ABSTRACT
Aristotle had observed in other animal bodies that there were differences among various animal hearts. The one organ that had always intrigued him the most was the heart. Unfortunately, this specimen's heart was gone. The boy always felt an almost reverent awe when he carefully cut open what he felt was the center of life itself. He sat and stared at the mangled carcass for a while until the setting sun told him he had better wash up and help his mother with the evening meal. Soon it would be his birthday. It was good to be on his best behavior so he might start the autumn right. Aristotle followed timidly behind his father. He had no idea what to expect. His father sat him down on one of the stone stools. Then Nicomachus turned and walked to a cabinet at the far end of the room. It was made of rose-colored wood and badly chipped.
