"She was the first English woman I had ever met." "And it seemed to me she knew more about the world than anyone." "But it was a world Siam was afraid would consume them." "The monsoon winds had whispered her arrival like a coming storm." "Some welcomed the rain, but others feared a raging flood." "Still she came, unaware of the suspicion that preceded her." "But it wasn't until years later that I began to appreciate how brave she was and how alone she must have felt." "An Englishwoman." "The first I'd ever met." "Mother!" "Come look!" "I think they've killed someone!" "Louis, do take care by the railing." "Beebe, Moonshee, gather your things." "It's time we went to shore." "I think we should wait until someone from the palace arrives." "If they were coming, they would be here already." "Besides, the ship is leaving." "My point exactly." "Goodbye, Mrs. Leonowens." "Louis!" "Louis!" "Pardon me." "Louis, come along, darling." " Mother?" " Yes?" "Why does this king need you if nobody here speaks English?" "The ways of England are the ways of the world." "It's a wise man who knows that." "Memsahib, in less than an hour the Newcastle sails, not to return for another month." "Tonight we shall all sleep in our own home, I promise." "Madam." "A carriage... where?" "A carriage?" "Wait, wait." "What is it?" "Over there." "This way, darling." "What do you suppose he's like, this King Mongkut?" "I heard that people used to be forbidden to even look at his face and that they revere him as a god." " You mean like Jesus?" " No, hardly!" "I suppose if he wishes his son to be tutored in the ways of the West, then I should be quite honored." "But why can't he just send him to London?" "Then you wouldn't have the chance to learn Siamese." "Gracious me!" "Are we sure this is the right road?" "How would we know?" "If you are not the lead elephant, the scenery never changes!" "Mother, look at those statues!" "Mem Leonowens, Kaw Rub." "Mrs. Leonowens," "His Excellency, Chao Phya Kralahome, the prime minister of Siam." "Have you any friends in Bangkok, sir?" "No." "I know no one here." "Sir is married?" "A widow." "Can you please explain to me why you call me sir?" "Women do not stand in the presence of His Excellency." "How long are you in possession of dead husband?" "23 months." "How did he die?" "Please convey to His Excellency that my purpose here is as tutor to the king's son and it is not necessary to ask personal questions." "Please." "In Siam, sir, it is custom to first ask questions of personal nature to be polite." "Mr. Prime Minister, I meant no disrespect." "However, getting here was something of a challenge." "Sir will be shown to palace quarters." "Mem." "I beg your pardon." "The king promised us a home outside the palace walls." "It's what was agreed upon." "In Siam, Sir, you will learn everything has its own time." "Don't bother unpacking, Moonshee." "It's only for one night." "It shall be settled to our satisfaction or we'll be leaving as soon as possible." "We don't have any money." "That is correct, but I do not need to be reminded of that." "It sounds like we're living in a beehive." "In the morning I shall go to the king." "A monarch who fails to keep his word is uncivilized, unenlightened and ungrateful." "There are principles at stake." "Having a proper British household with some privacy is one." "I don't think Siam agrees with you, memsahib." "Mother, how can it be a proper household?" "You haven't lived in England since you were little and I've never been there at all." "India is British." "That's what being colonized is about." "Father would have put him right in his place." "I'm very sorry I'm not the man your father was." "I'm sorry, Louis." "But this is a good opportunity for us." "I should just... try to look at the positive side." "Assuming there is one." "Your father would have." "He was a brave man, wasn't he?" "Yes, very." "And most considerate." "Which is more than I can say for this king." "Shall we go find your bed?" "Come on." "Unfortunate your meeting so delayed, sir." "King's obligation reach into every corner of Siam." "It has given me the time to think of many things, including why you pretended not to speak English." "I believe it wise to be cautious." "I will assume that our speaking now is a great step forward." "Best not to assume too much." "When presented to His Majesty, you and son will remember to touch forehead to floor." "Although we have become better acquainted with your customs, we have certainly not forgotten our own." "Then how will you greet him?" "With the utmost respect." "Mother, are those men speaking French?" "Yes." "Apparently a warship's run aground where it shouldn't have." "It appears sir must wait to meet His Majesty another day." "No, I do not think so." "Come along." "Mem Leonowens!" "Mem!" "Wait!" "Please!" "Your Majesty, I am Anna Leonowens." "I am the school..." "Stop!" "Who?" "!" "Who?" "!" "Your Majesty, Mem Anna Leonowens and son Louis." "Your Majesty, we have been kept waiting for nearly three weeks." "I appreciate that you have issues of great importance, but I imagine your son's education..." "Silence!" "You... are teacher?" "Yes, Your Majesty, I am." "You do not look sufficient of age for scientific teaching." "How many years have you?" "Enough to know that age and wisdom do not necessarily go hand in hand." "I