"I do not need wealth, nor any of the poor fleeting pleasures that this
world can offer. Let your Majesty come with me instead, and visit my
abode of rest."
"What is it like, this place," inquired the King in wonder, "that it can
render its inhabitants indifferent to what we esteem the most desirable
of all things in this life?"
"It is situated far from here," replied Thomana, "and the approach to it
is a broad, long avenue of gorgeous blossoms, such as you have never
dreamed of, that bloom for ever, with a perfume that is at once dreamy,
drowsy, and infinitely sweet; vast sprays of water spring from the
mouths of silver dragons; over head the branches of trees interlace,
showing but a strip of blue sky through their quivering leaves. For
hours can you wander amongst these mazes of roses, this wonder of colour
and beauty. At the end of the grove is situated an immense tree, larger
than aught that you have seen and higher than any eye could reach. It is
surrounded by columns of marble that glow like jewels. Here the nāts
and fairies dwell, with nothing to disturb their seclusion and solitude
save the sound of falling waters and the song of birds. While over all
is cast such a spell as this life does not hold. Ah! beside the
perfection of that world, how poor and valueless are the things of this!
There one talks with the gods and dwells in worlds beyond the sun. There
is no room for regrets or for desires. There every one is beautiful,
therefore we do not covet beauty. There wealth is common to all,
therefore we do not desire it. There all are equal, and love and
goodness are the aim and end of all things. Come and see for yourself,"
he added.
And the King, marvelling greatly at what he had heard, went. And there,
in the midst of those divine surroundings, with naught to disturb the
mind from the good, he wandered, awed and silent, but not afraid. In
those cool, wide halls of bliss, all memories of grosser things and ways
faded into nothingness. He forgot his kingdom, and was by it forgot.
[Illustration: THE SHWAY DAGONE PAGODA.]