NINE
There was a myth about the king of the clouds, whose seven daughters lived on seven red clouds near the source of light in the eastern sky. He built a splendid palace for each one and their palaces were surrounded by beautiful gardens. When they reached the age of maidenhood, he allowed his daughters, each of whom was ravishingly beautiful, to descend to earth in order to choose seven bridegrooms, provided the bridegrooms were destitute, so that they would rescue their future husbands from their wretchedness, and ascend to the springs of light with them to lead a life of love and leisure in the lofty paradises. God would reward them for their righteous deeds and bless them with a happy marriage. So each daughter descended to the seven parts of the earth, because the globe seemed like
