Nathaniel, a horse-riding traveler in eighteenth century Europe, emerges from a vast forest to see a field of golden wheat. At the centre of the field is a large tree and, at its base, a man. Strangely, the man appears to be talking to the tree.<br><br>At the village inn, Nathaniel asks the barman about the man and tree. The barman refuses to tell him anything, so Nathaniel decides to visit the man himself. The following morning he rides back to the field, where he notices the man is still there, talking to the tree.<br><br>He introduces himself to the man, whose name is Adam. When questioned about why he sits beside the tree, talking to it, Adam reveals a story so amazing, it borders on being unbelievable. Nathaniel, too, has a similar tale, the conclusion of which is just as bizarre and shocking as Adam’s.

Man and Tree

Nathaniel ate his porridge and toast, and drank his tea, in bed. It was a relaxing way to prepare for the day. Then, with both his hunger and thirst satisfied, he dressed, starting with his shirt, then his breeches, then his stockings and boots, and finally his riding coat. He checked his pockets for his money, the cubes of sugar he kept for his horse, and the various other odds and ends he kept secreted in them. After finding everything in order, he went downstairs and bid good-bye to the barman.


The boy was waiting for him directly outside the door with his horse.


“Thank you,” said Nathaniel, taking the reins. “Thank you for everything.”


He gave the boy a cube of sugar, which the boy immediately pushed into his mouth, then he mounted his horse and, pulling the reins, directed it back the way they’d come the previous day.


“We shall find our answers yet,” he said.


Chapter 3