The boy wept as the elders passed judgement. In such a close-knit community trust was everything and in taking from the ramrod-straight pillars of this group, stood in their regimented rows, he had forsaken their trust and was to be excommunicated.

As his tears rained down on the carpet of yellow and green autumn leaves, the weak light rimming their greying hair, the elders banished the boy to the fringes of their lands, to survive on his wits and that which chance would bring.

At the back of the throng, leaning in slightly to catch a glimpse of his face, a young mother took note of the regretful pain in his eyes.