Red among the green

The earliest time I can remember is when people would huddle around fires in the dense forests. Those days seem dim to me now. They were dark in many ways, with the changing of the seasons demanding a blood sacrifice - or so, in those times, men thought.

Which amounts to the same thing, on reflection.

When that would be, I cannot say with any certainty. Long ago, anyway. Now, you measure the years with a care that strikes me as being most odd; you count the passing years and your own years as if by doing so, you can control them. Or at least, this is how it seems to me.

For myself, I exist solely in the present. In fact, in all senses of the word, my time is now. Oh, I have memories of other times, but they tend to blur somewhat.

Each year, I make new acquaintances - acquaintanceships that begin with a single, simple act of generosity; the smallest gift is all that is required.

However, I hope you will not be too disappointed to learn that I recall very few specific encounters. Sir, it is most unlikely that we shall ever meet again - as a matter of fact, to the best of my knowledge, that has only ever happened once. And, when we have concluded our conversation, I believe it unlikely that you will have any memory of our meeting.

I, however, will have gathered all the understanding I need for my purposes. For that, I thank you in advance.



Story begins here