doubt you would say same for being bold and English." "They are rather inseparable, I'm afraid." "His Majesty has not dismissed you." "Follow him." "Come along, Louis." "Up, up." "Quickly!" "You articulate logical answer under pressure, Mem Leonowens." "That is very kind of you, Your Majesty." "But irritating superior attitude king find most unbeautiful." "However, it will serve you well given decision I now make." "First impressions can often be misleading." "Along with my eldest son, you shall now teach all my children." "Come." "The royal family." "23 wives, 42 concubines," "58 offspring, and 10 more on the way." "Each one unique." "Each one my hope for the future." "I understand your surprise." "Not as many as Emperor of China, but he did not spend half of life in monastery." "King making up for lost time." "Mother, what's a concubine?" "Presenting original pupil and heir apparent." "Prince Chulalongkorn." "This, my son, is your new teacher." "It is a great honor, Your Highness." "He doesn't look too happy about it." "This is a necessary and practical gift I give to you and you must never forget to honor your renowned teacher Mem Anna Leonowens." "Must not forget head wife." "The Lady Thiang." "It is my pleasure that you help make her a fine scholar also." "Lady Thiang." "Welcome, mem teacher." "Prince" "Thongkon Yai." "Prince Suk Sawat." "Princess Kannika Kaeo." "And Princess Fa-Ying." "I'm not princess." "I'm monkey." "My deepest apologies." "I study her in English myself." "Well, Your Majesty, I am most flattered by your welcome." "And I find the opportunity to be in a school an exciting one." "Such devotion to progress is to be commended." "Reform is vital for my country's survival." "As tiny feet change, so too will Siam." "But being in a country with so many unique customs, if I am to raise my son to be like his father, which I very much hope he will be, then I must feel free to follow our own traditions." "As a father, I understand." "Good." "Then His Majesty will appreciate why having a home outside the palace walls is of such great importance to us." "A home which had been promised but so far has not been provided." "It is my pleasure that you live in the palace." "But it is not mine, Your Majesty." "You do not set conditions of your employment." "And you shall obey!" "May I respectfully remind His Majesty that I am not his servant but his guest!" "A guest who is paid." "Education begins tomorrow." "He sounds absolutely dreadful, if you ask me." "He did unnerve me, I must say." "Moonshee, why does the king have so many wives?" "That is an excellent question for your mother." "Mother?" "I heard you, Louis." "Well, Siam is a monarchy just like England." "And one way that a royal family maintains its control in the face of war and disease is to have as many children as possible." "So he needs a lot of wives to take care of them?" "A keen observation, darling." "Time for bed." "Come and give us a kiss." "Does he love all of them?" "In a way." "Like you loved Father?" "Things are very different here, Louis." "Even love." "Go on." "Off to bed." "Mother, why doesn't Queen Victoria have a lot of husbands?" "Good night, Louis." "Presenting royal school, sir." "Is anything wrong, sir?" "No." "Nothing at all, Lady Thiang." "Louis, that will be your desk." "Yes." "Well, I suppose class is now in session." "Sit down." "Greetings, Mem Leonowens." "My father wish to give sir this to put on path of good teaching." "Well, I shall certainly bear that in mind, Your Highness." "May I compliment you on your English?" "Siam - population six million, spreading across 49 bountiful provinces, from Burma in west to Cambodia in east, presided over by King Maha Mongkut," "Lord of Life, whose strength and power reach everywhere." "Not in my house, they don't." "Son of teacher is forgetting I am son of king." "Son of teacher couldn't care less." "You will sit somewhere else!" "I will not!" "Louis, remember what I told you." "I'm sorry, Mother." "But he started it." "In my country, man never tell woman he is sorry about anything... ever." "If you had father, you would know that." "You don't have a father!" "You have a map!" "Louis!" " It's forbidden to touch royalty!" " I didn't!" "I shoved you!" "Get one of your slaves to shove me back!" "Get off me!" "Let me through." "Excuse me." "Stop it, Louis." "That's enough!" "Why?" "Prince insult memory of boy's father." "998, 999, 1,000." "Finished." "You may go home." "Aren't you coming?" "Not until Prince Chulalongkorn finishes his task." "I'm sorry, Lady Thiang, but supper will have to wait." "The prince has not yet been dismissed." "His Majesty King Mongkut afraid schoolteacher might get hungry during long night ahead." "He send food... for one." "Why does my father humble me?" "He wants what's best for you." "For the moment, that includes me." "Why?" "Most people do not see the world as it is." "They see it as they are." "And a good king needs a broader view." "Stay here, Your Highness." "What is that smell?" "!" "She has been chained outside for six weeks." "All because she tried to buy her freedom." "Mem Leonowens, Jao Jom Manda Ung is daughter of very influential family." "Yes." "And when La-Ore offered her the money, she took it." "Her mistress took it." "Then she accused her of ingratitude and chained her like an animal where