Once upon a time there were four good spirits. They lived together in a hollow in the woods. On sunny days, they went down to the river and played with the water rats and the rabbits. Sometimes, they would laugh together - they giggled when the youngest, still shaky on its legs, sat down in a cow pat. But they washed her smelly clothes and hung them out to dry in the sunshine. For the four spirits, life was often hard. There were many dangers in the forest. The eldest spirit was very wise, and wanted especially to take care of her friends. Most of all she wanted the beings in the forest to live in peace with each other. The day came for the spirits to leave the forest and make their way into the world. There was an air of sadness in the hollow as they stood together for the parting ceremony. The eldest spirit appeared carrying a velvet cushion. On the cushion were four silver leaves, she gave one to each of the spirits, and kept one for herself, saying: "We are all the leaves of one tree, take this, it will help you to bring the people kindness" And so, with a smile, the spirts went out into the world, clutching their precious gift.