Our ancestors left us examples of the love and respect that must be shown to the fatherland.

Here is an example of the Türkmen’s love for his fatherland.

At the period when Oguz Han’s state was not yet very powerful, taking advantage of this situation, a powerful state tried to capture Oguz land by war. The enemy sent a messenger and demanded the best horse in the Oguz country.

Oguz Han’s commanders put forward their ideas:

“The enemy is ill-meaning. Let us make war, but let us not give the pedigree horse.”

Oguz Han said to them:

“It is wrong to prefer the worst, when what is only worse is still possible. One never knows, we may lose all our horses if we are defeated. Give him the horse and let him go!”

The messenger that took the pedigree horse came back with more depressing news. This time the demand of the enemy was the most beautiful girl in the country. The commanders said:

“We can’t accept this shameful demand. This time they want us to surrender our honour. There is no way out except war.”

However, the prudent and far-sighted Oguz Han said:

“In case of a war, many a brave man may die. One never knows what may happen! If the enemy defeats us all at once, all our sisters, daughters, brides and wives may become slaves. It is frivolous to prefer the worst, when what is worse is still possible.”

The messenger took the most beautiful girl and came back with a more oppressive proposal, demanding land this time. Oguz Han who had realized war was approaching and had prepared his army cried:

“We shall give our heads, but we will not give land,” and immediately he declared war.

(246-247.)