the prince and I found her." "Heir to throne must never be involved in issue of bondservant." "It will resolve itself in time." "Like my house?" "You are learning." "I have been doing much thinking, mem teacher, on why some in this life are masters, like Jao Jom Manda Ung, and others slaves." "That is something you need to ask your father, Your Highness." "But you are teacher." "Teach." "This American woman" " Harriet Beecher Stowe - asked the same question." "Perhaps you should read her and then we might continue our discussion." "A woman?" "Yes." "Uncle Tom's Cabin." "I shall read it at once, mem." "Come along, Louis!" "Quickly." "We don't want to be late for school." "Were you not commanded to leave slave issue alone?" "Your Excellency, I'm fully prepared to obey His Majesty's commands within the obligation of my duties." "Beyond that, I promise no obedience." "You will follow." "La-Ore purchased her freedom once, and I believe, had I given this woman my ring first, she would have taken it and continued to hold La-Ore captive." "King's commitment to noble families must not be compromised." "In your letter confirming my employment, you said you wanted Siam to take its place among the nations of the modern world." "You spoke of building something greater than yourself." "A country where no man is above the law." "Which is why I chose to come here." "Schoolteacher has outstanding memory." "Kralahome..." "If you would please honor Jao Jom Manda Ung with an explanation of the law." "Why did you intervene?" "My conscience demanded it." "And boys' fisticuffs?" "I beg your pardon?" "I suppose, since you must be both mother and father to son, tendency to overprotect is strong." "Louis can fend for himself, Your Majesty." "It was your son I was protecting." "Thank you for the supper." "Although I do not think it was necessary." "I know my son." "You would still be there." "Perhaps." "But then my point would have been made, Your Majesty, not yours." " I am king." " Yes." "And I am his schoolteacher." "Which lesson do you think he learnt?" "To respect his classmates or to fear his father?" "Husband must have been very understanding." "My husband was never threatened by my ideas or my opinions." "And because I am also such" "I will allow you to always stand upright in my presence, providing head shall never be higher than mine." "Thank you, Your Majesty." "Your Majesty," "I believe there has been enough insult caused by this woman, who believes herself to be the equal of a man." "Not the equal of a man, Chao Phya." "The equal of a king." "I make this for you tomorrow." "Why, thank you, Fa-Ying." "It's beautiful." "These are monkeys at summer palace." "And this must be you." "I shall hang it on my wall at home." "I will make another for you yesterday." "Then I shall wait for it tomorrow." " Lady Thiang." " Good morning, Mem Leonowens." "This is Lady Tuptim." "She's new in palace, also like yourself." "I wish also to learn writing of English to... to please His Majesty King Mongkut." "Yes, well, certainly." "But I should hope that it would please Lady Tuptim as well." "And this is for you." "Make sure all of your books are open." "Who knows the next letter in the alphabet after E?" " F." " F." "Who can tell me which words start with F?" "Fa-Ying loves the river." "Yes, she told me all about her journey to Ayudhya." "How it is the center of the universe." "It is home to ancient ones and their many legends." "I told her in England we have Camelot." "And a big round table." "Yes, that's right." "Everyone should have legends, I think." "It allows us to dream." "You're an interesting mix of fact and fancy, mem." "I suppose it's because I'm always surrounded by children." "Teaching the young is fulfilling endeavorment." "I didn't have a choice really." "Buddhists believe all life is suffering." "Take away pain of husband's death..." "takes away mem's chance to grow." " We might have preferred a different lesson." " Yes." "But unique opportunity to change world would have passed to someone else." "Louis." "Do try and stay in the boat, darling." "He asked about your flag and the significance of the white elephant." "I had no answer." "Louis Leonowens!" "Yes, Your Majesty?" "I am teacher now." "The flag of Siam." " Red is for?" " Courage." " White?" " Compassion." "The white elephant is Siam's most rare and honored creature." "Perhaps on journey to rice festival we will all see one." "Rice festival?" "Mother!" "Mother, look!" "There's Moonshee and Beebe!" "I trust you will find ample space for engaging in English traditions." "Even for growing of roses." "Out of curiosity, is this because of our agreement or are you simply trying to get rid of me?" "Yes." "A little soap and water, and we will have a fine house, mem." "Shall I make us some tea?" "Yes." "That would be lovely." "I remember my first rice festival." "People come from everywhere to see king." "He bless all crops, and it begin to rain." "I think he was a god." "And now?" "He is also a man." "I feel very fortunate that we're invited." "One cannot see Siam's beauty living in Bangkok, mem." "The mountains are so green and the skies are more blue than even your eyes." "I must find Louis." "Louis!" " May I ask a favor, mem?" " Yes, certainly." "To send this." "I wish family to know how happy I am here with king." "I'll tell Moonshee