Selim was rushing towards the exit of his school.He was looking forward to leave this place and go to Yusuf and Zehra's house.Tears were coming down from his light brown eyes unstoppably.He finally came out from the madrassie's gate and started to walk rapidly.When Yusuf was coming along with him to this madrassie,Selim was memorizing every corner and alley.He knew exactly where his house was.On the way towards his house,he recalled his teacher's narrative about king Simon.
When Selim reached his destination,Zehra was returning from the bakery in order to cook lunch.She noticed crying Selim and came closer to him.She put her hands on both of his cheeks.
-Selim,my son,what's the matter?Your face is so reddened from crying.
-My lessons at the madrassie have just finished.I am crying due to my history lesson.My teacher told us extremely tragic story of king Simon I of Kartli.
-Come inside the house,son!Come and relate me that story!
Zehra held Selim's right hand and made him enter inside the house.Mother and son sat down on the chairs and Selim meticulously told her that story.Zehra was shocked.
-I didn't expect this kind of cruelty!
-Mother,I promised father to not forget my real name,surname,family and nationality.
-You must keep your promise,son!
-Why is this place called Ottoman empire?What does empire mean?
-Empire is the state where many foreign lands are united under one ruler which is the current sultan Selim III.His mother-Mihrishah valide sultan is Georgian(Valide sultan means queen mother).This empire includes slaves of different Caucasian and European nationalities in the army and in the harem.Harem is the place inside the palace,where foreign slave maidens are specially chosen for the sultan.
-So what does Ottoman nationality mean then?
-It means to be called just Ottoman,the person who came here as the slave,whose name and surname were lost forever,who has forgotten his roots and the land where he came from.So,in other words,my Selim...Being Ottoman does not make you belong to Ottoman ethnicity,because the ethnic group called Ottomans does not exist!
-However,mother,I am distinguished from the rest!I will never forget my real identity!
-Well done,my dear son!-Zehra hugged Selim.
Selim also snuggled her.
-Mother,isn't it time to prepare lunch?
-Yeah,I almost forgot!Get up and follow me to the kitchen!We will talk!
-About what?
-Whatever you want,my Selim!
-Can you teach me your language?
-Absolutely,Selim!We have to cook first,then you must study your school subjects and in the evening,we will have been studying Greek alphabet and some expressions.