It is predawn as a young boy and girl sit on a hillside, awaiting the sun's first rays to expose an outcrop of granite that, from a distance, resembles the profile of a man.
The outcrop has been called for centuries the Old Man of the Mountain, or the Great Stone Face. (Note: For centuries, it has been a prophecy by local Indian tribes that a great man would appear some day with the same profile.) The young girl, Becky, believes the prophecy to be that if a young girl first sees the profile at dawn on the first day of summer, she will, in time, marry the Great Man when he arrives. Along for support, the little boy, Ernest, is pulling for himself as the eventual person whom Becky weds.
Five years pass, and the first of three possible candidates to fulfill Becky's prophecy appears. It is Mr. Midas Gathergold, the world's richest man, but unscrupulous business deals send him running. Becky is disappointed.
Another five years pass, and the second of three possible candidates to fulfill Becky's prophecy appears. It is Gen. B. T. "Blood 'n Thunder" Beauxcamp, the nation's greatest military man, but prejudice and bigotry send him running too. Becky is, again, disappointed.
Five more years pass, and the third of three possible candidates to fulfill Becky's prophecy appears. It is Stonham "Stony" Phiz, the nation's most popular politician, but waffling on issues and womanizing sends him running too. Becky is, once more, disappointed.
By the time yet another five years pass, Ernest, through his reading and wisdom becomes widely known as a noted philosopher. Among his favorite authors is Walden Wordsworth, a sagacious poet. Since Wordsworth has an equal appreciation of Ernest's beliefs, he decides to visit Ernest.
The two meet, share ideas, and their mutual admiration of each other grows. Ernest informs Becky that her prophecy will no doubt come true tonight as he intends to make the announcement to the town that the poet is indeed the Great Man. Becky smiles knowingly.
At the meeting, as he introduces the poet as the Great Man, the poet says, "Townspeople, can't you all see? I am not the Great Man. Ernest is." The town explodes into shock.
