“Of course.  I have watched your quandary,” replied Lao Tzu.  “Here, take this gourd.  It is filled with an elixir that will heal anyone.  You will be called to the poor and to the rich.  The medicine within is eternal and unending.  The gourd will provide you with whatever you need.  But here, you will need a crutch with that old crippled body.”

Lao Tzu picked up the beggar’s bamboo cane and changed it into an iron brace.  “This crutch will never break and never rust.  It will be your support for all time.  You are now an immortal, Ti Kuai Li.  You may go to join them whenever you wish.”

Then Ti Kuai Li went to his disciple’s mother’s house.  He found the family in mourning and understood what had happened.  He was impressed by Li Ching’s piety.

The disciple was shocked to see an unknown beggar enter his house, go directly to his mother’s body, and pour some liquid from a gourd into her mouth.  Li Ching was about to beat the beggar when his mother began to shake.  Suddenly she woke up.  “What are you doing in my house?” she yelled.

“I am Ti Kuai Li,” answered the beggar.  At that, Li Ching fainted.  After he was brought round, he was mortified to learn what he had done and begged for forgiveness.  Ti Kuai Li answered that he had acted in the best manner, but that he must continue his studies alone.  Having other duties now, Ti Kuai Li gave the student a special pill to help him find the Tao.  After a full life of study, Li Ching also became an immortal.

The strangest of the Eight Immortals

Lan Ts’ai Ho, the most unusual of the immortals, is portrayed as both male and female.  Lan Ts’ai Ho was once a relatively minor god.  He was sent to live on earth as a mortal as a penalty for offending the Jade Emperor.  On earth he lived an exemplary spiritual life, devoted to his individual enlightenment.  As a result, he achieved the status of an immortal.  This was considered by all to be a demotion, but Lan Ts’ai Ho considered his status to be exactly proper.