Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/124

RV 119 (THE PEAR GARDEN), and caused the years to fall from one's shoulders like old autumn leaves.

When the last dancer had withdrawn and the music had ended, a little figure in a green silk costume strutted out into the center of the arena. He stood no taller than a soldier's knee, but his confidence was that of a giant. He was the littlest member of the Pear Garden, a gift to Ming Huang from the Persian envoy. His name was a mystery, but he called himself "The Green Lotus Man." In a squeaky voice he told weird tales of his travels, adventures and explorations. He denied that he was a dwarf, explaining that when he was small, a mean wizard had placed him in a pottery vase. There he had remained, a prisoner for years until he was strong enough to break his earthen prison. Then he ran away. In search of a home that was to his liking he had traveled the length and breadth of Asia. Now and then he was captured, and imprisoned for a while, a jovial slave of preposterous masters. He had remained with the Persian Envoy because he knew that he was to be given as a gift to the Emperor of All China. Though he were the smallest man on earth, it pleased him to belong to the greatest Emperor; besides he was homesick to be back among his own people. He had emerged from his mother's womb in Nanking.

Ming Huang had been fascinated by the little fellow. "I will make you a famous musician," he declared. But plans went somewhat awry. The little "Green Lotus Man" could not play a note of music, nor was he interested in any musical instrument except the conch shell. RV 119 (119)