Captain Owl

              I would like to recount some of the experiences I had during the military operation in Bawse Kho, Karen State. At that time, my rank was Lieutenant Captain. Although there were younger ones than me at the battlion, I was supposed to be youngest when we went to front line. When we went front line, I had to lead over ten people. After living together about two operations, we became very close. Being a leader, I had my responsibility whatever they were good or bad. At that time, Bawse Kho hill was the main point where Commander lived. There were many point hills around that. On the foot of the hill, mainland, there was a large parking and a market of locals. All the soldiers there had to buy from this market. They bought things they needed and was also a place to rest when the columns went.

                On the evening, that market was full of noise. I was very friendly like family with a woman from that market. Once we reached to Bawse Kho, we had to go to her shop to buy we needed. We could get all things we needed with good customer service there. She was a good-hearted one and it’s too loud when she talked. The whold market could even hear.

              She was happy when we went there and also we were too. I always told my soldiers ”Guys, although she was goodwill, don’t take any chance upon this.”

             Treat her like a mother. Told me if you guys had no money to eat. Don’t steal others’. Always try to help the civilians. If even can’t help, don’t be danger to them. As I always said, I am afraid of being blammed for you guys and I promise that you would’t be like that cuz of me. Do you guys understand? “

             All obeyed what I said. They helped her as long as they could. When she was busy, we helped at her shop. And reversely, she treated us very well like giving many extra when we bought. Sometimes, she didn’t even take money and gave free. When I had no place to sleep, I went to her shop and slept at there. Beside she gave place to sleep, prepared foods for dinner. And then, we became like real mother and son.

            On one night,I went to sleep at there and then we talked a lot.She told me,”I have something to give you,Pho Kwar”(Pho Kwar is the nickname she called me).And then she gave me a package wrapped with cloth.Inside that,I saw two muddy gold plates which in size of a hand.She told me,” I found them beyond my shop and there could be more.You can take them. If you give me a mine detector and a soldier, I could find more for you.”Although I was suprised,I had no desire.

             I told her,” I don’t have any desire for these gold and it is not easy for me to give you a mine detector and soldier as I am the lowest tired in officers.And I know the avarice of battlion commander. I don’t want you to be in trouble. So if you want to give for me,just give some potatoes and others.That is more useful for us.”When I said like that,she scolded me.

           But she also treated me more friendly as she know my attitude and intention.She wished for me wherever I went.She always told me to take care myself and also said that she would take care for me. At first,I thought that words are normal.

         Later,I always received a parcel wherever I was.A local delivery man I don’t even know took it and I couldn’t ask him who gave it for me.When I asked every camp on his way to me,no one saw him.

         Once I found my name ”Captain Owl”,I knew it was her because she was the only one called me like that. In that parcel,there were potatoes, cigarettes, coffee mix,dried chilis and etc. I was sure that it was her. However,we didn’t have to worry for meal if we were lack of foods.But I couldn’t ask her how she know where we were as we were in places with no phone and network connection.

          After our operations, the time had come to go back to the battlion.When we reached to our camp,I went to meet with her as usual. When I reached to her shop,she cooked the meals I like as she already knew I’ll come.So I couldn’t hold my curiosity.I asked her,” How you can sent that parcel? How do you know where I was and who was the delivery man? We didn’t tell anyone where we had to go for operations, but how do you know that? “

         She replied me with a smile, ”Oh dear,no one need to tell me where you were.You will realize later about that. “She didn’t answer my questions.

         I slept at there and on the morning, I came back to battlion to prepare for going home.Before I went,I gave her my phone number and told her to call me if she was in Yangon.She told me that she would call me if she was.But I thought I was not easy to keep in touch with her. And then I went back to Yangon.

          Two weeks later,an unknown number called me and I wished it was her.I answered the phone and I heard her voice,”Phoe Kwar,it’s me.I’m in Yangon as I want to go to clinic. Where are you now? I ‘ll come there.” When I knew it was her,I was very suprise and happy at the same time.

          The Commander also know her,he let me to go out with her.It was my chance to treat her back.I went back to the battlion when she went back home.Once I reached to myhome.Once I reached to my camp,the Commander said me,”How there,the rebel leader? Is everything alright?”. I didn’t understand what he told about and I asked him,”Sorry A Ba,what’s going on? “. And he said me,”Huh,don’t you know that? Her husband is one of the officers from other side (other side means the ethnic armed organizations) and may be Strategist in tier ranking.”

         When I heard everything form the Commander, I realized how she could sent me a parcel wherever I was. Actually, I thought her like normal and that may be I was young. And it was the fact she liked me. I think it was the benefits of helping people with goodwill and I got the Civilians’ love as I gave my love to them. If every soldiers treat the civilian with good-hearted, they will get their love back.

           I always remembered her.When I had to go to Karin State with military operations, I always looked for her by asking her name.I think she will remember her ”Captain Owl” too.I always thinks that how she will be happy if she know I joined CDM and I was standing together with Civilians.

       Thank you.

       Htet Myat.

Translated to English by K.Z.Htun