The Medicine Seller hadn't really expected Pitou to miss the point so spectacularly, but he'd hardly thought to change their lifelong perspective with a single question either.

It seemed that for it to make sense, they needed time, context and experience; something he could only marginally provide. He suspected some prolonged lecture on autonomy would only confuse them and he really wasn't the chatty sort anyway.

"You are much taller than the ants I have met," he said, resuming his trek up the path. The desiccated old hut came into view, as another strong, cold wind blew in off the sea, rattling the dolls in their perches.