The great bear's gallop steadies, slows, and finally stops a few paw-falls away from the edge of the Tree's shadow. This is as far as I go, he says. I'll wait for you here.

There are no nuts or seeds on the ground, no sign of blossom among the branches. If Suzi finds a fallen branch or leaf, she won't find a similarity with any other tree she's ever seen. There are no other trees like this, no kindred species. Only this one.