Prologue

Ishmael laughed heartily at the boy and again squeezed him tightly. "So what did you do today."

"Oh!" Iaddius turned and glanced at his mother who was watching from the door way, and then turned back to Ishmael. "Me and mommy went to the valley and then we went to the ocean and I saw whales!"

"O yeah?" Ishmael said with a laugh. "And you got back in time for dinner, huh?"

"Well," Again the boy looked back at his mother. "Mommy had to make dinner when we were in the forest."

"Ah, you're mommy's very talented then isn't she boy?" He said smiling up at his wife.

"Yup."

Later that night, as they lay together in their bed, Ishmael turned to Leah, his wife.

"Sweet-heart," He whispered to her. "Why do you encourage our boy?"

"It doesn't matter, Ishmael. All that that boy thinks about is getting out of these mountains. All he talks about is the forests and the oceans."

"It doesn't help for you to pretend with him." Ishmael said anxiously.

Leah sat up and looked down at her husband. She understood him and she understood his anxiety. It wasn't right for their son to fantasize so stubbornly about leaving his home. The outside world, she knew, was harsh, dangerous and unforgiving. She wanted, more than Ishmael could know - for who can comprehend the love of a mother? - For Iaddius to forget about the sea and the tall green trees, and be content up here, in his home.