CHAPTER XIV THE GARDEN David and Ruth journeyed onward hand in hand. The Burning Mountain was now almost invisibly remote, and they knew that they must be near the Garden for which they sought. Soon they met a company of young people, who immediately recognized the two as strangers. One, who seemed to be the leader, spoke to them, saying: “You are welcome, strangers. Will you not join us? for we are on our way to the Temple of Wisdom, and shall be glad to have you accompany us.” “That is indeed kind,” said David, and they joined the little company and became one with them. “How came you here?” asked their new-found friend. “I will tell you gladly,” said David, “if you will tell me first where we are.” “Where?” repeated the other. “Why, you are on the borders of the Garden.” “The Garden in the midst of the Forest?” said David questioningly. “Yes,” replied the other. “There is a tree in its midst, is there not?” asked David. “A more beautiful Tree than the mind of man can imagine,” answered their guide. “So we have understood,” said David, “and we wish to find it.” “How came you here?” repeated their companion. “Did you come by yourselves, alone?” David smiled. “We came alone,” he answered, “but not by ourselves, for we were guided and led here. Years ago I saw a Blue Bird and heard it sing. Once seeing and hearing it, I had to follow it. It led me to Ruth. Then, one day, it sang for us again. Its message was very clear, and again I had to follow it. I left Ruth; it led me to her a second time, for she was in trouble and needed me. We had thought that I could cut the trail here to the Garden and then return for her. But it could not be: we found that we must seek it together.” “But the Blue Bird never comes to the borders of the Garden: he only remains within it,” said the stranger. “You must have come to this point alone.” “No, no!” said David and Ruth in one voice. “The Wingèd Horse brought us here!” As they conversed, the country through which they journeyed grew more and more beautiful. Its wonders unfolded before their eyes as they talked together. “One never does anything alone,” said David. “I mean, of one’s own power. One is always guided, led, or helped. Only when one cannot clearly see or understand does one make the mistake of thinking of one’s power as coming from one’s self.”