In ancient times, there lived a beautiful princess named Nang Sida in the Xieng Khwang kingdom.
She had long, black hair, beautiful eyes, and fair skin.
Nang Sida is also known as a kind and wise girl.
One day, a young prince named Prince Khamtan from the kingdom of Luang Prabang came to visit the kingdom of Xieng Khwang.
In the Xieng Khwang royal palace
Prince Khamtan
(Talking to himself)
“How beautiful Nang Sida is. I have to get her.”
Nang Sida
(Hearing Prince Khamtan speak)
“What did you say, Prince?”
Prince Khamtan
(Surprised)
“Oh, Nang Sida. I was just praising your beauty.”
Nang Sida
[Smile]
“Thank you, Prince. You are handsome too.”
Prince Khamtan
(Smile)
“I love you, Nang Sida.”
Nang Sida
[Smile]
“I love you too, Prince.”
Prince Khamtan
“Will you marry me?”
Nang Sida
(Nod)
“Of course, Prince.”
Prince Khamtan and Nang Sida were engaged.
Prince Khamtan immediately fell in love with Nang Sida, and Nang Sida also fell in love with Prince Khamtan.
They also got engaged.
However, their happiness did not last long.
King Phaya Champa from a neighboring kingdom who also liked Nang Sida kidnapped him.
Prince Khamtan and his guards chased King Phaya Champa, but they were unable to find him.
Prince Khamtan: (Sighs heavily) Nang Sida… I will never stop looking for you. Even though this forest is silent, even if the traces disappear into time, I will not rest until you are back in my arms.
Crow: (Lowers his head briefly, then croaks) Khamtan, son of Luang Prabang. Despair will not bring you closer to Nang Sida.
Prince Khamtan: (Looking up, meeting the Crow’s gaze) But where else should I look? Champa had been battered, the traces of King Phaya Champa disappeared like a shadow.
Crow: (Jumps onto a nearby branch, approaching Prince Khamtan) The forces of nature never lie, Khamtan. Follow the whisper of the wind, hear the song of the river, learn the message of the leaves. This forest has its own way of speaking.
Prince Khamtan: (Raises eyebrows) You are a wise bird, my friend. What do you hear in this evening wind?
Crow: (Looking down again, hoarse voice whispering) To the north, Khamtan. Follow a hidden river through a misty valley. There, secrets may be revealed.
Prince Khamtan: (The evening sun begins to set, golden light colors the leaves) To the north, you say? I believe in you, bro. Nang Sida is waiting, and I will not disappoint her love.
(Prince Khamtan rises, new determination burning in his eyes.
He looks north, where a small winding river disappears among the trees.
Ravens fly around him for a moment, then disappear into the evening sky, as if invisible guides.)
Prince Khamtan: (Raising his sword, his voice loud) For love, for Luang Prabang, I will go on! Thank you, fellow crow. Hopefully we will never be apart again.
(Prince Khamtan steps into the forest, following the hidden river towards the north.
Dusk falls, shrouding the forest in mystery, but Prince Khamtan’s determination will never quench.
The raven, an invisible guide, flies among the leaves, watching over Prince Khamtan’s journey, brings a glimmer of hope in the gray twilight.)
Nang Sida was taken to the Champa kingdom and forced to marry King Phaya Champa.
However, Nang Sida refused to marry King Phaya Champa.
He remained loyal to Prince Khamtan.
Scene: Champa Royal Palace – Lotus Room
King Phaya Champa: (Dressed luxuriously, sitting on the throne proudly) “So, you are Nang Sida who is famous for her beauty?”
Nang Sida: (Standing straight, gaze sharp but calm) “That’s right, Sire. And I’m not a booty for you to display in this palace.”
King Phaya Champa: (Laughs briefly) “Hmm, you are very brave, Princess Xieng Khwang. But your beauty is like pearls, too dear to waste.”
Nang Sida: “Kindness and loyalty are more valuable than pearls, Sire. And you will not find that in me.”
King Phaya Champa: (Slightly wry face) “Just kidding, Princess. I offer you the throne and power, a life of luxury beyond measure. Isn’t that what all women want?”
Nang Sida: (Smiling) “I, Sire, only want true love and freedom. You will not find both of them behind the golden walls of this palace.”
King Phaya Champa: (Closing in with a sharp gaze) “Don’t take my warning lightly, Princess. My patience and lust have limits.”
Nang Sida: (Raising his chin) “Threats will not change my stance, Sire. I will not submit to anyone except love and truth.”
King Phaya Champa: (Growling angrily) “You will regret your stubbornness, Princess!”
Nang Sida: (Remaining calm) “The greatest regret is not for failing, Sire, but for never trying. And I, will continue to try to achieve my freedom, even if I have to fight the whole world.”
One day, Nang Sida was walking in the Champa royal garden when he met a crow.
The crow was a magical animal sent by Prince Khamtan to help Nang Sida.
Nang Sida: (Wiping her tears) Khamtan… where are you now? Do you think about me, like I think about you? Do you hear my cries in this silent night?
Crow: (Lowers his head for a moment, then croaks) Nang Sida, the flower of Luang Prabang. Fortitude will not free you from this captivity. King Phaya Champa was merciless.
Nang Sida: (Clasping his fists, his eyes shining with determination) I will not give up, crow. I’m going to get out of here. My love for Khamtan and Luang Prabang gives me strength.
