The Girl Who Played Go

Perhaps if he focused on the purity of his love for her. Gautama thought about the day he chose her to be his wife. She was sixteen, he was nineteen. He had given up on finding Sujata but was far from losing her memory. When it was announced that he was to be betrothed, eager fathers drove a long distance to present their daughters in faraway Kapilavastu. Nobles, princes, and kings of neighboring domains crossed the border with elaborate entourages of slaves and horses. Siddhartha sat on the ramparts looking down at the scene with Channa. БЂњIf the interviews are too much for you, I can always take a few off your hands,БЂ«Channa said. Some of the younger girls were barely twelve; it wasnБЂ™t expected that he would live with them immediately-arrangements would be made. But delay was only temporary. Suddhodana couldnБЂ™t be put off. БЂњChoose a girl who plays with dolls, choose an old maid of nineteen,БЂ«the king said. БЂњBut you canБЂ™t walk away without choosing someone.БЂ«They both knew that the future of the dynasty was at stake ...»