and the forest has turned black. It’s time to prepare for winter. BORTE: I see, well… I had a bad dream last night. HOELUN: These dreams must be falling right on you. What kind of dream was it? BORTE: In the dream, I got lost in the forest. Suddenly, four tigers appeared in front of me, and all four rushed at me and ate at my breasts. Since this, the embryo inside me has begun to move. That’s why I’m worried. HOELUN: What can this mean? Well, you know dreams – they’re like fox droppings, as they say. Let’s not misinterpret it with what little information we have. Enter Old Keikuat. She has a cradle on her shoulder. She carries it to the place of honour in the room, puts it down and looks at the silently sitting Hoelun and Borte. HOELUN: Something happened, why were you late? KEIKUAT: Bortezhan… When you started getting picky about food, I asked the blacksmith, Kokish to make a cradle. I checked up on it yesterday but it wasn’t ready then. I had to wait. HOELUN: Oh, thank you. Long life to you, my friend! Come, show me. Hoelun examines the cradle, strokes it and is satisfied. KEIKUAT: Starting with the firstborn grandson, may all subsequent grandchildren grow up in this cradle. HOELUN May your wish come true. KEIKUAT: Why are you so gloomy, Borte? Does the cradle not please the firstborn? BORTE Oh, it’s not that. May the creator watch over you, my friend. KEIKUAT: You seem kind of sad today. HOELUN: She had a dream in which four tigers tore at her chest. Since then, her mood has not improved. The old woman, Keikuat thinks, then her eyes close and she smiles, her whole face shining. KEIKUAT: Oh, Hoelun, the merciful Creator wants to bless us! This dream is not one to frown over, Borte, this is a joyous dream. (Comes up, hugs and kisses her). If four tigers gnaw and eat at your breasts, then you will give birth to four sons like tigers. It is swinshee, (good news/a gift) Hoelun. HOELUN: That is what it means to ‘trust only a well-meaning soul to unravel dreams.’ You have brightly illuminated our gloomy mood, seer. Four types of livestock must be sacrificed as a token of gratitude for what has been
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