“For centuries, the Caviteños of the Philippines have carried on a tradition of burying their dead inside trees. When the elder is ready, they venture into nature to select it themselves. If this doesn’t work, that may be the last earthly business for me to do.“
“You’re here alone? Where did you live before you came here?“
“All over the world. The Philippines, Bali, Hawaii. About anywhere there were shells.“
“You went to school somewhere.“
“I didn’t need to. We had an encyclopedia. I started at “A” when I was 8, and now I’ve reached “T”. I bet I know a lot more things than you do.“