to find a messenger straight away." "Mem..." "May I ask a question?" "Yes." "How did husband die?" "In my arms, actually." "How did mem survive?" "Just as you will." "One awful day at a time." "Mem sha, Louis is teasing me." "He say in England coldness fall from sky like tiny feathers." "Why would I lie about snow?" "Please, mem, it is too hot." "Can make some now?" "Just because your father can make it rain doesn't mean I can make it snow." "At last I discover her limitations." "I have many, Your Majesty." "Father, will you make it snow, please?" "Even for you, I cannot." "But I've seen photographs of such phenomenon." "Blankets of it... up to here!" "Louis..." "Smoke?" "Me?" "Jolly good!" "No." "No!" "But, Mother, he's the king." "My father smoked too." "Yes, but your father had already achieved his full height." "I have been smoking since age six." "And some believe me to be a giant among men." "Yes." "In intelligence as well as stature, Your Majesty." "Which is why, Louis, I'm sure His Majesty was only teasing." "I believe now is good time for all children to spread amazing concept of snow to cool off court." "Yes?" "Yes!" "I simply meant to open conversation in controversial fashion mem is so fond of." "I do have my opinions, but they're merely that." "I wish to compliment you for enlightening children to open minds and taste life." "However, at this time I shall not offer cigar to your son and you shall not teach this book to mine." "Chulalongkorn has many questions, but one cannot plow new fields in Siam overnight." "I understand, Your Majesty." "Honestly, Louis." "I leave you alone for five minutes..." "It was his idea." "Just because Prince Chulalongkorn jumps off a bridge doesn't mean you must as well." "How can anyone smoke those things?" "Your father certainly enjoyed them." "Is that why you like him?" "The king, I mean." "Because he reminds you of Father?" "I think that cigar has clouded your brain, young man." "Go on." "Go to sleep." "You drag me out at night and turn down five pounds a bushel?" "!" " French offer seven!" " What is the matter with you people?" "!" "You seem to have a very high opinion of the quality of your produce!" "That is the best price you're gonna get!" "I'm not gonna offer any more!" "Now, we all know that this egg will never fit into this bottle." "It's a fact." "It's the truth." "And we rely on truth to make judgments, don't we?" "What if our judgment is wrong, even when we know for a fact that it must be right?" "Do we rely on our eyes or do we believe in the impossible?" "You see, one way to achieve the impossible is to change the climate." "The French say I am uncivilized ruler." "I, who have spent entire life attempting to teach self history, literature, and science." "Why would they print such things, Your Majesty?" "You are English." "You should not be so surprised." "Well, I can still be appalled." "More importantly, do you, as a foreigner, see me in this light?" "I do not know all that you are, Your Majesty." "But I believe I know what you're not." "And you are not what they say." "Thank you, mem... for humble validation." "I have decided to give self anniversary dinner and invite important English nobles and diplomats." "I don't understand." "French Indochina grows stronger and more aggressive." "But if I improve our foreign intercourse with your queen's special envoy," "French will think three times before trying to undermine Siam." "That's very clever, Your Majesty." "As if to sound English bugles in own defense." "You shall take charge of all formalities as mem is obvious choice to make certain guests feel at home." "But... the anniversary is when?" "Three weeks from yesterday." "Three weeks?" "!" "That's impossible." "Mem..." "The egg is in the bottle." "Only half a glass." "We cannot have the servant bowing every time somebody walks into the banquet." "I understand." "Just for one night." "Thank you, Your Majesty." "Sorry for nervousness." "This is first time in Siam history that king allow everyone to stand up in his presence." "But only for tonight." "Your country and mine have much in common, Your Majesty." "Rich cultures." "Long histories." "And now, it seems, Mrs. Leonowens." "Yes." "My children's horizons keep expanding under her tutelage." "My husband and I have been stationed all over the Orient." "But I must say..." "I've never seen anything quite like this." "Extraordinary, isn't it?" "Grand Palace born from the mind of King Taksin." "First man to unify all Siam." "Our country owes its creation to a man they declared insane." "Well, these rooftops are a little nutty." "He endeavored to build an empire, but the nobility that ran Siam for generations had grown tired of his wars and replaced him with Mongkut's grandfather, someone they could influence." "Taksin they put in a velvet sack, beaten to death with a sandalwood club, and buried somewhere in palace." "Oh, dear." "It sounds as though you admire him, general." "I admire vision, Lady Bradley, in all its forms." "Forgive me, Your Majesty." "I believe the sun set a little earlier today." "Mem." "You arrange all this to influence positive future of Siam." "And now you steal attention away from it." "Well, that was not my intention, Your Majesty." "Mrs. Leonowens." "What a delightful surprise, encountering such an enchanting countryman." "And so far from