Man and Tree

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.

Wayne Mansfield · LGBT+

Not enough ratings

16 Chs

Chapter 4

“I think I’m ready.” 2: Adam’s Story

It was a warm spring morning. The first light of day was sneaking over the eastern horizon. Already the birds were in full chorus.

Adam crawled out of bed and pulled on the same clothes he’d worn the day before. After collecting two buckets from the mud-room, he strolled across the farmyard to the barn, where the cows were waiting to be milked. As usual, he filled the feed box with hay. That would keep the cows busy while he milked them. He positioned the stool next to the first cow, placed the bucket under her udder, and was about to start milking when he heard a noise from the loft.

“Who’s up there?” he shouted. He got up from the stool and made straight for the pitchfork leaning against the wall. “Show yourself.”

He stalked warily towards the ladder leading to the loft.

“If I have to come up there, you’ll be sorry,” he threatened.

“Hey, hey,” said a voice. “There’s no need for all that.”

PREV INDEX Next