"I prayed and saw that which is hidden from the eyes of the people.

A vast plain was spread before me surrounded by distant mountains.

An old Lama carried a basket filled with heavy stones. He hardlymoved. From the north a rider appeared in white robes and mountedon a white horse. He approached the Lama and said to him:

"'Give me your basket. I shall help you to carry them to theKure.'

"The Lama handed his heavy burden up to him but the rider could notraise it to his saddle so that the old Lama had to place it back onhis shoulder and continue on his way, bent under its heavy weight.

Then from the north came another rider in black robes and on ablack horse, who also approached the Lama and said:

"'Stupid! Why do you carry these stones when they are everywhereabout the ground?'

"With these words he pushed the Lama over with the breast of hishorse and scattered the stones about the ground. When the stonestouched the earth, they became diamonds. All three rushed to raisethem but not one of them could break them loose from the ground.

Then the old Lama exclaimed:

"'Oh Gods! All my life I have carried this heavy burden and now,when there was left so little to go, I have lost it. Help me,great, good Gods!'

"Suddenly a tottering o............