The story begins with the introduction of a young boy fascinated by a tree. The boy is examining the tree as if it is the first one he has seen. He is carrying a book bag, and so the obvious question is why the boy is not in class. It may be assumed, at first, that he is outside with the rest of his class for recess or perhaps that school time is over. With the beginning of the next paragraph, the story becomes more confusing instead of clearer.

A boy is described pausing in his attempt to read aloud to his classmates, and the pause causes the pupils to look up from their books and start to whisper. Has the classroom gathered outside for an afternoon of reading? Is the boy who is examining the tree the very one who is supposed to be...