Another piece of the illustration that reinforces the fact that this old man is a gentle soul in tune with nature if not with the words of his wife is the one of a small bird about to light on his outstretched hand.
 

 
 

This is where the old man's attention is, not on those pesky readers.  For a bird to approach a human in this way, the person must be exceedingly still and maintain this stillness for a reasonably substantial amount of time.  The old man is capable of this kind of concentration, but does not choose to apply the ability to careful listening. This small piece connects thematically to the rest of the book.  Here is a benevolent being who will always stop for those in need- his rewards are well-deserved. Others may not share his priorities, but perhaps they are the ones who need to reconsider.

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