In this chapter, we are introduced to Little Em'ly, who has been living with his mother for ten years. He is very shy and does not like to talk, so his mother tries to comfort him by telling him that he is his friend and that he should not be afraid to tell his family where he is from. He tells his mother that he wants to plant a tree in the wrong place, and she tells him to dig it out. She tells him that it has been ten years since they last saw each other, and that it is time for him to grow up. He asks her to help him plant the tree, and her response is that she will help him if he needs her help.