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Show - 15 - "I had no idea there was anything down here, let alone such big vegetable gardens," said Penny. "Let's walk down closer and see if they will speak to us," said Vicky, always the one to take the lead in an adventure. Off she went be-for her sister could protest. Penny looked down at Dixie,who was crouched in the tall gra3s,and said. "Are you coming along, girl?" The little dog did did not stir and Penny was reluctant to leave her there, but could not allow Vicky to wander off alone. "Stay here, Dixie, we won't be long." In a moment they were across the bridge and started walking toward the big shed. Penny could think of no other word to describe it. There was no one close by, but as they turned the corner of the building they came upon an old man sitting on an empty wooden crate. He seemed ancient, at least in his eighties. A large brimmed grass-woven hat almost covered his face and his long pigtail protruded out from under it. The padded jacket he wore hung loosely on his thin frame and his trousers were much too large for him. In his lap was a half finished bamboo basket which he had been working on before dozing off. On the ground nearby were a few already finished baskets carelessly thrown amongst some bundles of split bamboo. He raised his head and gazed enigmatically at them, saying nothing. His heavy lidded, slanted eyes observed them closely. Then he spoke. "You will seek the answer to the riddle of life after death, but do not concern yourselves about such things. You are too young!" The girls were so startled at his words that they were struck speechless. Before they could respond, there was a commotion behind them and they turned to see one of the coolies,who had been digging nearby, running toward them menacingly brandishing his hoe. "We didn't mean any harm," retorted Vicky. But the threatening |
