Mehmet is from Turkey and has been living in Spain for 2 months for his university education and didn’t have much time to explore the city of Sevilla. So, he decided to spend a whole weekend in the city centre and booked a room for two days in a nice hotel. After leaving his bags in the room he wanted to have some drinks and left the hotel. In a nice cafe he had a seat and ordered a lemonade. While waiting for his lemonade he felt a hand on his shoulder and when he turned back he saw Alba who was his friend from faculty. Mehmet invited him to join him and Alba also ordered a cold lemonade. They started to have a chat and Alba said that he was from Almeria. Mehmet was surprised because he thought that Alba was from Sevilla and when he heard that Alba was from Almeria he remembered a tale his grandfather told him when he was a child and asked Alba;
-Do you know the tale of Ayaz Ata?
Alba said ‘no’ but he was curious about this tale and wanted Mehmet to tell him about the tale and Mehmet started telling the tale:
In the faraway kingdom of Serenia, nestled amidst majestic mountains and fertile valleys, there lived a brave and wise warrior named Ayaz Ata. He was renowned for his strength, valor, and unwavering dedication to his people. Ayaz Ata’s story had transcended borders, inspiring not only his own people but also capturing the hearts of those in distant lands.
In the neighboring kingdom of Almeria, Spain there lived a young boy named Amir. In Almeria people made their living on farming and trade. People also gave much importance to the different tales and Amir had grown up listening to the tales of Ayaz Ata, which were brought to their kingdom by traveling merchants and storytellers. The stories of Ayaz Ata’s courage and heroism had captivated young Amir’s imagination, and he often dreamt of meeting the legendary warrior. As fate would have it, an opportunity for such an encounter would soon present itself. For years Almaria had been a peaceful land to live in but after these peaceful years it was facing a grave threat from a neighboring kingdom that sought to expand its territory. The ruthless king of that realm, known as Malik, was infamous for his tyrannical rule and brutal conquests. The people of Almeria were in distress, and their hearts were heavy with fear. They yearned for a hero, someone who would stand against the darkness and defend their kingdom. Amir, now a young man, felt an unyielding desire to protect his homeland and find the legendary Ayaz Ata for guidance.
Alba was quite excited about the rest of the story and asked immediately, ‘Did he start the journey alone?’ Mehmet wasn’t expecting such a question, but, as far as he remembered, he was alone. To make sure, he grabbed his phone and dialed his grandfather.
-Hi grandfather, how are you?
Mehmet’s grandfather wasn’t expecting a phone call from his grandson as it was night time. He wanted to make sure that his grandson was fine and Mehmet answered,
-Don’t worry grandfather, I am fine but I am with my friend Alba from Almeria. Do you remember the tale you told me about Ayaz Ata when I was a little child?
His grandfather answered, ‘of course, I remember.”
-So, tell me grandfather, did Amir start his journey alone?
-Yes, my dear. He traveled all the way alone because he was really brave and dedicated himself to help his people.
Mehmet was happy to hear this answer because a missing part in his story was completed. After hanging up the phone he took a sip from his lemonade and continued to tell the tale:
Amir embarked on a journey to seek Ayaz Ata, a quest that took him through perilous terrains and diverse landscapes. Along the way, he encountered people from different cultures and backgrounds, each with their own stories of bravery and resilience. Amir listened to their tales with fascination, gaining insight into the strength and unity that emerged from diversity. Finally, after weeks of traveling, Amir arrived in Serenia. The lush green hills and the sight of the mighty mountains filled him with awe. He sought out the village where Ayaz Ata was said to reside. In this village people were not rich but happy with their daily life and they were growing vegetables and fruits for their own cuisine and to make some money. In the village, Amir was warmly welcomed by the villagers, who shared their own accounts of Ayaz Ata’s heroism. They spoke of the warrior’s unwavering dedication to justice and the compassion he showed to all living beings. The stories resonated deeply with Amir, and he felt even more determined to meet Ayaz Ata.
