The Strange Tale of the Very Ugly Brother

Part 3 Page 1

Now the Secret One had journeyed a long way over snow covered mountains, over deserts and plains, when he came at last to a fine city built high upon a rock. When he first saw it from afar off, he thought it must be the most beautiful city he had seen in all his life. There were towers of pink and white marble, swirling columns, glittering flights of steps and magnificent fountains. Everywhere there were arching windows hung with silken drapes and balconies and verandas decked in flowers.

"What place is this ?" thought the Secret One in wonder as he gazed about him. He was just about to ask a passerby when he realized how busy it had become. People were rushing quickly past him on the moving walkways. And they were all so smartly dressed in their grey silk clothes ! He could smell the sweet pomade on their hair as they passed by. Where were they all going in such a hurry ?

"Please can you tell me where I am ?" he called out to an elegant woman with red lips. "What is the name of this city ?" The young woman turned with a shudder, registered him momentarily, and without uttering a word swept on before him.

"It is worse than I thought. Not only am I ugly but now I am filthy and I smell," thought the Secret One catching sight of his reflection in the side of a building that seemed to be made of mirrors. "I must bathe and go to a barber," he thought, "but first I must eat. If I play my flute some kind people will no doubt toss me a coin or two."

And so the Secret One took out his flute and began to play his music in the great square. But to his surprise the people did not stop to listen but merely rushed on regardless. After a while it became clear that the people of the city must simply all be deaf. And he was just considering this, when a man with a book of moving pictures under his arm stopped and said to him, " Playing a tin whistle won't bring in the money. Why don't you go and get yourself a proper job ?"