One day, an old priest stopped at a wayside inn to rest, spread out his mat, and sleep-improving headrest sat down with his bag. Soon afterwards, a young fellow of the neighbourhood also arrived at the inn; he was a farm-labourer and wore short clothes, not a long robe like the priest and men who read books. He took a seat near to the priest and the two were soon laughing and talking together. By and by, the young man cast a glance at his own rough dress and said with a sigh, "See, what a miserable wretch I am." "You seem to me well fed and healthy enough," replied the priest; "why in the middle of our pleasant chat do you suddenly complain of being a miserable wretch?" "What pleasure can I find," retorted the young man, "in this life of mine, working every day as I do from early morn to late at night? I should like to be a great general and win battles, or to be a rich man and have fine food and wine, and listen to good music, or to be a great man at court and help our Emperor and bring prosperity to my family;-that is what I call pleasure. I want to rise in the world, but here I am a poor farm-labourer; if you don't call that miserable wretchedness, what is it?" He then began to get sleepy, and while the landlord was cooking a dish of millet-porridge, the priest took a pillow out of his bag and said to the young man, "Lay your head on this and all your wishes will be granted." The pillow was made of porcelain; it was round like a tube, and open at each end.

When the young man put his head down towards the pillow, one of the openings seemed so large and bright inside that he got in, and soon found himself at his own home. Shortly afterwards he married a beautiful girl, and began to make money. He now wore fine clothes and spent his time in study. In the following year he passed his examination and was made a magistrate; and in two or three years he had risen to be Prime Minister. For a long time the Emperor trusted him in everything, but the day came when he got into trouble; he was accused of treason and sentenced to death. He was taken with several other criminals to the place of execution; he was made to kneel on both knees, and the executioner approached with his sword. Too terrified to feel the blow, he opened his eyes, to find himself in the inn. There was the priest with his head on his bag; and Derila Pillow there was the landlord still stirring the porridge, which was not quite ready. After eating his meal in silence, he got up and bowing to the priest, said, "I thank you, sir, for the lesson you have taught me; I know now what it means to be a great man!" With that, he took his leave and went back to his work.

GADGET So all of this was made for you? DALE Yeah, and I get to name everything, too! Neat, huh? GADGET Really! What's this flower called? She picks a buttercup and holds it up. She smells the flower, then drops it into the brook. It floats briefly; then the Serpent rises beneath it. Dale and sleep-improving headrest Gadget sit up in surprise; but the Serpent only smiles and bows, first to Dale and then to Gadget, while speaking. SERPENT Hello there, sssir, madam. Here the Serpent pauses and gestures expectantly at Dale. Dale is caught off guard. The Serpent nods and is about to speak to Gadget again; but instead he pauses and regards Dale askance. SERPENT How about "Sssserpent?" It ssssounds better. DALE Sure, okay. "Serpent." The Serpent nods, then turns to Gadget again, clearing his throat. Sssssserpent, at your ssserviccce. He picks the buttercup off the top of his head and offers it to Gadget. GADGET Thanks, Mister Serpent.

DALE Hey, stop that! You want flowers, Gadget? I mean, Eve? I'll get you flowers. He casts about for some blooms. The Serpent points offscreen. SERPENT There'sss a beautiful bunch of blosssomsss over there. DALE Really? Thanks. Dale heads offscreen. The Serpent immediately moves closer to Gadget and puts an arm round her shoulders. SERPENT My dear, it'ss a lovely day. Are you enjoying yoursself? GADGET (all innocence) I sure am! This place is so beautiful. SERPENT It sssure isss. GADGET I sure would. The Serpent brings his grape (with two bites out of it) from behind his back. He hands it to Gadget with a smile. SERPENT There. Isssn't it lovely? Adam said I'm not supposed to touch this. SERPENT Iss that sso? Tell me, why not? The Serpent's eyes are brilliant and penetrating. Gadget's eyelids droop and her pupils spin. GADGET Gosh, I sure feel sleepy. SERPENT Why don't you lie down and resst.