Page:Shantiniketan; the Bolpur School of Rabindranath Tagore.djvu/85

Rh voice a hymn to the sun. A band of younger boys with baskets in their hands are filling them with flowers from the woods. Near by the wife of their Guru, as she comes from the river, is pouring a little water from a pitcher on to the roots of each tree, and smiles as she looks with tenderness at the boys.

Thus while the fresh calmness of early morning rests on the scene, Ved begins to explain to the boys with a voice full of joy the sacred mysteries of God. Gazing on the radiant face of their Guru the boys began to listen attentively. When the morning reading was finished two or three deer came to the place where they were, and began to nestle with their warm breath and soft noses against the boys’ bodies. A few of the students, however, remained seated in silent thought quite motionless.

Then one of the older boys, named Utonka, came up, and having bowed before his Guru’s feet said with clasped hands:

“To-day my time of discipline is finished. I have by your love gained strength. My body has become strong and my mind bright and happy. I have seen the glory of the sun and moon and have felt a Power in the glowing fire.