The walls we build around us to keep out the sadness also keep out the joy. The date is June 24, 1859. Suddenly, there he is, atop a hill overlooking the plain of Solferino. Napoleon's troops prepare for battle with the Austrians below, and Henri Dunant has a box seat view from his place on the hill.
Trumpets blare, muskets crack and cannons boom.
The two armies crash into each other as Henri looks on, transfixed. He sees the dust rising. He hears the screams of the injured. He watches bleeding, maimed men take their last breaths as he stares in horror at the scene below. Henri doesn't mean to be there.