After much inquiry, Amir found Ayaz Ata in a tranquil meadow, where the warrior was meditating under the shade of a mighty oak tree. Ayaz Ata exuded an aura of wisdom and serenity, and Amir felt a mix of excitement and trepidation as he approached him. “Great Ayaz Ata,” Amir said, bowing respectfully, “I have come from the kingdom of Almeria seeking your guidance. Our land faces a grave threat, and the people are in need of a hero to lead them.” Ayaz Ata looked into Amir’s eyes and smiled kindly. “Young man, bravery lies not only in battles fought with weapons, but also in the strength to unite people for a common purpose. Tell me more about your kingdom and the challenges it faces.”
Amir shared the story of Almeria, the tyranny of King Malik, and the kingdom’s desperate need for a leader to stand against the darkness. Ayaz Ata listened attentively, his heart stirred by the young man’s determination to protect his homeland. “I understand the weight of your burden, Amir,” Ayaz Ata replied. “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act in spite of it. I will accompany you back to Almeria and stand with your people against King Malik’s tyranny.” Filled with gratitude, Amir and Ayaz Ata journeyed back to Almeria together.
The news of Ayaz Ata’s arrival spread like wildfire, instilling hope and renewed determination in the hearts of the people. They gathered to hear Ayaz Ata’s counsel and to draw strength from his presence. Ayaz Ata’s wisdom and compassion touched everyone who listened to him. He spoke not of war and violence but of unity and understanding. He urged the people of Almeria to embrace their cultural diversity and to stand together as one against tyranny. The day of reckoning arrived, and the kingdom of Almeria faced King Malik’s forces on the battlefield. However, Ayaz Ata and Amir approached the confrontation with a different mindset. They carried the banner of unity and justice, drawing people from all walks of life to their cause. Ayaz Ata’s words had a profound effect on the enemy soldiers as well. Some began to question their loyalty to King Malik’s cruel regime, and seeds of doubt were sown among the ranks.
As the battle raged, Ayaz Ata showed acts of kindness even to those who opposed him. He spared the lives of defeated soldiers and treated them with respect and compassion. Witnessing this, some of the enemy soldiers surrendered, realizing that there was a different path they could choose. King Malik, blinded by his thirst for power, refused to surrender and fought relentlessly. But the strength of unity and justice proved stronger, and in a remarkable turn of events, his own people rose against him, tired of his tyranny.
With King Malik defeated, Ayaz Ata and Amir were hailed as heroes by the people of Almeria and beyond. Their victory was not just one of conquest but of compassion and understanding. They had shown that even in the face of adversity, it was possible to find a path of peace and unity. Ayaz Ata returned to Serenia, leaving behind a legacy of courage, wisdom, and compassion. His encounter with Amir had not only changed the fate of a kingdom but had also demonstrated the power of stories and perspectives from different cultures in shaping a more tolerant and empathetic world.
Alba was quite impressed with the tale of Ayaz Ata and was thankful to Mehmet as he shared such an inspiring tale with him. Two friends were very happy to find a common cultural aspect in their histories and said goodbye to each other until the next time.
Extra Info:
Ayaz Ata’s legend has not only inspired children in that distant land but has also found its way into the hearts of people from various cultures and backgrounds. The tale of a brave warrior standing up against evil resonates with universal themes of courage, resilience, and the triumph of good over darkness. Ayaz Ata’s story is often retold and adapted in different forms, including books, theater productions, and even animated films, spreading his message of hope and bravery to people around the world. The enduring legacy of Ayaz Ata serves as a reminder that timeless stories of heroism can bridge cultural boundaries, unite people, and inspire them to become the best versions of themselves. People from Almeria, Spain had also been a part of these tales, contributing to the transmission to next generations as Ayaz Ata made a big contribution to their freedom and peace. He brought peace not only to the life of people from Almeria but also to the life of the Malik’s soldiers.
