Birth of the Calf 



21 



generous in their return of fruit and shade ; 

 and here a few monks led a life of retirement 

 and introspection. Each morning they passed 

 through the village clad in robes of saffron, 

 holding the bowls which were eagerly filled 

 with choice morsels for the midday meal ; 

 every day the boys of the village sat in rows 

 on the polished floors of the dim hall, and 

 learnt to read and write, imbibing at the same 

 time the ancient precepts of hospitality and 

 goodwill to mankind. 



The monastery was never silent. During 

 the day there was the chatter of the children 

 or the sing-song reading from the old books ; 

 during the evening the gongs 

 were sending ripples of sound 

 through the warm air. Even 

 at night, when all slept, the 

 tinkling of the pagoda bells 

 rose and fell with the passing 

 breezes ; and when the day 

 broke and the sun suddenly 

 leaped from the horizon the 

 gilded peepul leaves, which struck 



