Book1:TeDream-Maker

mitridiscoveredanoldmanwithalongwhitebeard，slightlyhunchedunderaburdenofabundleofwoodonhisback,whichLotuswashelpinghimunload．Hewashergrandfather，knowninthatdistrictasGrandpaIronRodbecauseofhisfirmprinciplesanduingattitudetowardsmorals．Hewasamanofsiderableknowledge，butsingthecorruptpracticesofthereigningpowers，preferredtoliveasawood-cutterainthisremotevilgeratherthanpromisehisvaluesinseekihandposition．Thoughadamantanduinginhisprinciple,hewasbynaturekindandpassionate．Hehadneverhurtasoulinhislifeandhadneverusedahatchettofaltree，choosingrathertopickupdriedbranchesandtwigsforfuel；fortohimkillingalivetreewasnodifferentfromkillingalivinganimal．

    Dimitrismiledandheoldmaniingandtheoldmannoddediurn;butwhenhiseyesrestedonDimitri’sfaceheseemedtobetakenaback．HewentintohishuttofreshenupandtheandstoodbyDimitri’stable，holdingbothhandsintheshapeofafistbeforehischestinsalute．Generousbynature，Dimitriaskedhimtositdownwithhimandbehisguest．Theoldmansatdownandcalledtohisgrand-daughter，"Lotus，warmsomemorewineaanotherpceatthistableforme．eofyourtastydishes．Iwanttochatwithourspecialguesttonight.”Afterafewcupsofwiheoldmanasked，

    "Wereyousurprisedaboutthedog?"

    3

    "Yes．ItseemedsooddlyfamiliarandremindedmeofsomeoneIhadonownwell，butI’tforthelifeofmethinkofwhoitcouldbe!"

    "Yes．Somethingsinlifearehardtofathomandanticipate．Letmetellyouastory.”

    Duringhisnarration，Lotuswasbusyservingfreshlycookeddishesandwarmwine．Herfootstepswerelightandsoftasacat’spawandherfigurewaslitheandpliantasth