I have heard
That the Plain of Fat Melons
Is more than flat.
It is hollowed like a bowl.
And my purse
Was quite as flat.
Then the _Philadelphia North American_,
And _What To Do_, of Elgin,
Bought some of my stories—
Paying good round money—
Which the baker was quick to take from me.
Furthermore,
These papers
Have given permission
To put the stories in a Book.
And the Book
Is open before you.
The _North American_,
And _What To Do_,
Have been as kind to me
As Wu Ta Lang was
To the red cherry tree.
And I thank them—
Not once—but twice—
And twice that—
More times than there are leaves
In Hu Pei Forest.