home." "Lord Bradley, this is indeed a great honor." "I'm half-crazy" "All for the love of you" "It won't be a stylish marriage" "I can't afford a carriage" "But you'll look sweet upon the seat" "Of a bicycle made for two" "Gracious ladies, kind sirs, on behalf of 68 brothers and sisters, we thank you immeasurably and bid you most gracious evening." "Your son bears a striking resemblance to his father, Mrs. Leonowens." "I had the good fortune of serving with him a few years ago." "He was a courageous soldier, ma'am." "I thank you, Captain Blake." "Father, may I please kiss good night?" "If I may beg indulgence for not wishing to break family tradition." "I will be there in your dreams as you will be in mine." " Good night." " Good night." "You have a remarkable family, King Mongkut." "A remarkably large one." "Hardly seems fair." "All these women for one man." "Makes me wish I was Siamese myself." "Mycroft Kincaid..." "of East India Trading Company." "Correct?" "Guilty as charged, Your Majesty." "Mr. Kincaid's company is merely one of the ways we try to foster economic relations with other countries, Your Majesty." "Also, I think, to arrive at forefront of world in wealth and power." "Yes?" "Still, progress through commerce is logic." "King find most practical and excellent topic for discussion." "With all due respect, Your Majesty, it is a little far-fetched to think that commerce alone will bring progress to your people." "Especially when they're awash with superstition and fear." "Like your lovely concubines here with their talismans, worn, no doubt, to protect them from us foreign devils." "A friend once said, Mr. Kincaid," "English also have fantastical beliefs." "Or am I mistaking your country for being land of Merlin and Camelot?" "Point taken, Your Majesty." "However, there is no arguing the superiority of the English." "And in the light of these dreadful massacres up and down your border, it's no wonder you're seeking our favor." "Superiority, Mr. Kincaid?" "I do not recall anyone being given the right to judge whose culture or customs are superior." "Especially when those judging have frequently done so at the point of gun." "Would you not agree, Your Majesty?" "Quite." "Well... the evenings here are certainly warmer than in London." "Hear, hear!" "A night made to order for anniversary party." "Especially for a king who is most charitable and forgiving." "To our host!" "A true gentleman, generous in every way." "May history mark this occasion as the first step towards forging an alliance between our two countries." "His Majesty!" "And in honor of our most distinguished guests a waltz, as is European custom of dancing after dinner." "I must tell you, Your Majesty, that I have not done this in some time and, seeing as the evening has gone so well, we wouldn't want to end up in a heap now, would we?" "I am king." "I shall lead." "I never danced with an Englishwoman before, mem." "Nor I with a king." "I want you to make promise, mem, to always tell king what you think, no matter what." "Like to man from East India Company." "I always have." "Mem." "You're humming." "Yes, I suppose I am." "As alarming as this may sound, Beebe, I'm feeling rather at home here now." "What charming people, hm?" "You remember when this marketplace used to terrify us?" "Like it was yesterday." "I was afraid that dinner might unsettle you." "All those Englishmen in uniform." "Yes." "I thought it would make me miserably homesick." "Quite the opposite." "I rather enjoyed myself." "Even the dancing." "Shall we get some of these?" "And how did His Majesty fare amongst all your countrymen?" "He was charming." "Absolutely charming." "I don't think I'll ever forget how he stood there, holding his hand out as if I was..." "One of his 26 wives?" "Well, thank you, Beebe." "I hadn't thought of it in that way." "Well, perhaps you should." "I have a surprise for you." "How..." "How did you..." "I'm not quite sure, actually." "Thank you, mem." "My family... is very important to me." "I shall leave you to enjoy every word then." "Your Majesty?" " You sent for me?" " Ah, yes." "But here..." "Look." "Something tells me my little monkey did not go to bed" " night of anniversary." " Yes, I know." "I've been presented with drawings of couples dancing ever since." "Come." "Sit, please." "Perhaps you should simply say what it is you're trying so hard not to." "I share this with you, mem, because I believe you to be trustworthy." "Events are happening which I now believe to be of Burmese origin, and I fear that military action is unavoidable." "But Burma is British." "Yes." "Then it is not the French that you were worried about, was it?" "I see." "On table, mem, is small gift of appreciation for your many efforts at anniversary party." "Mem's hand has been lonely without such." "It is... most kind, Your Majesty." "It's very beautiful." "Though I am terribly grateful..." "It is custom to bestow favors for those who... who please king." "And mem has done so." "I'm sorry." "I cannot accept such generosity." "I hardly think ten days' rain warrants the call to battle, Louis." "May I suggest a retreat?" "Mother, I think I should have a topknot like the other boys." "I think you've gone a bit daft, darling." "With all this rain, it's no wonder." "I don't see why I have to miss school." "Because your classroom's