Chapter 02- New Work
It was started nearly a five-years ago time. At that time he was a mere gatekeeper in the royal court who got a promotion from the royal guard house and was also a son of previous royal gatekeeper named Dhatta. Being a a distant relative of the powerful and noble Lambhakanna clan which rapidly rose their power circle in court and whole country officialdom, that work was a simple one. But they were never given much concern about this young distant relative. But he was enthralled with his new job and happy about coming this far in his career life.
It was nearly mid of the fifth year .It was end of the sixth year of ruling of King Yasalalakathissa *who ruled country. He was a king from Shakya clan who ruled the country nearly more than four centuries. He came to the royal court early in the morning and was done reporting to his superiors and went to the place he should guard. On the way, he met a guard who guarded the royal cost premise. "OH! Are you a new doorkeeper?' that guard called him. "Yes brother, today is my first day "he greeted the guard. "It is nice to meet you brother. I think we can get along with each other. By the way newcomer, what is your name? Anyway, my name is Miththa" that guard introduced himself to him." Oh! Miththa, Nice to meet you. My name is Subha" he replied Miththa. After that, they talked to each other while they went to the front door of the royal court. When talking with them he informed that there is one guard at each two-foot distance around the area of the royal court and there were at least twenty guards serviced daily in the royal court area. They were changing their places every two hours. Also, he informed there are six gatekeepers at the front door of the royal court and they exchange their places each hour. "I'm stopping now. Goodbye Subha. Hope to meet you future" Miththa stopped at a certain position and started to work. "Yes Miththa, goodbye. Please remember me future" after saying that he went to the front door and greeted the other doorkeepers there. After knowing each other he asked from other guards what things should concern about working here. Then they replied
" Here is the royal court. The place where the king is giving his judgment and creating laws. Also, this place where ministers argue with each other. So first you have to remember not to tell anything about what happens in there. Never tell gossip about the king outside. If you want to work long term here the best way is to follow the principle of no see, no hear, no talk."
"Okay brothers, thank you for reminding me. Hope to work with you guys future" Subha replied. At that time one gatekeeper asked "Hey Subha, are you greeted to the chief of gatekeepers"." Yes, I have greeted him before coming here".
The chief gatekeeper in royal court is bit fat and mild dark brown-skinned bald man.He had long nose and wide lips. According to Subha's mind this man was funny man and he liked to talk with him very much. If not his duty day he surely liked to chat with him. When Subha was reporting to the chief , he said "There is one really like you. But I can not remember now. But I am sure I remembered him just now. But I can not remember now. Wait a minute I surely tell you about that". But subha not took his words as important. So he told "Chief, I have to work now. We can talk about this on another day. I am going now. Bye" "Hey, wait…wait…I remember it quickly and tell you…hey are you leaving? It's okay. Next time I tell you about this "voice of the chief was received ears of Subha but not taken it seriously.
"It is okay you reported him first. You have to remember never to offend a superior. For your long journey, this has to obey next strictly" other gatekeepers advised him. "Okay brothers, I follow that. Have you everyone seen king anyway?" Such a asked from other gatekeepers. "Of course we all seen king. Sometimes he comes out with ministers to watch water sports in Thissa tank."
"Oh, it is like that " Subha was happy about that because he could see the king occasionally due to his profession. At that time there was a person come out from the court. He was wearing very different type of clothes and by looking at his persona anyone can get smile .Anyway that man was awarded with very valuable presents .After man left from royal court premise he asked his fellow gatekeepers "Who is that man?"
"Oh , that man .He is a jester who came from western country Parthia. You have to remember king is very fond about jokes. Sometimes he make jokes for his ministers . So you have to remember not caught up with his majesty jokes. So you have to be careful." Others told to him.
"Haah, Is there like that? Anyway I remember that too " Subha told them. Oh , now it is time to be end of royal court. Everyone in position" one gatekeeper reminded others acted in their places. Sometime after door of court opened and group of royal guards passed them. After that a skinny tall young man came out from the door .He watched gatekeepers in two sides of him sometimes and asked" Oh! There is new comer. Come here and show me who you are to this king."
Subha came front of this youngster and greeted him while worshipping him "You majesty, this is the gatekeeper name is Subha." "Forgone your greetings, show your face now" the young king replied. Subha showed his face to the king. At that time he also was seen king too. What so amazed him was this was like nearly watching his face from the water. Both faces were similar to each other. Both shocked each other and watched blankly each other long time. Others also were shocked about this but they never mentioned this. After some time king Yasalalakathissa told, "Ha…Ha…Ha… you and I have the same faces. Is this not wonderful? Hey, my friend, you and I will have a lot of fun future. Wait till my order". After saying that king passed him and walked in the direction of the Thissa tank.
Subha wondered what fun will king have with him meanwhile.
King Yasalalakathissa – Last king of Shakya royal house.