The Lion and the Sun – Chapter 12 – Part 2 (The Rising Sun)

     As Maung Ba stood nervously, waiting to be interrogated, he thought of Ba Sein, as well as the gross stupidity of the nationalists in believing that independence from the British could be acquired through the medium of a foreign country.

      Suddenly the shrill voice of the commandant rang in his ears as he name was called.  He stood at attention, as required of all prisoners before confronting his interrogator and was about to sit down, when he was stopped abruptly.

      “You must bow first,” the interrogator roared.

       Maung Ba bowed, and was about to sit down when he was stopped. “Not before I ask you to sit down,” the interrogator said with a menacing gaze.  “Now, you can sit down,” he continued,  ready to jot down Maung Ba’s answers.    ”Your name?” the interrogator began.

       ”You’ve called it already,” Maung Ba answered.

       ”Once more,” the interrogator grunted. “Your name?”  

       “Maung Ba.”   

       “Your age?”    

       ”Thirty.”

       ”Profession?”

       ”Clerk.”

       ”Political affiliation?”

        Maung Ba hesitated.

      ”Answer the question.  What was your political affiliation?”  

      ”I used to be a member of a radical movement.”

      “What did you do?”

      ”I used to write commentaries in a student newspaper — attended meetings — demonstrated.    Our objective was to gain our freedom from the British.”

      ”Good!  So you were an activist.”

      “Yes.”   

       ”Are you aware that we are instrumental in solving your problem?”

       ”What problem?”

       ”The British problem.  You now have your independence through us.”