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

“Hello,” he called as he approached the thicket.


The olive-skinned man with jet-black hair and a horse’s saddle blanket wrapped around his shoulders looked up from where he was sitting.


“Nathaniel,” he said as he stood. “Is it really you?”


He took Ferdinand’s handsome face between his hands and began feverishly kissing him.


“Oh, my darling one. My darling Ferdinand.” He couldn’t stop kissing his lover’s lips. “Lips I have missed so desperately. I love you so much.”


When finally he could manage to remove his lips from Ferdinand’s, his Spanish lover smiled.


Nathaniel laughed, his eyes moist with tears.


He wrapped his arms tightly around Ferdinand’s naked waist, pulling him close. Together they embraced, kissing once more.


“I’ve missed you more than you’ll ever know,” said Nathaniel.


Chapter 16