I know this guy. He could be me or any man. "He had been much reduced" - life had gound him to a nub and he felt unworthy, and lost and in this state he went on a ramble, an Odyssey, so to speak. He was lost but searching and it lead him to the bosom of nature, for escape, reflection, sustenance and rest. Here, with presence of mind and purpose he makes a bed, in which his heart speaks clearly to him through a dream. His repressed emotions are freed and it communicates to him about what his heart cannot bear to be without and what he must do. Despite the awkward shame of standing before his shocked family and friends upon returning, eventually his place is found and the open minds, forgiveness and sharing of the children welcome him such that he puts his fears of being accepted aside, revealed by the line, "to drive care away". Fear, Care, Love, Shame, Innocence and Healing of the Spirit and likely more are all found in this tale. We can get lost, but if we care about ourselves and listen, we can find a way home.