White clouds floated in the blue expanse overlooking a vast green land where cows grazed serenely. Nothing indicated what country it was. In the foreground a child, mounted on a wooden horse, gazed toward the horizon, a mysterious semi-smile in his eyes. Omar wondered idly who did the painting as he sat alone in the waiting room. It was almost time for the appointment he’d made ten days earlier. The table in the middle of the room was strewn with newspapers and magazines; dangling over the edge was the photo of a woman accused of kidnapping children. He turned back to amuse himself with the painting—a pasture, cows, a child, the horizon. Although the painting had little value apart from its ornamental gold frame, he liked the searching child, the tranquil cows. But Omar’s condition was worsening, his eyelids were heavy and his heartbeats sluggish. There the child looks at the horizon, and how tightly it grips the earth, closes in upon the earth from any angle you observe it. What an infinite prison. Why the wooden horse, why the cows so full of tranquillity? Steady footsteps sounded in the hall outside, and then the male nurse appeared at the door, saying, “Come in, please.”

Would his old school friend recognize him after a quarter of a century? He entered the office of the distinguished physician. There he stood, smiling, a dark slender man with kinky hair and glowing eyes. He had hardly changed from their days in the school courtyard. The corner of his mouth had the same ironic turn, suggesting his old gaiety and sharp wit.

“Welcome, Omar. You’ve changed, but for the better!”

“I didn’t think you’d remember me.”

They shook hands warmly.

“What a giant you are! You were always very tall but now that you’ve put on weight you’ve become enormous,” he said, raising his head to Omar.

Omar smiled with pleasure and repeated, “I really didn’t think you’d remember me.”

“But I don’t forget anyone, so how could I forget you?”

It was a gracious welcome from one in his position. After all, a distinguished physician is widely renowned; who hears of the lawyer other than those with legal cases?

The physician laughed while surveying him and said, “You really have put on weight. You look like a business tycoon from the past, nothing missing except the cigar!”

A grin appeared on Omar’s dark, full face. Slightly abashed, he settled his glasses in place while raising his thick eyebrows.

“I’m happy to meet you again, Doctor.”

“And I you, though the occasion of seeing me is not usually pleasant.”

He returned to his desk, which was piled with books, papers, and various instruments and gestured to Omar to take a seat.