Once there was a village in a distant kingdom that had a vast forest next to it. And in this village lived a man who loved to go hunting. Every day he would rise early and go out into that vast forest and hunt for food for his family and friends.

The forest was deep and green and alive with animals of all kinds. The trees rose high into the air overhead and their branches soaked up the sun casting shadows about the forest floor beneath.

One day when this man was deep in the forest he was startled by the greeting of another person. The man turned round and round until he spotted who had called out the greeting. There about forty feet away sat a man on a large flat rock. He was dressed in the typical clothing of the village and held a stick in his hand.

The hunter approached the stranger and returned his greeting. He had never seen this man before in his village.

The hunter held out his hand and said, “My name is Talent. And you are?”

The stranger took his hand and shook it strongly and replied, “I am known as Task.”

“Well, Task, it is nice to meet you. What are you doing way out here in the middle of this vast forest… and alone?” Talent asked as he took a seat on the large flat rock next to Task.

“Ah, a great question.” Task laughed, “I am here waiting.”

“Waiting for what? Or who?” Talent asked.

Task thought for a long while and then replied, “I am waiting for anyone who comes along.”

“Well you are far from any villages that I know of. I can’t imagine there are many people that come along out here.” Talent shifted on the rock and watched the shadows from the tall trees dance along the forest floor.

“Well it seems that I didn’t have to wait that long, for here you are.” Task replied.

“Well you’ve chosen a great place to wait. This clearing is beautiful. I love the forest. It always feels more like home than home does sometimes.” Talent said thoughtfully, then asked, “Why were you waiting for someone to come along?”

“Oh, that’s an easy question to answer. I come here often and wait. I know that anyone who happens along here has to be of a certain kind of person. And it is those kind of people I long to talk to most.” Task replied and then reached into his bag and pulled out a piece of freshly baked bread.

The smell of the bread filled the whole clearing and it made Talent’s stomach growl. Task laughed at the sound and said, “Sounds like someone is hungry.”

Talent smiled and replied, “Yes, I am!”

“Take and eat!” Task said as he broke the bread in half and gave half of it to Talent. Talent devoured it quickly. The taste was of honey and milk and melted in his mouth.

“Thank you so much. You’re very kind. This is the most delicious bread I’ve ever tasted.” Talent exclaimed.

“You are very welcome my friend.” Task said as he stood up. “I must go now but I will return here soon and perhaps you’ll come along again to share my bread.”

Talent stood as well, “Yes, thank you I will.”

And with that Task walked into the forest and disappeared among the trees leaving Talent standing alone in the clearing.

And for many days, and weeks, and months, and years Talent went into the forest and ate bread that Task had to share.