THE HERO ENTERS SUDDENLY 



through resistance. She will test even the 

 homes of the little creatures that live 

 among our branches. Careless workman- 

 ship will not survive. The searching out 

 will cost some little beings their lives. But 

 this is not so cruel as it would appear. The 

 weak and the ailing alone succumb. Na- 

 ture allows these beings, to whom pro- 

 longed inactivity would be torture, no pos- 

 sibility of dragging out a lengthy, wretched 

 existence. There is no lasting infirmity, no 

 forlorn old age possible in this realm. It 

 would have no meaning, no benefit, no 

 place here. 



"But do not needlessly subject yourself to 

 the violence of any storm, O human child. 

 Go to your shelter. Well for you if it has 

 been constructed on right principles. Woe 

 to you if careless workmanship has made it 

 unsafe; for even one insufficient layer of 

 mortar, one loosely placed brick, may cause 

 35 



