114 THE LAND OF PEACH BLOOM 



in pure gold and precious jadestone; right in front of all 

 was a splendid bronze censer containing smouldering sandal- 

 wood, from which a thin wreath of fragrant blue smoke 

 ascended to the rafters of the vast apartment. The fisher- 

 man was then conducted to the seat of honour on a dais, and 

 the Elder, having installed himself on his right, for the 

 left is the place of honour, commanded that a feast be 

 prepared, and that the notables of the place be invited to 

 attend, so that the stranger might be entertained in a 

 manner worthy of the traditions of the people. Never in 

 all his life had the poor fisherman received so much attention. 

 Eemonstrances on his part were all of no avail; he simply 

 had to submit to what was being done in his honour. 



As soon as he was seated an attendant brought flowing 

 robes for him to wear, lest he should feel embarrassed at 

 being differently clad to his hosts; others presented refresh- 

 ments, consisting of fruit, cakes, and wine. It was while 

 partaking of these good things that the Elder imparted to 

 him the following information. 



"There is no need," began the Elder, "for you to tell 

 us from whence you hail, or how you came; we are aware 

 of that already. But since you do not know where you are, 

 let me inform you at once that this is the land of Peach 

 Bloom, the land of sunshine and perfection, where nothing 

 ever goes wrong, where the voice of strife and discord is not 

 heard, and where we are far from the noise and wrangling 

 of the outer world to which you belong. Men have long 

 sought this happy land ; but they have sought in vain because 

 they know not the approach. There is only one road to it, 

 a road that is beset with hardships and difficulties, and only 

 those who are worthy may tread it. He who finds the road, 

 and comes to us, shares in all our joys; he who leaves us to 

 return once more to the dusty world of confusion may carry 

 back with him nothing beyond the memory of what he has 

 seen and the experience he has gained, which he is free to 

 use for the good of mankind at large, if he knows how. 

 We detain no one against his will. We have no evil-doers 

 in our midst, and so need no laws to safeguard our peace; 

 we have no battles to fight, and so need no implements of 

 war. No ailments or wasting disease afflict us ; no remedies 

 or cures are therefore needed. There are no crimes here 

 because there are no evil-doers ; for that reason we know no 

 remorse, no anguish of heart, no sorrow. Envy, spite, 

 hatred, selfishness, deceit, cunning, malice, —these, and all 

 unrighteousness, — have no place here. Our wealth is un- 

 limited, surpassing by a myriadfold the wealth of all your 

 earthly kings. Gold and silver and precious stones abound, 



