Gentola—Here are two varieties of berries, and were I on earth I should say that they are raspberries and blackberries. Taste them? Shall I? They are slightly acidulous and well flavored, but do not taste like either raspberries or blackberries. These pretty scarlet berries look like very large cranberries.
De L'Ester—Do not taste them; they are not berries, but what you may term Ento Capsicum.
Gentola—Thanks for your warning. I have a sort of mania for tasting things, so, if you do not object, I shall taste this grapelike fruit. It is delicious, quite like fine raisins. I am especially fond of grapes, so, if in the dim future I must again become re-embodied, this fine fruit might induce in me a desire to be reborn on Ento. De L'Ester, that reminds me of a question I have wished to ask. After the change called death can spirits choose their homes? Yes, I mean the locality and their manner of living.
De L'Ester—Time and opportunity permitting, I always am pleased to reply to your questions. As both are limited I must reply briefly. Spirits, while yet in the physical body, in a sense earn their homes, or places, they must occupy on our side of life, and also in a sense they have a choice as to the place of their abode, but the choice must be made while on the physical plane. As you have learned, spirits are entities, individualized personalities, requiring homes, associations and pursuits. According as life on the physical plane has been elevated, pure, loving, true, or the reverse, so are spirit homes and pursuits beautiful and supremely enjoyable, or lamentably wretched. All newly-freed spirits gravitate to the sphere and condition for which their degree of evolvement has fitted them, there to remain until they have progressed to a more exalted state of being. Do all spirits progress? Most assuredly. Evolution is not confined to the physical plane. Progress, everywhere, is continuous. Yes, spirits, who through countless trials and experiences have earned the exalted position of teachers, lovingly, patiently labor to aid all unevolved freed spirits to outgrow conditions which, like soiled garments, cling to those of the lower or Earth spirit sphere. Seldom does a newly-freed spirit gravitate to the higher realms. Only exalted spirits, who, for some special purpose, have become re-embodied, do, when freed from the physical body, return to their former place of abode, or, perhaps, to a higher sphere.
The legend of Jacob's ladder, on which angels descended and ascended into heaven, is a fitting symbol of the spirit's progress. Ever descending angel teachers reach downward to those walking in darkness on both the mortal and the spirit side of life, instructing, inspiring, encouraging and strengthening them, until emerging from the shadows of sense, their quickened vision perceives the descending angels of love, and with eager, outreaching hands and trembling feet, they strive to climb the ladder of eternal progress, finding on each round the home, the place, the plane suited to the degree of their advancement. Have I made myself understood?
Gentola—Yes, as far as I am fitted to comprehend such an abstruse matter. Another question occurs to me. You have said that certain Ento and other planetary spirits visit Earth's spirit spheres. Can they also come to our planet, as you and other spirits come?
De L'Ester—Yes, after they have learned how to accommodate themselves to Earth's conditions. Some Ento friends who are learning this strange process soon will be able to visit you in your own home. Not another question, I beg. We have already consumed too much time.
George—If you are ready to descend from celestial to terrestrial affairs, come to the adjoining room, Gentola̤, and tell us what you think of its contents.
Gentola—What do I think of its contents? Well, I think that if these ears are not corn they are surprisingly like it, and in this round receptacle is a white grain very like, though considerably larger than grains of rice. And here is a small, round, black grain of which evidently this dark meal is a product. I wonder if Giantess makes bread of it? What a noise! What is it, De L'Ester?
De L'Ester—As there is nothing more of note here, we will learn what occasions the disturbance. Ah, it is the family returning, and what a spectacle! Giant holding at arm's length a reptile which writhes and coils about his arm, and now, playfully, he thrusts it toward the children, who are in an ecstasy of excitement and delight.