Summary

This story tells the tale of young Marco Polo, trapped and lost in the dessert. A horrible sand storm has separated him from the caravan led by his father and uncle.

Marco recalls a story his mother told him when he was younger. The story was about the Sandman, a character who throws sand into your eyes to make you sleep. That explains the residue in your eyes upon waking each morning.

Marco keeps hearing songs from different eras. He first meets Rustichello, the man who later writes Marco's accounts of his world travels while the two are in jail. Rustichello is certain he is dreaming, which confuses Marco. Marco, not sure if he is dreaming or is simply part of Rustichello's dream, continues looking for his uncle and his father's caravan.

The two men meet a stranger who has...