under water, and I cannot have you ill." "My most precious Tuptim." "I know you will understand why I must write this to you." "When you were torn from my heart, I was left with nothing but my faith." "Which is why, I flam to live, I must devote my life to Buddha." "For only he can give me peace." "I will never forget you." "Fa-Ying was found in the garden, riddled with fever." "Difficult even for a grown man to survive such." "Cholera always in world but still hardly at all in Bangkok." " Is there nothing you can do?" " They have already begun." "Listen." "Phra Arahan." "Reminding soul to go to heaven and not lose way." "It is why mem must not be heard weeping, as her soul will attach to sadness and remain to comfort living." "His Majesty is grateful." "The little one has made frequent mention of sir's name." "Your Majesty?" "Being as the rain has stopped, the children hoped you might join them for a picnic." "Mem." "I will always remember your feelings for my daughter." "And you shall never forget you are not here to teach king." "The children miss you terribly, Your Majesty." "You cannot shut the world out for ever." "Believe me, I've tried." "When my Tom died, I thought that my heart would never mend." "But then there was Louis." "He was my salvation, you see." "And yet you still refuse to live." "I beg your pardon?" "A mother, a teacher, a widow." "But you're never just... woman." "That is not fair." "In spite of all you say, mem is not accepting passing of husband." "It is why you so protect son, and why you devote all time to books and issues, and why you cannot accept gift!" "Why are you doing this?" "Because you lie even to yourself." "So do not lecture me about living." "You are not qualified." "These hours are meant for sleep." "You startled me." "I thought it wise to do so." "May I ask what His Majesty is doing awake at such an ungodly hour?" "Gazing at the moon." "Yes, she's beautiful." "As the sun rises, she will surrender the night." "But she is always with him, even when he cannot see her." "That must be a great comfort to him." "Yes." "This come from Bangkok." "You may find it of some interest." " It's from..." " Yes." "Please to read." "As monkey has stolen king's spectacles." ""Your Majesty, the United States sincerely appreciates your generous offer to help end this tragic conflict. "" ""Unfortunately our country does not reach a latitude which favors the elephant. "" ""We are, however, highly grateful for this indication of friendship. "" ""Your good friend, Abraham Lincoln. "" "I admire this man for what he is trying to do for his people." "They say at the Battle of Antietam, 70,000 men killed each other in one day." "And each one of those soldiers has a father who grieves." "I'm father to all of Siam." "Mem is not wrong about moving on." "Neither were you, Your Majesty." "When we return, it is time for teacher to teach Chulalongkorn and others any subject she wish, as long as king know first, so can be prepared for consequences." "I will do my best, Your Majesty." "And I was always believing Englishwomen slept in hats!" "I have been wondering, mem." "When it's my son's time to become king, will he be a good one?" "Well, he is still a boy, Your Majesty." "But a keenly intelligent one, with a warm heart and sympathetic soul." "Qualities, I believe, of a great king." "I want to thank you for bringing me here - to Siam." "I cannot imagine anywhere I would rather be." "Were you happy in Bombay?" "I was never unhappy." "But..." "I find myself traveling from place to place, wondering where it is that I belong exactly." "And I find myself here." "Your path is as it should be." "My mind has taken me down many roads of late." "All of which lead absolutely nowhere." "What would Buddha say of that?" "That roads are for journeys, mem." "Not destinations." "Don't your wives ever get jealous?" "I do not understand significance of question." " Forgive me." "I was prying." " No." "Please, continue." "Well, most of the world believes that a man and a woman should share a relationship which is sacred only unto themselves." "Each one of my wives believes same about king." "Not everyone can marry you, Your Majesty." "Good thing." "King need his rest sometime." "You said my instincts were good." "And what are they telling you?" "That you are not drinking either." "All the bodies were stripped and left to the sun." "I fear Prince Chowfa and Alak were cremated with the others." "May their souls rest in peace." "You couldn't have prevented your brother's death, Your Majesty." "Send my armies north." "If Burma wants this war, they shall have it." "Lord Bradley?" "Lady Bradley, Mr. Kincaid." "If I might have a moment of your time." "I'm afraid a moment is all we have." "We are leaving on the next boat, and so should you." " My life is here, Lady Bradley." " Nasty business." "All this sabre-rattling." "Not good for trade, I can tell you." "The king's brother is most likely dead, as is his general." "I would hardly call his action unprovoked." "What can I do for you, Mrs. Leonowens?" "Are the British behind these attacks on Siam?" "Huh!" "Stick to teaching, Mrs. Leonowens!" "It's obvious you know nothing about politics." "Burma would not make a move without England's blessing." "That I know." "Precisely." "But if this crisis isn't resolved soon and a country under our