“I’m on top of the world when I wake up in the morning and find that I am not about to die. If it weren’t for this disease, how could I be as happy as I am now? What do you think, Mrs. Yi?”

“Of course, a blessing in disguise is a common occurrence in life. I’m so happy for you.”

Life would have been perfect for Tauber if he hadn’t had to take these anti-inflammatory drugs for cancer, thought Mrs. Yi. But no one’s life was perfect. Tauber did live a full and happy life, and above all, a dignified one. It seemed that a dignified death required money, as well as the help of medical staff. She recalled her former patients, some of whom died with dignity (not as much as Tauber, of course), but their families had made enormous sacrifices. Some patients’ deaths could only be said to have been miserable; speaking of dignity was out of the question. Mrs. Yi kept reflecting on their hopelessness as they neared death.

In that warm wooden cabin, Mrs. Yi often had lengthy talks with Tauber about life and death.

“Mrs. Yi, you are a great woman! I have long wanted to tell you what I think of you. Your relationship with Niulan Mountain shows your greatness. By contrast, when I was young, I totally ignored our mother mountain. I was an idiot then. It wasn’t until I became terminally ill that I saw what I had missed in life. What was I doing all those years? I wasted so much time.” He shook his head vigorously.

“Ah, Tauber, sooner or later, people do become aware. Your life is wonderful now. Don’t you think?”

“I was just going to say that. How did life get so good? In the morning when I was walking on the mountain road, I couldn’t help kissing the daisy at the roadside. I was so moved that I wept. I’ve never cried like this. And you, Mrs. Yi, you are an angel. I heard your steps while you were still at the foot of the mountain, and I thought to myself that this great woman was chosen by Niulan Mountain, and she’s the only one who knows where the wonderful herbs grow. You are the only insider.”

“No, you’re wrong, Tauber. There are several insiders now. I haven’t had time to tell you that some young people are joining me . . .”

“Mrs. Yi, do you see my tears?”

“Don’t, please don’t cry . . . You mustn’t be emotional. I’m leaving now, Tauber. Good-bye!”

She ran out of the cabin. When she turned around, she saw Tauber watching her from a window on the third floor. She said to herself, “Tauber, how lucky I am to have shared with you the greatest happiness of your life. Niulan Mountain is fair to each one of us.” When the words came to her mind, she found herself in tears—tears of happiness.

A clever little rabbit was guiding her, as if afraid that tears would blur her vision. The white clouds drooped low, and the branches of the trees hid in the clouds. At this moment, Mrs. Yi saw the story of Yun Village.