Lotus Bud’s Quest

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 226, 20 June 1936, Page 25

Lotus Bud’s Quest

An Eastern Tale by San Toy (13), Hastings. Lotus Bud sat sadly beside the water-lily pond, and two great tears welled up in her dark, almond-shaped eyes. She brushed them away half impatiently and gazed again into the pond. Behind her her home stood silent and in mourning. The servants’ noisy voices were hushed, -for her brother lay dying. A sweet, melodious note broke upon her train of thoughts. Slowly she raised her head and gazed at the songster, a little red-and yellow bird, watching it preen itself with a sad little smile. How could the birds go on singing while she was so sad? Suddenly she was on her feet quivering with eagerness, for there among the foam of white blossoms she had caught sight of a spray of red flowers. Parting the leaves and white blossoms she plucked them and gazed at them, her face shining with delight. Yes. it was the Hundred Years Blossoms —the blood flowers of Lang Yo. Who did not know the age-old story of how Lang Yo, the great god, had fought the evil Fang Lee in that very garden, and how as lie was leaving the scene of his victory the blood from one of his wounds fell on a cluster of thecherry tree’s flowers, staining them a blood-red. And bow if the blossoms were taken and placed before the image of Lang Yo nt midnight, the golden goblet which stood at the god’s feet would be tilled with the wine of life, which would cure liny illness. Lotus resolved to save her brother. Lou Whig, from death. The gong for the midday meal rang, so tucking the blossoms in the wide sleeve of her coat, she ran obediently to its summons. Dong! The last chime of midnight died away in eerie silence. Lotus Bud crouched by her bedroom door and gazed into the inky blackness in front of her. Dare she go? Oh, if only the moon would shine out from behind the clouds! For quarter of an' hour she waited there, praying for the moon to light those dark passages. At last she realised that if she waited much longer one o’clock would chime, the midnight hour would be over, and the spell be broken. She could not go! Oh. those brass images of the .terrible Chinese gods—in the day they were bad enough; but now. at. night! She shivered and glanced at the flowers in her hand. Were those precious blossoms that had taken so long to bloom to be wasted? Was her brother to die just because of her lack of courage? No! Lotus jumped to her feet and raced silently through the maze of passages to the middle of the house, where the staircase began to wind up to the tower room, where for ages long the gods of her household had reigned in honour supreme. As she reached the tower room door she halted, placed her hand on it, slowly opened it and peered in. The room was in darkness, but even so that did not altogether hide those hideous creatures of brass. Their shining bodies glinted through the darkness. Lotus took a step toward Lang Yo’s image and bowed low three times. As she rose the moon burst from behind the clouds and shone on the grinning images round the walls. Lotus paused and sent a look of terror round the room. The grins and twists on their faces turned to leers. They seemed to mock her: any minute one might put out a hand and pluck her up and bear her away to the underworld. She turned her attention again to Lang Yo, and held the flowers out. Did something move in the corner there? A stir seemed to run round the room, and

great beads of perspiration stood out on her forehead. Then something did move - file staff in Lang Yo’s hand .struck three sonorous notes on the gong nearby. Lotus tried to run, but something held her there. She con'd not move. Down from liis pedestal stepped Lang Yo. “What brings you here to disturb the peace of the midnight hour?” he asked. Lotus threw herself at his feet, and held out the blos'oms and begged for the wine of life. Lang Yo took tb<-

flowers, then said. “Is that all you have for me? The price for the wine is often dear." Lotus unclasped the jewelled butterfly from her trousers and handed it “There is something else.” he said. Lotus shook her head. Yes. _ Hjs eyes fell'to her neck. Lotus instinctively clutched the queer necklace ot magic charms that hung there. “No!” she gasped. “’Tis that or there is no wine to save your brother. See, even novi lie crosses the Bridge of Death.” He waved his stuff and she saw her brother lying still and prone on his bed. the pallor of death on his face. . Lotus tore frantically at her neck. “Take it." she cried; give me the wine oli, great Lang. I crave pardon for refusing you so small u thing where lite anil death are concerned.” r xAs she said, these words her brother stirred, and the vision faded. Lang lo took the necklace and handed her the golden goblet. It was brimful of the rich red wiue of life. Then he stepped back to his pedestal. Lotus took the wine and hastened out of the room. As she readied the door a stir ran round the room. She gave one backward glance and ran—nothing should take the wine from her now she had given so much for it. , Loins Bud reached her brother’s room and breathed a sigh ot reliel to linn him alone. With fingers shaking witli eagerness she held the goblet to his pale lips. Like magic the change came. Instantly his breathing became natural ami the colour came back to his cheeks. He stirred, opened his eyes and smiled, then closed them and slept again. Lotus crept silently from the room and back up the stairs to the tower room to replace the goblet. As she replaced it she noticed that Lang’s right hand, which was usually clasped over his left hand on the staff, was extended, holding out her necklace. “Take it,” a voice came from the image, “it is thine. Thy faith has. been wel tried.” She took it, and as she did so the arm dropped and a deep sigh echoed through the room. “Thank you.” murmured Lotus from the door, and as she closed it the moon faded behind the clouds and the clock chimed one. Her task was over. Next morning Lotus Bud was wakened by a smiling servant. My brother, she asked, “is he well?” The servant nodded. “Yes. indeed. In the middle of the night, he says, a goddess gave him the wine of life from the golden cup of Lang Yo, and he is cured.” „ . . . . Lotus Bud lay back and smiled a deep Smile of mysterious content.