The news of the scientist lost in the jungle, who had miraculously survived and returned to Europe, spread rapidly across Poland.
Journalists, colleagues, and curious onlookers arrived from all corners to document the extraordinary story and hear the details firsthand.
Eustakio, ever the natural teacher, quickly embraced the attention. He narrated his incredible journey to anyone who came to listen.
He described the new insect species he had discovered, the fevers that nearly claimed him, the harsh choices he had to make, and the fateful attack by a jungle tribe. They had spared him while consuming his companions, leaving him as the lone survivor.
In every interview, however, Eustakio hinted at something even more profound—something the tribal people had revealed that he claimed would change the world's understanding of nature forever.
Frank, watching his father recount his adventures, felt like a child again, filled with admiration for the man who had once been his hero. But now Frank was no longer a boy; he was a man, and he understood that the world he had shared with his parents—their old life together—was gone.
Nelka, his mother, had moved on. She had remarried, had a young daughter, and seemed at peace with her new life. She didn't regret her decision to let go of the past.
"I understand, son," Eustakio said quietly one evening. "Your mother has built a new life, and I don't blame her. No one believed I'd return. I wouldn't have wanted her to lose the chance to be happy. Besides, there's so much left for me to do, so much to show the world."
It wasn't long before Eustakio began preparing for a whirlwind of university lectures and public talks. At first, the scientific community and the general public alike were captivated. His discoveries, his survival story, and the mysteries of the jungle drew eager crowds.
But as time went on, the fascination began to wane. The world moved on, and Eustakio's once-extraordinary tale became just another story—fading into the background, a brief marvel replaced by the next big news.
Frank watched it all unfold, both proud and saddened. His father's grand return, once heralded as a miracle, was losing its luster.