Crow: (Jumps onto a rock near Nang Sida) Love is like a torch, Nang Sida. But it needs direction, it needs wind to ignite. Listen to the whispers of this cave, learn the messages of water dripping from the ceiling. The forest has its own way of setting you free.
Nang Sida: (Turns his gaze to the water droplets that form a pattern at the bottom of the cave) What message did you hear from this cave, friend? Is there a hidden way out?
Crow: (Looking down again, hoarse voice whispering) To the east, Nang Sida. Follow the sound of splashing water that is rarely touched by light. There, the cave walls may hold secrets.
Nang Sida: (Hope lights up his face) To the east… I trust you, crow. Khamtan and Luang Prabang are waiting for me, and I will not disappoint them.
(Nang Sida got up, even though his body was weak, his spirit was blazing.
He felt the surface of the cave, following the faint sound of splashing water.
The crows flew around him for a moment, then disappeared into the darkness, as if they were invisible guides.)
Nang Sida: (Holding a large rock blocking the road, her voice trembling) For love, for Luang Prabang, I will break down this wall! Thank you, crow friend. May we meet again under bright skies.
(Nang Sida exerted all her strength and pushed the rock until it rolled away.
Behind the rock, a narrow, dark cave passage was hidden.
Nang Sida took a deep breath, then stepped into the passage, carrying a glimmer of hope and determination in her heart.
Crow, the guide invisible, flying over the cave, watching Nang Sida’s bravery, bringing good news to Prince Khamtan who was heading north.)
A simple hut on the edge of the forest, the light of the torch illuminated the faces of Prince Khamtan and his bodyguards who were sitting in a circle.
Prince Khamtan: (Patting the wooden table in front of him) My brothers, we have been looking for Nang Sida for a long time, but he has not been found. King Phaya Champa has fled, and we don’t know where he has gone.
Soldier 1: (Nods) We know, Prince. But we must not give up. We have to find Nang Sida and bring him back to Luang Prabang.
Soldier 2: (Shouting) We’ll find him, Prince! We will defeat King Phaya Champa and free Nang Sida!
Prince Khamtan: (Nods with satisfaction) I know you will do it. But we can’t just rely on our strength alone. We need a mature strategy.
Soldier 1: (Asks) What are you planning, Prince?
Prince Khamtan: (Patches the table again) We will attack the kingdom of Champa. We will lure King Phaya Champa out of hiding.
Soldier 2: (Surprised) Attacking the Champa kingdom? That is a very difficult task, Prince.
Prince Khamtan: (Nods) I know. But it’s the only way to find Nang Sida.
Soldier 1: (Thinks for a moment) I agree, Prince. We must attack the Champa kingdom.
Soldier 2: (Nods) I agree too. We will do whatever it takes to save Nang Sida.
Prince Khamtan: (Standing) All right, my brothers. We will gather in the morning to discuss our plan of attack.
Guards: (Simultaneously) Ready, Prince!
(Prince Khamtan and his guards stand up and come out of the hut. They are determined to defeat King Phaya Champa and save Nang Sida.)
Prince Khamtan: (Shouting) King Phaya Champa! We have come to seek revenge for Nang Sida’s kidnapping!
King Phaya Champa: (Laughs) Hahaha! You dare attack my palace? You think you can beat me?
Prince Khamtan: (Nods) We will try.
(Prince Khamtan’s bodyguards advanced to attack Champa’s soldiers. A fierce battle ensued. Prince Khamtan himself went straight to the throne where King Phaya Champa sat.)
Prince Khamtan: (Shouting) King Phaya Champa! I will free Nang Sida!
King Phaya Champa: (Laughs) You can never touch him!
(King Phaya Champa rises from his throne and draws his sword.
Prince Khamtan also draws his sword, and they fight.)
The fight between Prince Khamtan and King Phaya Champa was fierce.
Both of them are strong and skilled in using swords.
Prince Khamtan: (Smiling) You are not as strong as I thought, King Phaya Champa.
King Phaya Champa: (Gripping his sword tighter) You’ll regret saying that!
(The fight gets fiercer. Both of them attack each other with deadly moves.)
Finally, Prince Khamtan succeeded in killing King Phaya Champa.
King Phaya Champa fell to the ground, dead.
Prince Khamtan: (Turns towards Nang Sida who is standing behind King Phaya Champa) Nang Sida! You’re free!
Nang Sida: (Runs towards Prince Khamtan and hugs him) Prince! I really miss you!
Prince Khamtan: (Hugging Nang Sida tightly) I miss you too, Nang Sida.
(Prince Khamtan and Nang Sida kiss each other, a sign of their love and joy at being reunited.)
(The guards of Prince Khamtan and the surviving followers of King Phaya Champa disengage from the battle.)
Prince Khamtan: (Shouting) Let’s go home, Nang Sida. Luang Prabang is waiting for us.
Nang Sida: (Nods) I’m ready, Prince.
(Prince Khamtan and Nang Sida ride their horses, leaving the destroyed Champa palace.
They return to Luang Prabang, bringing victory and love.)
Prince Khamtan and his guards succeeded in defeating King Phaya Champa and saving Nang Sida.
They returned to the kingdom of Luang Prabang and lived happily ever after.