Mr Monkey pondered on the scholar's rock for a while. In a Chinese garden naturally eroded rocks represent mountains, which, as bridges between earth and heaven, are worth thinking about. In front of the rock Mr Monkey saw a tree peony (paeonia lutea var. ludlowii). Peonies are prized for their dramatic colour (when the flowers are out) and are used to reduce fever and pain. Beside the rock Mr Monkey looked at a stand of bamboo (phyllostachys aurea). He's still not convinced that bamboo is a grass, but was pleased to find out that it can be used to make hats, as well as chopsticks, musical instruments, bridges and scaffolding.
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Copyright Rik Shepherd and Mr Monkey.