protection is threatened, we will have no choice but to defend our interests." "Our protection?" "Our interests?" "The ways of England are the ways of the world, my dear." "They are the ways of one world, Lady Bradley." "One I am ashamed to call my own." "You forget yourself, madam." "Now if you'll excuse us." "No, I will not." "You raised your glass to him!" "You commended him for his vision." "And all the while you were waiting to take his country from him." "How the empire conducts its business is really none of your concern." "The last time I inquired, Lord Bradley, I was still a British subject." "A fact you would do well to remember next time you're cheek to cheek with the king." "What is it?" "Oh, my dear girl." "What have you done?" "What I have done is not result of king or intention to dishonor." "A concubine's heart is of no consequence to king, consumed with matters of the whole universe." "But, Tuptim, why did you not come to me?" "The king might have understood." "You simply can't do this to him - not now!" "If love was a choice, who would ever choose such exquisite pain?" "This is what I need His Majesty to know." "If such does not compromise you." "I will tell him anything you wish." "I thank Buddha for giving me direction." "And now, with mem before me," "I thank him for giving me true friend." "He wrote to me to bid me farewell, believing I was lost for ever to the inside." "So committed his life to monastery!" "Stop it!" "Do you hear me?" "!" "Don't you dare lay another hand on that woman!" "She has done nothing but to try and find happiness!" "Do not touch me!" "I will go to the king!" "He will put an end to this savagery!" "Thank you for seeing me, Your Majesty." "I was told by your prime minister this was none of my concern." "It is none of mem's concern." "And king is seeing you now to tell you same himself." "Forgive me, but..." "I do not wish for you to talk more on this, mem." "To king or anyone." " I was only trying..." " Tuptim broke law!" "By loving someone?" ""Sacrifice your life for truth. "" ""Persecute no man. " Are these not the teachings of Buddha?" "I am king!" "And I say enough!" "You asked me to always tell you what I think." "What you think... and what you do and how... and when you do them are not the same thing." "If you believe I wish to execute this girl..." "But now, because you say to court you can tell king what to do," "I cannot intervene as I had planned." "Intervene?" "After they're tortured?" "Yes!" "But you, a woman and a foreigner, have made it seem king at your command." "You have made me appear weak." "And impossible for me to step in and not lose face!" " But you are the king." " To remain such," "I cannot undermine ability to command loyalty," " which I must have to keep country secure." " You have the power..." "Now is not the time to change the way that things are done!" "Well, if not now, then when?" "How many more people must die so that you might save face?" "!" "Go home, mem." "You help enough for one day." "For the life of me, I don't know how you people can stand this heat." "You have five minutes, Mr. Kincaid." "I suggest you not waste them." "I don't suppose I could have a glass of water?" "Right." "Then I'll come straight to the point." "As you know, I do a lot of business with the Siamese, many of whom have ended up dead in recent months." "Which, as I have discovered, is all part of some elaborate plot to make you think we British are the villains." "I happen to know we are not." "The acquisition of a particular little piece of information has cost me a small fortune." "But the fact is, when all is said and done," "I make more money with Mongkut on the throne, so" "I think I'm about to become your best friend." "Your Majesty, Alak will not stop until all of your children are in velvet sacks." "Kincaid said he'll blame the coup on Burma, then launch a full-scale attack using your troops already protecting the border." "Alak seeks to finish what Taksin only dreamed of." "Taksin was insane." "No." "He was betrayed." "As we are now." "How long before Alak reaches the city?" "A week." "Maybe less." "And my armies?" "They will never reach the palace in time." "Then he has already won." "I will evacuate the royal family at once." "No." "Recall the army." "And announce to the people we have just received glad tidings." "Glad tidings, Your Majesty?" "Mother, doesn't "chahng see kao" mean white elephant?" " Do you think they've found one?" " Yes." "In Prachin Buri." "Entire village has seen it." "The first in 20 years!" " I'll see to our tickets." " I don't want to go, Mother." "I don't want to leave my friends." " The king has done good things too." " Your mother has much on her mind." "You said the Siamese people are just like us." "And what about Chulalongkorn?" "Doesn't he matter any more?" "Believe me, darling." "I wish this could all be very different." "It is the right decision." "We must go." "Sir." "You of all are most aware there are certain boundaries I cannot cross." "One being to contradict king." "Yes." "And God help him." "Excuse me." "Passage for four on the Newcastle." "Thank you." "There is no white elephant, sir." "King invented sighting at Prachin Buri so he can escort royal family to greet imaginary beast, as in tradition." "I don't understand." "There is a traitor marching on palace." "Deception's