As a young boy, Crispin ventured into an orchard that the locals considered haunted. To prove his daring, he climbed over the wall and stole an apple. As he proudly ate it and considered how to prove his bravery to his friends, he heard birds discussing how they might peck out his eyes and eat his brains. The birds shared the same patrician voice, terrifying him. Despite rationalizing that he had imagined it, the voice would haunt Crispin’s dreams even into adulthood.

Martinian insists that Crispin visit Zoticus, the local alchemist, before setting off on his dangerous journey. To his surprise, Crispin discovers that Zoticus lives in the farmhouse attached to the very same orchard where the birds had frightened him. Though he knows it is a terrible idea, he climbs the wall and steals another apple. Zoticus arrives and observes, “Some people never learn, do they?”, having recognized Crispin’s aura from his youthful indiscretion (83).

Zoticus takes no offense for the thefts, inviting Crispin into his home. The appearance of multiple mechanical birds with their shared posh, drawling voice startles Crispin, challenging his belief that alchemy was no more than a parlor trick.