Part 5 (1/2)
And they said to him, ”No, we wish to learn how to laugh again; we have forgotten how, and we are going to the Land of Laughter.”
”You will regret not going with me. See if you don't,” he said, and he left them in quite a huff.
And they walked again, many days, and again they met an old man. He was tall and imposing-looking and very dignified. And he said:
”Where are you going so fast, little boys?”
”We are going to the Land of Laughter,” they said together very seriously.
”What!” he said, ”that is an extremely foolish thing to do. Come with me, and I will give you power. I will make you great men; generals, kings, emperors. Whatever you desire to accomplish will be permitted you.”
And they said politely:
”Thank you, very much, but we have forgotten how to laugh; and we are going there to learn how.”
He looked upon them haughtily, without speaking, and disappeared.
And they walked and walked more days; and they met another old man. And he was clad in rags; and his face was thin; and his eyes were unhappy.
And he whispered to them:
”Where are you going so fast, little boys?”
”We are going to the Land of Laughter,” they answered, without a smile.
”Laughter! laughter! that is useless. Come with me and I will show you the beauty of life through sacrifice, suffering for others. That is the only life. I come from the Land of Sacrifice.”
And they thanked him kindly, but said:
”We have suffered enough. We have forgotten how to laugh. We would learn again.” And they went on; and he looked after them wistfully.
They walked more days; and at last they came to the Land of Laughter.
And how do you suppose they knew this? Because they could hear, over the wall, the sound of joyous laughter--the laughter of men, women and little children.
And one sat guarding the gate, and they went to her.
”We have come a long, long distance; and we would enter the Land of Laughter.”
”Let me see you smile, first,” she said gently. ”I sit at the gate and no one who does not know how to smile may enter into the Land of Laughter.”
And they tried to smile, but could not.
”Go away and practise,” she said kindly, ”and come back tomorrow.”
And they went away, and practised all night how to smile; and, in the morning, they returned. And the gentle lady at the gate said:
”Dear little boys, have you learned how to smile?”