Snow Egret's Joyful Song and Lecture

The forest wind was warm, the grass along the paths fragrant. Southwest of the sacred mountain lay a hot spring where few people ever came. Flowers bloomed in the valley, and fine trees cast linked shade beside the spring. The mountain spring vents steamed, and white mist in the wind rose like clouds and smoke. At a glance, grass and trees blurred together, clouds gathering in rosy splendor. The gauze-like fog divided the vast world, leaving only one comfortable pool of hot spring water, bringing a freedom beyond the dust of mortal life.

Migratory birds flew north and strayed into paradise. A pair of white egrets descended from the sky and rested for a while beside the warm spring water, softly trilling their long, lingering song. The male egret stretched his feathers, flapped his wings, and struck a proud pose. The female egret curved her neck around him, their long beaks touching, then folded her wings and preened her graceful feathers. This was a rare sight in early autumn, the two egrets calling in harmony, making the heart glad.

White egrets by the stream, joyfully together. The egrets frolicked in the water, and vapor scattered through the wind. Clouds and mist rose at once, leaving only the shadows of flying birds appearing and vanishing, faintly like a victorious scene from the homes of immortals, easing all worries at a glance. Before long, bursts of glad cries rose, and spring water fell drop by drop. Han E sang in a slow, graceful voice, like weeping and like laughter, the lingering notes circling the rafters without end; Liezi rode the wind, cool and unbound, praising it as good, roaming through the endless heavens and earth.

Lingering in the water, knowing no fatigue. At this moment, Xolotl forgot the troubles of the mundane