Emren, Son of Begil

Lord Begil was a brave lord who guarded the border of the Oghuz land. One day while hunting he fell from his horse and broke his leg. He had to stay in bed. When the enemies heard of it, they said, "Begil is wounded, the border is unguarded," and got ready to attack.

Lord Begil's son Emren was still young. His father called him to his side: "My son, I cannot get up. The enemy is coming to the border. You must go in my place." Emren was afraid, but he did not show it. "I will go, father," he said.

Emren buckled on his sword and mounted his horse. With a few warriors he reached the border. The enemy soldiers were very many. The warriors with Emren got frightened and turned back. Emren was left alone. For a moment he wanted to turn back too. Then he thought of his father, his mother and the children in the camp.

On a hilltop he got off his horse, opened his hands and prayed: "O God, give me strength. I am here not for myself, but for my people." He stood up and took a deep breath. Instead of fear, he felt a warmth in his heart.

He mounted his horse and rode out in front of the enemy. The enemy commander laughed: "Is a child going to stand against us?" Emren said in a calm voice, "On this land children are sleeping and old people are resting. I will not let you disturb them." He stood so firmly that the enemy soldiers looked at each other. Just then the warriors who had turned back came to Emren's side in shame, and help arrived from the camp. The enemy did not dare to fight and withdrew.

When Emren returned to the camp, his father sat up in bed and kissed his son's forehead. "Today you grew up," he said.

Dede Korkut played his kopuz: "There is no hero who is never afraid; there is the hero who stands firm in spite of his fear. Strength is sometimes not in the arm, but in the heart and in prayer."