Yosef stepped further into the trees, following the little path. He had samples to gather, and he intended to find them before noon.

There was nothing as beautiful as the forest in the light of the early morning. There was a slight chill in the air, flowers just beginning to turn towards the sun. It invigorated him, pushed him onward in his excitement to begin his daily studies.

Ahead in the trees, something moved. He paused, studying the individual who already stood in his favorite clearing.

“Hello,” he said, pausing. “You’re…here. In my spot.”

That wasn’t inherently bad—unexpected, yes—but not bad. He would have to speak with this stranger.