Picture of Rural Leonardo Da Vinci

Meeting

One day a young man named Jacobus Van Rensburg was walking in the hills of the Italian countryside. It was a beautiful day and he was happy to enjoy the scenery he saw around him. He stopped to watch the sunset, and that's when he heard a noise behind him. Turning around, he saw a man walking towards him with long strides.


When the man came up to him, Jacobus noticed his noble and distinguished air. The man wore elegant clothes and walked confidently. He walked further until Jacobus could see his face clearly: it was Leonardo da Vinci!


Jacobus didn't know what to say or do, so he just stood there without saying anything while Leonardo looked at him curiously. After several seconds that seemed like an eternity, Leonardo spoke: “Hello my friend! My name is Leonardo da Vinci”. Jacobus replied shyly "Hello Mr. Da Vinci" while Leonardo continued to speak: "I have heard stories about your village and I have come to see what it is."


Jacobus was surprised that Leonardo knew his village so far from his home, but he was happy to have the chance to meet this man so important for Italian and European culture in general. The two men talked together for a long time over the next few hours; Jacobus told Leonardo everything there was to know about his village - its people, its traditions - while Leonardo shared with him his passion for the arts and sciences. When the sun began to set, Leonard warmly thanked Jacobus for his kindness before taking his leave and returning to Florence where he lived.