Thief of Time - Clock Path

The Clock Path wound out from the main complex, up through the terraced gardens, and then rejoined the wider path as it tunnelled into the cliff wall. Novices always asked why it was called the Clock Path, since there was no sign of a clock anywhere .

More gongs started to bang, but they were muffled by the greenery. Lobsang heard running feet up on the main path. Down here, humming birds flickered from flower to flower, oblivious of any excitement.

'I wonder what time it is,' said Lu-Tze, who was walking ahead. Everything is a test.

Lobsang glanced around at the flowerbed. 'A quarter past nine,' he said.

'Oh? And how do you know that?'

'The field marigold is open, the red sandwort is opening, the purple bindweed is closed, and the yellow goat's beard is closing,' said Lobsang. 'You worked out the floral clock all by yourself?'

'Yes. It's obvious.'

'Really? What time is it when the white waterlily opens?'

'Six in the morning.'

'You came to look?'

'Yes. You planted this garden, did you?'

'One of my little... efforts.'

'It's beautiful.'

'It's not very accurate in the small hours. There aren't too many night-blooming plants that grow well up here. They open for the moths, you know-'

'It's how time wants to be measured,' said Lobsang.

'Really? Of course I'm not an expert,' said Lu-Tze.

***

The Thief of Time - p115-116