Page:Leaves from my Chinese Scrapbook - Balfour, 1887.djvu/197

 "We don't want you to do anything very difficult," replied little Pomegranate. " All you will have to do is to prepare a crimson flag embroidered in gold with the sun, moon, and stars, and then hoist it to the east of the flowers at daybreak on the first morning of each new year; then we shall feel quite safe. As regards the present year, New Year's Day, of course, is past, so please do it on the 21st of the present moon at dawn instead, when there is just the faintest breath of east wind; then there will be no fear of any recurrence of what happened yesterday."

"That is easy enough," replied the sage politely. "You may certainly rely upon my doing what you ask." Then they all thanked him with one voice, producing a concert of the most melodious music in the world, and said they would never forget his goodness. But no sooner had they finished speaking than off they started as fleetly as if they had wings, waving a smiling adieu to the bewildered philosopher as he panted after them without the smallest chance of being able to catch them up. Suddenly he felt a puff of fragrant wind in his face, and all the fairies simultaneously disappeared.

The next day he set to work, and prepared a splendid flag, in accordance with little Pomegranate's request. On the 21st of the moon he rose before daylight, and, sure enough, there was a little breath of east wind blowing; so he made haste to run it up, and then awaited the result. He had not long to wait. In less time than it takes to write it, a tremendous hurricane sprang up which shook the very earth; the air was filled with whirling dust and flying stones; all the forests in the neighbourhood were injured, and huge trees torn up by