Chapter Five, Odd One Out Summary and Analysis

Daniel's struggle to interact with peers increases during his school years. He comes to realize that he has no friends and attempts to engage some of his classmates in conversation. However, his conversational skills more closely resemble those of an adult and the children soon loose interest in talking to him. In order to overcome his loneliness, Daniel invents several imaginary friends, most of whom are older than him. In particular, Daniel forms a close relationship with an imaginary older woman named Anne. She appears to him during recess while he walks among the trees. The two discuss philosophical matters and whatever else Daniel finds interesting. One day, Anne visits him for the last time and Daniel realizes that he must learn to associate with real people because he cannot have imaginary friends...