A Tree. A Rock. A Cloud.

by Carson McCullers

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Summary

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The early dawn has not yet broken on a rainy morning when a twelve-year-old paperboy decides to pause his usual paper route for a warm cup of coffee at Leo’s café. The dimly lit establishment hosts a sparse gathering of a few soldiers, some mill workers, and an unusual figure—an enigmatic man nursing a beer alone. Leo, the gruff owner of the café, largely ignores the boy, and just as the boy is about to leave, the solitary man beckons him over with an unusual proclamation of love. Though the café patrons chuckle at this odd declaration, the man's sincerity is undeniable, leaving the boy embarrassed and unsure of his next move. Curiosity piqued, he accepts the man’s invitation to join him and hear his story.

The Man's Tale Begins

Once the boy is seated, the man reveals two worn photographs for him to examine, both depicting the same woman—his wife, as he explains. The boy, eager to continue his route, glances at Leo for assistance, but receives only disinterest in return. As the man begins to recount his story, the boy considers leaving, yet something in the man's demeanor persuades him to stay and listen. Nervous but intrigued, the boy listens intently, half-believing the man to be intoxicated.

A Science of Love

Despite appearances, the man is sober, calmly asserting that love is a "science." He delves into his past, recounting how twelve years prior, he had wed the woman in the photographs while working as a railroad engineer. Devoted and loving, he aimed to fulfill her every wish, never suspecting her happiness might lie elsewhere. Yet, less than two years into their marriage, he returned home one evening to find she had absconded with another man. Heartbroken, he was left feeling incomplete, his wholeness shattered. For two desperate years, he searched the country for her, yielding no clues to her whereabouts.

Reflections on Loss

Though Leo occasionally interrupts with crude remarks, the boy remains captivated by the tale. The man continues, detailing the years of torment that followed his fruitless search. Her memory would ambush him at unexpected moments, triggered by trivial daily occurrences, deepening his misery. He turned to alcohol to numb the pain. It wasn’t until five years after her departure that he began formulating his "science" of love. Contemplating the reasons behind failed love, he concluded that people often approach love incorrectly, initially bestowing it upon another person. Instead, he theorized, one should cultivate love gradually, starting with inanimate things—a tree, a rock, a cloud. Through this method, he claimed to have mastered love, capable of loving anything at will.

The Philosophy Unfolds

Upon finishing his narrative, the boy questions whether the man has ever loved another woman. The man confesses that this ultimate form of love remains elusive, as he has yet to achieve it. With a parting reminder to the boy that he loves him, the man exits the café, leaving the young listener confused yet deeply touched by the encounter.

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