The resolution came to him one night that Wio-wani should teach him. So he took a large piece of rice-paper and strained it, and sitting down opposite “Wio-wani’s back-door,” began painting. He had never set himself so big a task as this; by the dim stumbling light of his candle he strained his eyes nearly blind over the difficulties of it; and at last was almost driven to despair. How the trees stood row behind row, with air and sunlight between, and how the path went in and out, winding its way up to the little door in the palace-wall were mysteries he could not fathom. He peered and peered and dropped tears into his paint-pots; but the secret of the mystery of such painting was far beyond him.
The door in the palace-wall opened; out came a little old man and began walking down the pathway towards him.
The soul of Tiki-pu gave a sharp leap in his grubby little body. “That must be Wio-wani himself and no other!” cried his soul.
Tiki-pu pulled off his cap and threw himself down on the floor with reverent grovellings. When he dared to look up again Wio-wani stood over him big and fine; just within the edge of his canvas he stood and reached out a hand.
“Come along with me, Tiki-pu!” said the great one. “If you want to know how to paint I will teach you.”
“Oh, Wio-wani, were you there all the while?” cried Tiki-pu ecstatically, leaping up and clutching with his smeary little puds the hand which the old man extended to him.
“I was there,” said Wio-wani, “looking at you out of my little window. Come along in!”
Tiki-pu took a heave and swung himself into the picture, and fairy capered when he found his feet among the flowers of Wio-wani’s beautiful garden. Wio-wani had turned, and was ambling gently back to the door of his palace, beckoning to the small one to follow him; and there stood Tiki-pu, opening his mouth like a fish to all the wonders that surrounded him. “Celestiality, may I speak?” he said suddenly.
“Speak,” replied Wio-wani; “what is it?”
“The Emperor, was he not the very flower of fools not to follow when you told him?”