Potu's Royal Court

At last, we entered the large and splendid capital of the kingdom of Potu.

At last, we entered the large and magnificent capital of the kingdom of Potu.

We were first carried to a house, where all students from the country seminaries are received, for the purpose of refreshment. Here we prepared for an interview with the king. In the mean time our Karatti, or leader went before to announce us to the court. On his return, we were all ordered to follow him. On our way to court we met several small trees, with printed stories in their branches. These were literary hawkers. I accidentally fixed my eye upon the title of one of these books. It was: "A true account of an entirely new and wonderful meteor, or flying dragon, which was seen last year in the heavens." I knew this was myself, and therefore purchased the book, for which three kilak—about two cents—were demanded. On the title page I found an engraving of myself, as I appeared while hovering over the planet, accompanied by boat-hook and rope. We now approached the castle, an extensive series of battlements and buildings, more distinguished for its strength and delicacy of finish than for splendor. It presented to my view a very singular, and, I may say rural, appearance, from the vast number of trees on the walls.

We were first taken to a house where all students from the country seminaries are welcomed to rest and refresh themselves. Here we prepared to meet the king. Meanwhile, our Karatti, or leader, went ahead to announce us to the court. When he returned, we were all ordered to follow him. On our way to court, we met several small trees with printed stories in their branches. These were traveling booksellers. My eye happened to fall on the title of one of their books. It was: "A true account of an entirely new and wonderful meteor, or flying dragon, seen in the sky last year." I knew the book was about me, so I bought it for the asking price of three kilak. That was about two cents. On the title page, I found an engraving of myself hovering over the planet, complete with boat-hook and rope. We now approached the castle, a sprawling series of battlements and buildings. It stood out more for its strength and fine craftsmanship than for its splendor. To me, the castle looked very unusual and, I might say, rural, because of the many trees on its walls.

It was now noon, and the dinner hour. The king wishing to see me before he dined, I was brought alone to the dining hall. The king received me very graciously, uniting in a remarkable degree, while addressing me, mildness of tone with dignity of expression.

It was now noon, the dinner hour. The king wanted to see me before he ate, so I was brought alone to the dining hall. The king welcomed me very graciously. As he spoke to me, he combined a gentle tone with dignified words to a remarkable degree.

At my entrance into the hall, I knelt before the throne: the king demanded the meaning of the ceremony. Having told him the reason, he remarked, that such worship was due only to the Divinity. When I had raised myself, he put to me several questions—demanding how I had come down?—the reason of my journey—my name—where I came from, &c., all which questions I answered truly. Finally, he inquired concerning my religion, and was evidently much pleased with our creed. I was ordered to wait till dinner was over. At the table were seated with the King, the Queen, Prince, and Kadok, or great chancellor. At a certain sign, a maiden tree entered, bearing in her eight branches, as many dishes, which was the number daily served at the royal table. Another tree entered with eight bottles, filled with as many different juices. In the dinner conversation, frequent mention was made of myself.

When I entered the hall, I knelt before the throne. The king asked what the ceremony meant. After I explained, he said that such worship was due only to God. Once I stood up, he asked me several questions. He asked how I had come down, why I had made the journey, my name, where I came from, and more. I answered all his questions truthfully. Finally, he asked about my religion and seemed very pleased with our beliefs. I was told to wait until dinner was over. The Queen, Prince, and Kadok, or grand chancellor, sat at the table with the King. At a signal, a maiden tree entered, carrying eight dishes in her eight branches. Eight dishes were served daily at the royal table. Another tree entered with eight bottles, each filled with a different juice. During dinner, they often spoke about me.

After dinner, the King ordered me to show my testimony. After reading it, he looked at my legs. "The Karatti are perfectly right!" said he; "and their advice shall be followed." A Kiva, or secretary, was now sent for, to enter me, among others, in the royal register of promotion. This Kiva was a tree of remarkable external appearance; he had eleven branches—a singular number—and was able to write eleven letters at once. With this tree I afterwards became very intimate; he wrote all the letters which I, as footman, carried about the country.

After dinner, the King ordered me to show him my testimony. After reading it, he looked at my legs. "The Karatti are perfectly right!" he said. "And their advice will be followed." He then sent for a Kiva, or secretary, to add me to the royal promotion register along with others. This Kiva was a tree with a remarkable appearance. He had eleven branches, an unusual number, and could write eleven letters at once. I later became close friends with this tree. He wrote all the letters I carried around the country as a footman.

On receiving my appointment, I went to bed. Although I was much fatigued, I could not get any sleep for a long while. However, I fell, at last, into an uneasy slumber, from which I was suddenly roused by an uncommonly large monkey, which, on opening my eyes, I found playing all manner of tricks with me, much to the amusement of several young trees, my companions. The king laughed heartily over the jokes of the monkeys, when they were related to him, but at the same time, ordered me to be clothed in the subterranean manner; that is, ornamented with branches, as I had been at my first arrival below ground. My European clothes were taken from me and hung up in the museum, with the following description attached:

After receiving my appointment, I went to bed. Although I was very tired, I could not sleep for a long time. At last, I fell into an uneasy sleep, but an unusually large monkey suddenly woke me. When I opened my eyes, I found the monkey playing all kinds of tricks on me. Several young trees, my companions, were greatly amused. The king laughed heartily when he heard about the monkeys' tricks. But at the same time, he ordered me to be dressed in the underground fashion. This meant being decorated with branches, as I had been when I first arrived below ground. My European clothes were taken away and hung in the museum, with the following description attached:

dress of the creatures above ground.

clothing of the creatures above ground.

After my fright from the monkey, I got no more sleep. In the morning I rose with the sun, and went to receive my charge for the day. An innumerable number of errands were given me to perform, together with letters and documents directed to all parts of the country.

After the monkey frightened me, I couldn't sleep again that night. In the morning, I got up at sunrise and went to receive my assignments for the day. I was given countless errands, along with letters and documents addressed to all parts of the country.

This life I led four years; during my rambles I studied the character of the inhabitants, and copied, as far as possible, their habits. The people generally are distinguished for the politeness of their manners, and the sensibleness of their notions. The citizens of the town of Maholki, only, are wanting in refinement and judgment; they are thorn trees; very obstinate and crabbed in disposition, and great gossips, withal; let one take you by the button and you cannot get away easily.

I lived this way for four years. During my travels, I studied the inhabitants’ character and copied their habits as much as possible. The people generally stand out for their polite manners and sensible ideas. Only the citizens of the town of Maholki lack refinement and good judgment. They are thorn trees, very stubborn and bad-tempered, and great gossips as well. Once one of them catches you by the button, you cannot easily get away.

Each province is peopled by its own race of trees; in the country each village has one sect; but the large cities contain a mixed population.

Each province is home to its own race of trees. In the countryside, each village has one sect. But the large cities have a mixed population.

I had a good opportunity, as courier-general, to observe the peculiarities of these people, and I shall now describe their polity and religion, their laws and sciences.

As courier-general, I had a good chance to observe the distinctive traits of these people. I will now describe their government and religion, their laws and sciences.