Beware That Old Talking Tree Leaner

I was out for a walk in the backwoods this morning and decided to go on as far as the headwaters of the lake. As I was getting to where I was in sight distance of the water I saw an old man leaning against a tree ahead in the distance. I walked on a bit getting closer to the guy and as I did I started becoming concerned. Was this old dude dead out here? Just stuck there against a tree? I walked on but more slowly. He was less than fifty feet ahead and I slowed down even more. It got to the point where I was barely moving because of the dread of what I would find. I thought about going around a different way.

But, what if he is still alive and I can get help?

I was standing about three feet away and that was when I decided I was going to turn around and...

"Howdy!" A bright welcoming voice but I still winced at the sound of it.

I turned back around and the old dude was looking at me, still leaning in against the tree. "Are you alright?" I asked.

He raised up off of that tree, wrinkled up his eyebrows and put his hand up under his chin. He looked up and off to the heavens somewhere and worked his jaws and lips as he seemed to put every ounce of his energy into thought.

After about 3 minutes of that he looked at me with crystal clear eyes full of understanding and knowledge and said, "What?"

He leaned back his head a bit and his eyes widened. I was thinking of Marty Feldman doing Igor in Young Dr Frankenstien.

Well it was obvious that this was some nut and now I was starting to worry about whether or not he might have a weapon or even some contagious disease. I was going to get out of there! I turned around and took about three steps, slowly listening, I don't know why. Maybe it was that same feeling you have when you are trying to sneak away from that baby who has finally fallen asleep.