` Her tongue grows no shorter with the years , then ? ' the disciple smiled . ` Nor her desire for charms . I remember once when I spoke of the Wheel of Life ' -- the lama fumbled in his bosom for his latest copy -- ` she was only curious about the devils that besiege children . She shall acquire merit by entertaining us -- in a little while -- at an after-occasion -- softly , softly . Now we will wander loose-foot , waiting upon the Chain of Things . The Search is sure . ' So they travelled very easily across and among the broad bloomful fruit-gardens -- by way of Aminabad , Sahaigunge , Akrola of the Ford , and little Phulesa -- the line of the Siwaliks always to the north , and behind them again the snows . After long , sweet sleep under the dry stars came the lordly , leisurely passage through a waking village -- begging-bowl held forth in silence , but eyes roving in defiance of the Law from sky 's edge to sky 's edge . Then would Kim return soft-footed through the soft dust to his master under the shadow of a mango-tree or the thinner shade of a white Doon siris , to eat and drink at ease . At mid-day , after talk and a little wayfaring , they slept ; meeting the world refreshed when the air was cooler . Night found them adventuring into new territory -- some chosen village spied three hours before across the fat land , and much discussed upon the road . There they told their tale -- a new one each evening so far as Kim was concerned -- and there were they made welcome , either by priest or headman , after the custom of the kindly East . When the shadows shortened and the lama leaned more heavily upon Kim , there was always the Wheel of Life to draw forth , to hold flat under wiped stones , and with a long straw to expound cycle by cycle . Here sat the Gods on high -- and they were dreams of dreams . Here was our Heaven and the world of the demi-Gods -- horsemen fighting among the hills . Here were the agonies done upon the beasts , souls ascending or descending the ladder and therefore not to be interfered with . Here were the Hells , hot and cold , and the abodes of tormented ghosts . Let the chela study the troubles that come from over-eating -- bloated stomach and burning bowels . Obediently , then , with bowed head and brown finger alert to follow the pointer , did the chela study ; but when they came to the Human World , busy and profitless , that is just above the Hells , his mind was distracted ; for by the roadside trundled the very Wheel itself , eating , drinking , trading , marrying , and quarrelling -- all warmly alive .
Often the lama made the living pictures the matter of his text , bidding XXXXX -- too ready -- note how the flesh takes a thousand shapes , desirable or detestable as men reckon , but in truth of no account either way ; and how the stupid spirit , bond-slave to the Hog , the Dove , and the Serpent -- lusting after betel-nut , a new yoke of oxen , women , or the favour of kings -- is bound to follow the body through all the Heavens and all the Hells , and strictly round again .
Akrola Hells Kim Night after-occasion demi-Gods evening fruit-gardens lama loose-foot