Where the Heart Finds Peace

On the right side of the path stood a great tree, its branches lush and leafy.

Beneath it lay a patch of level ground, green grass fine as silk.

Song You walked over, stopped with his staff braced against the ground, then turned to look at the great tree, his face thoughtful.

Then a smile appeared on his lips.

A moment later, the Taoist priest continued onward.

Yet an ancient bell now hung from the lush, leafy tree. Auspicious cloud patterns and scenes of the four seasons were engraved upon it. Beside the tree, there was also an extra boulder, bearing several lines of writing:

"There are few people in these mountains, and this Taoist priest is lazy and slow. Should an old friend arrive, please ring this bell, that I may come greet you in person."

Only then did the Taoist priest make his way up the mountain.

The horse and the little girl followed behind.

Song You heard them talking. Three Flower Lady was quietly asking the horse whether it had spent the past two or three years grazing on this mountain, and where it sheltered from the rain. The horse did not answer.

When they reached the mountainside, a little higher up, an ancient and unadorned temple compound appeared before them.

An old pine stood before the temple gate, its branches spread like a canopy. Not far beneath the pine, part of the stream's spring water had been diverted into a small pond, then guided back into the brook below.

The pond water was clear, and aquatic grass grew thick within it.

"Flutter, flutter, flutter..."

Swallow flew onto the old pine. To him, its branches were like soft, level ground, like clouds that could be stepped upon.

"There are fish!"

Meanwhile, Three Flower Lady ran toward the