Often the lama made the living pictures the matter of his text, bidding Kim--too ready--note how the flesh takes a thousand shapes, desirable or detestable as men reckon, but in truth of no account either way; and how the stupid spirit, bond-slave to the Hog, the Dove, and the Serpent--lusting after betel-nut, a new yoke of oxen, women, or the favour of kings--is bound to follow the body through all the Heavens and all the Hells, and strictly round again.

Sometimes a woman or a poor man, watching the ritual--it was nothing less--when the great yellow chart was unfolded, would throw a few flowers or a handful of cowries upon its edge.

It sufficed these humble ones that they had met a Holy One who might be moved to remember them in his prayers.
'Cure them if they are sick,' said the lama, when Kim's sporting instincts woke.

'Cure them if they have fever, but by no means work charms.

Remember what befell the Mahratta.' 'Then all Doing is evil ?' Kim replied, lying out under a big tree at the fork of the Doon road, watching the little ants run over his hand.
'To abstain from action is well--except to acquire merit.' 'At the Gates of Learning we were taught that to abstain from action was unbefitting a Sahib.