Thebanks of the abundant waters in Yan are embellished by piled uplarge rocks in their natural patterns. When you enter the relic-ishWest Gate and make a turn to the right, what comes into sight is apiece of lotus field where flowers blossom to the size of big bowlsin summer. The lotus field is neighbored by all kinds of rocks,some couching, some relining, some standing like small hill peaksand some flat enough to rest on. The drooping willows along thebanks and breeze-ruffled lotus flowers in the waters shade theirlayered-up greenness on the rocky banks.
Weiming Lake, the largest water of all, has a stony bank as well.At first it may look far more artificial than its former overgrownearthy bank. By taking a further look, you will see the shapes ofrocks fade into the water’s edges, adding such an intriguing zestto the water. At the west part of the lake, there is a portion ofland too small to be called an island. Huge rocks are stacked in tolink the bank, rock by rock, like the tails of comma. On the lake’sside of the ‘island’, there stands a lifelike stone-carved fishwith vivid scales. It’s been seen in and out of the water for ever.With its mouth half-open, it appears to be spitting bubbles to thewater sometimes, yet other times just holding its head high. Thereis no knowing when its head disappeared, leaving the upturnedcocked tail measure the height of the lake surface. Childrengrowing up in Yan Garden have all once sat on the back of the stonefish, dipping their feet into the water and taking their ease tofantasise about future. When they are old enough to leave, the fishislet will remain there like a comma in their lives.
