Once upon a time in the ancient kingdom of Pagan (Bagan), there was a king named Anawrahta who insisted on having fresh flowers for his daily rituals – magical jasmine flowers. No wilted petals. No substitutions. Fresh.
But the flower garden was 3 hours away, one way. So naturally, the king needed a reliable flower-fetcher.
Enter Byatta, the royal messenger. Byatta was blazing fast like the Usain Bolt of medieval Myanmar, thanks to his super-speed gifted by mystical training. He was also hot, and I mean drop dead gorgeous. That means he gets constantly interrupted by fan girls wanting to date him. Well, he enjoyed the attention, so whenever he gets the chance, he flirts back… but he finishes his job first.
Every day, he would sprint up Popa Hill, grab the flowers, and zoom back before the king even finished his breakfast.
The Magical Hill and the Flower Gobbler
One fateful day, Byatta arrived at the magical hill and was greeted by the most bizarre sight. Amidst the sea of blossoms, there was Mei Wunna, a breathtakingly beautiful flower eating spirit with an unusual diet—she ate flowers. Yep, petals, stems, and all. She was like a walking compost bin, but a stunning one.
Byatta told Mei Wunna, “You know, you’re eating my king’s flowers. Should I arrest you or ask you out?”
Mei Wunna smirked, wiped some pollen off her lips, and replied, “Why don’t you try catching me first, fast boy?”
And just like that, Byatta was hooked.
Check this story of a vampire with ADHD.
The Flower-Picking Romance
Every day, Byatta returned to the hill, ostensibly to pick flowers for the king, but let’s be real—he was there for Mei Wunna. The two would flirt, laugh, and occasionally play “catch me if you can”.
The Love Story Blooms (But So Do the Excuses)
The next day, Byatta took way longer to return to the palace with the flowers. The king raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
The next day? Even longer.
The third day? No flowers at all—just a goofy-looking Byatta humming love songs with flowers braided into his hair.
King Anawrahta sent spies to follow Byatta. When the spies reported back, the king was furious. Byatta was promptly arrested, and Mei Wunna, heartbroken, vanished into the hill.
A Tragic Twist
The king, ever the dramatic ruler, ordered Byatta’s execution to teach everyone a lesson about duty and love… but mostly about what happens when you annoy the king.
Here’s the catch. Mei Wunna was pregnant with twins. When the twins grew up, they wanted to avenge their father’s death. But because they were brought up by love and respect by their mother. They wanted to avenge their father’s death by becoming better servants to the king.
The king, however, couldn’t believe that the sons wouldn’t want to kill him after what he did to their father. Instead, he ordered the two beheaded. But immediately upon their death, a strong storm swept through the palace —symbolizing their spiritual transcendence.
The Rise of the Nats
Their spirits refused to rest, fueled by the injustice of their deaths.
The cosmic forces turned them into Nats, or powerful spirit deities who could influence the mortal realm.
Now divine spirits, they became known as the Shwe Hpyin Brothers, protectors of justice and avengers of the wrongly accused.
Ironically, King Anawrahta, now terrified of supernatural retribution, ordered temples to be built in their honor and included them among the 37 Great Nats of Burmese mythology.
They are now worshipped and are often associated with brotherhood, loyalty, and justice. If you are ever seeking justice, offerings of betel nuts, cigars, and alcohol are what’s recommended during Nat festivals.
