“Why,” said he, “I have all these bright and beautiful things. I have the beautiful sky, and water, and birds, and flowers, too! I have the sun, and the moon, and the stars, just as you have! I never thought of that before!”
“Of course you have,” replied Yen. “You have all that is mine, and I all that is yours, yet neither can take from the other!”
THE DECEPTIVE MAT
When Tsin Yen was about eight years old, he and his little brother were one fine day enjoying a game of battledore and shuttlecock on the green lawn, which their father had reserved as a playground for their use. The lawn was a part of a very elaborate garden laid out with many rare flowers and ferns and exquisite plants in costly porcelain jars. The whole was enclosed behind high walls.
It was a very warm day and the garden gate had been left open, so that the breeze could better blow within. A man stood outside the gate, watching the boys. He carried a small parcel under his arm.
“Will not the jewel eyes of the honorable little ones deign to turn my way?” he cried at last.
Tsin Yen and Tsin Yo looked over at him.
“What is your wish, honorable sir?” asked Tsin Yen.
And the man replied: “That I may be allowed space in which to spread my mat on your green. The road outside is dusty and the insects are more lively than suits my melancholy mood.”