Janaki quickly found the burled and knotted relic tree resembling a wizened old hand with long emaciated fingers. The young woman pulled along side and began to search for the ring. The engagement box fell from the hollow space long ago, setting open and upside down on the ground. Janaki picked up the worn container to discover the ring was gone. She pushed aside a bed of paintbrush, goldenrod, cockleshell flowers, avalanche lilies, and more to look for the wedding band.