Lessons 5–6 · 2 lessons · Q. Yo‘ldoshev, V. Qodirov, J. Yo‘ldoshbekov. Literature: textbook for Grade 9 of general secondary schools. Revised and expanded 4th edition. “O‘zbekiston” NMIU, Tashkent, 2019
6
“Alpomish”: the dreams, friendship with Qorajon and Barchin’s four conditions
Textbook: pp. 29–34
GoalList the dreams, the meeting and friendship of Alpomish and Qorajon, and the four conditions Barchin set.
New words
dream · tushto take as a friend · do‘st tutinmoqcondition · sharthorse race · poyga
Explanation
Setting out, Alpomish spends the first night in the shepherds’ hut and has a dream in which he hears that those who support him have set out and that Barchin is destined for him. Barchin tells her own dream to her maid Suqsuroy, who interprets it; Qorajon, living among the Kalmyk alps, also has a dream, becomes a believer and begins to say his prayers. When the other alps mock him as a fool, Qorajon rides out to hunt and finds Alpomish lying on a hilltop; they get acquainted and become friends. Their handshake ends comically: Alpomish breaks his friend’s ribs, and Qorajon hides the pain. Alpomish sends him to Barchin as envoy and matchmaker, and Barchin sets four conditions: win a horse race from Mount Boboxon, archery with a bow that does not break, hitting a coin at a thousand paces, and throwing the ninety alps in wrestling.
Worked examples
Example: though a Kalmyk, Qorajon befriends Alpomish and stands against his own people’s alps. In the dastan friendship is chosen by good faith and courage, not by nation.
Example: Barchin’s four conditions – the race, the bow, the target and wrestling – test four qualities a herder-warrior needs: speed, accuracy, strength and endurance. That they apply to everyone equally also shows her fairness.
Class activity
Draw four columns on the board: condition, quality tested, who takes part, expected outcome. Groups fill them in and present.
Practice
1
List Barchin’s four conditions.
A race from Mount Boboxon, a bow that does not break, hitting a coin at a thousand paces, and throwing the ninety alps in wrestling.
2
How did Qorajon meet Alpomish?
Qorajon went hunting, met a stranger lying on a hilltop, talked with him, and the two became friends.
3
What did the moon and four stars in Barchin’s dream mean?
According to her maid Suqsuroy, the moon is the Prophet and the four stars his four companions; supportive forces were coming to Barchin.
4
Why did Barchin set the conditions equally for everyone? What does it say about her?
She gave Alpomish and the Kalmyks the same chance, showing she is fair and wise and wants worthiness, not force, to decide.