only purpose is to hide children in monastery in village of Nong Khai." "Please, mem." "My king believes you are wise." "You are only one who can persuade him to stay with children until army returns to Bangkok and palace is secure." "Please, mem." "I have just been informed of the nature of your expedition, Your Majesty." "And I would like to ask a few questions about the dangers involved as I've heard, at times, wild elephants cannot be reasoned with." "I am surprised Kralahome took time to arouse such curiosity rather than make sure mem not miss her boat." "We have already missed our boat so that I might speak with you now." "King cannot miss his boat." "If it will not be inconvenient, we should like to go with you." "Jungle is no place for proper English teacher." "No, it is not, Your Majesty." "Which is why the presence of one in your cortege might help ensure your display." "Something I feel, for many reasons," "I would very much like to do." "When a woman who has much to say says nothing, her silence can be deafening." "I wish to thank you, mem, for your courage." "I thought I never wanted to see you again." "I had a vision of young Tuptim and of Balat." "I think by touching us all they have fulfilled their destiny and attained eternal peace." "Through birth and rebirth, we Buddhists hope to learn from our mistakes." "You told me once that I had never accepted the loss of my husband." " I had no right." " No, no." "That was true." "I now realize that it is not enough to just survive." "That life is... precious." "Especially if you're Christian and only allowed to have one." "Why did you come back?" "Because I could not imagine a Siam without you." "What has happened?" "You and the children must go on to Nong Khai without me." "I will meet you there." "I can see it in your eyes." "Something awful has happened." "Was not to be this way, mem." "Alak's army has found us." "If he crosses the bridge, everything I love will die." " But they're only children." " Yes." "And each one heir to throne." "Now... you must hurry." " What will you do?" " Blow up the bridge." "But will that stop him?" "It will - if he's on it." "Your Majesty, promise me..." "Promise me that I will see you again." "If your Bible is correct, whole world created in seven days." "Therefore possible handful of men can stop an army." "But, Father, never has such an expedition excluded royal children." "My son, there are many things you will come to understand when you are older." "Why can't I stay with you?" "Because I need you to lead our family to the monastery!" "There is no white elephant, is there?" "Come." "Come." "Mother, come look!" "The king is waiting on the bridge." " What?" " There's hundreds of men on the other side." "Wait!" "Stop the carriage." "You!" "Why did you not go to monastery like king order?" "Because I lost one man to the jungle, Your Majesty." "I was not about to let that happen again." "Mem Anna not fully to blame, Father." "After all, you did put me in charge." "To sound English bugles in own defense." "Yes." "When king say handful of men could save all Siam, he was most unusually" "incorrect." "And it be then that all ears hear what all eyes suddenly see." "Great white beast in infinite splendor!" "Where's the beast?" "Great white beast!" "And as people rejoice with overwhelming joy," "most excellent conclusion to expedition echoed in every corner of Siam." "The end!" "Perfect!" "You were wonderful!" "Very, very good." "Mem, this is play to commemorate monumental occasion and we make fools of selves because of insufficient practice." "I understand truly, Your Highness." "But the celebration was tonight!" "We were duty-bound, were we not?" " Were we not?" " Yes!" "I want you all to imagine next year, when you've had time to perfect things." "Then your father will be even more proud of you than he already is." "And you, mem?" "Will you be?" "I will always be proud of you, my children." "I... ordered this some time ago for the children, you know." "It's a fine example of scientific thinking, as music is mathematical in nature." "Chords constructed from notes in intervals of thirds, and so on, and so on." "Precisely." "I would like to know... why, if science can unravel something as beautiful as music, why it cannot posit a solution for a schoolteacher and a king." "The manner in which people might understand such new possibilities is also process of evolution." "Everything in Siam has its own time." "Even if king is also wanting it to be different." "I still must go, Your Majesty." "So, where is it you will be going?" "England." "Home." "This is good, mem." "Very good for Louis as well." "What?" "Am wondering if, given circumstances," "it is appropriate for king to ask" "Anna to dance." "I have danced with a king before, Your Majesty." "And I an Englishwoman." "Until now," "Madam Leonowens," "I did not understand supposition man could be satisfied with only one woman." "I was only a boy, but the image of my father holding the woman he loved for the last time has remained with me throughout the years." "It is always surprising how small a part of life is taken up by meaningful moments." "Most often they are over before they start, although they cast a light on the future and make the person who originated them unforgettable." "Anna had shined such a light on Siam."