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

“My father,” said Ferdinand, “and no doubt my mother, expected me to marry a nice girl and take over the family business. But as you may have guessed, I am not the marrying kind, and winemaking holds not as much fascination for me as drinking it.”


Nathaniel laughed. “So your family are winemakers. How interesting.” He took a sip of Scotch. “Mine are in finance, but I have been saddled with the same expectations of marriage and employment in the family business.”


“It is the reason I left my country for this one,” explained Ferdinand.


“I have not gone so far,” said Nathaniel. “I have simply moved cities.” He sighed and looked into Ferdinand’s eyes. “But I imagine more for myself. I can’t be expected to stay locked away in an office all day. I want to get out and explore.”


Ferdinand’s eyes sparkled. “I feel the same draw. To travel and explore. To be free, completely free, of expectations, mundane living, and polite society.”


Chapter 11