Pike is a Black man working alongside his Native American friend. The two work odd jobs, and eventually settle for working for a German immigrant trained in horticulture named Hurd in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They stay with Harvard for a while, shaping, growing, and maintaining trees. Years after the two leave the job and part ways, they see in the newspaper that Hurd has died, which they discuss over the phone. They reminisce on the things Hurd taught them about plant life and human life in general. Some of the lessons were devastating, such as when Hurd disrupted a nest that a bird had built in one of their trees so that the tress wouldn't be affected. Though they were never close to Hurd, they formed a sentimental bond with him, so on their last day, they took Hurd out for a drink. Pike hoped to become a musician and his friend hoped to be an author, so Hurd congratulated them and wished them the best. They replied that it is Hurd who is lucky, getting to work with life at such an intimate scale as he does. The two later find success, and meet in California to discuss Hurd in person. Hurd had a heart attack while tied to a tree and died. But Pike reminds his friend not to let the death fool him, nor to let his current successful life fool him, for all new life grows over past life.