FortwoldmundworkedonthisgroupandfromthesedyearonhewasgivenErichasanapprehebalustradeforthestaircasehecreatedasmallparadise.Withecstasyhecarvedagracefulwildernessoftrees,brush,andherbs,withbirdsinthebranches,andtheheadsandbodiesofanimalsemergingeverywhere.Inthemidstofthispeacefullysproutingprimitivegarden,hedepictedseveralsesfromthelifeofthepatriarchs.Thisindustriouslifewasrarelyinterrupted.Therewasseldomadaynoossibleforhim,whelessnessorboredommadehimdisgustedwithhisart.Butwhenhedidfeelboredorrestlesshedgivehisapprenticeachoreandwalkorrideintothetrysidetobreatheinthememory-filledperfumeofthefreeandwanderinglifeoftheforest,orvisitapeasantsdaughter,orhunt,orlieforhoursinthegreenstaringintothevaultedhallsoftreetops,intothesproutingwildernessoffernsandjuniper.Hewouldalwaysreturnafteradayortwo.Theackhisworkwithrenewedpassion,greedilycarvetheluxuriantherbs,gently,tenderlycoaxhumanheadsfromthewood,forcefullycutamouth,aneye,apleatedbeard.BesideErilyNarcissuskhestatuesandhecameoftentotheworkshop,whichattimeswashisfavoriteplathecloister.Helookedonwithjoyandastonishment.Everythinghisfriendhadcarriedinhisrestless,stubborn,boyishheartwasingtoflower.Thereitgrewandblossomed,acreation,asmallsurgingworld:agameperhaps,butcertainlynolessworthyagamethanplayingwithlogic,grammar,andtheology.

    Pensivelyheoncesaid:"Imlearningagreatdealfromyou,Goldmund.Imbeginningtouandwhatartis.Formerlyitseemedtomethat,paredtothinkingandsce,itcouldakenaltogetherseriously.Ithoughtsomethinglikethis:sinis