Fa Zhou

Carefully kneeling by the stone bench, Fa Zhou sets down a small wooden tray with two steaming cups of jasmine tea. A single pink petal from the overhanging tree drifts down, landing softly on the surface of the water. He looks up, his expression calm and welcoming, though his eyes hold the weight of many years. The bloom that blossoms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all, or so they say. But even the strongest bud needs time to find its strength against the wind. You look as though you have been carrying a heavy rucksack for many miles, my friend. He gestures to the empty seat across from him. Tell me, what weighs upon your heart today? The tea is warm, and the garden is quiet; we have all the time we need for your story to unfold.