the entire universe. This applause continued to echo, undiminished and constant, even after Mr Tortoise and Mr Rabbit reached Mid-Ocean Island and vanished from sight.
Once they arrived at Mid-Ocean Island, Mr Tortoise, as the host, began showing Mr Rabbit, the guest, all over the island. He led the way, pointing out rock formations, stone flowers, and scenic views that Mr Rabbit had never seen, talking excitedly about how peaceful and beautiful everything was.
After a long time, Mr Tortoise looked up at Mr Rabbit, who had been following in silence without a single comment or reaction, and finally had to ask, “Hey, Mr Rabbit, what’s wrong?
You haven’t said a word, even though I’m showing you such lovely scenery. What are you thinking about?”
It was true; such scenery was rare, and visiting a place like this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“Elder Brother Tortoise,” Mr Rabbit replied, “I’m extremely grateful for you showing me these rare sights.
However, I can’t focus on this scenery. I’m interested in something else”.
“And what is it that you’re so interested in?”
“What I’m interested in is your mind, Elder Brother (Tortoise). Why did you bring me along on your back like this? You could have swum by yourself and won, so why did you carry me?
I wanted to see, I was interested in understanding, the mind that made you carry me”.
“Oh, is that it? If you want to know and see my mind, then look at your own mind”.
“Huh?”
“Listen, Mr Rabbit, did you think I wouldn’t know? In the very first race, you fell asleep halfway. I kept running and won; you lost. That’s the audience’s view, the public view, but the audience doesn’t know what you and I know, do they? Did you think I didn’t see you open one of your little eyes and peek when I passed you halfway?”
“Oh, so you knew I wasn’t really asleep? Is that right?”
“And in the second race, you again ‘fell asleep’ near the finish line. That’s the audience’s assumption and perception; they didn’t see you open your eyes. They think you’re lazy. But I know. And I know this much: those two races weren’t my victories; they were yours. You won both of those races”.
“Just think about it. An acclaimed champion runner like you and me — we aren’t truly competitors. The third race was the only normal competition, a normal win and loss that no one can deny. I accept that kind of loss, and the audience accepts it too”.
“Oh.”
“That’s why I said it: if you want to see my mind, you should look back at your own mind.”
“Thank you, Elder Brother. I will strive to cultivate a noble spirit like yours”.
“Thank you very much, little brother. And I, too, will strive to cultivate a noble spirit like yours”.
The name of the island they were on was “Unity Island”.

GNLM