An historical scene, showing figures in a landscape. On the left is a donkey whose bridle is held by an elderly man with white hair and a long beard, dressed in a large heavy black coat. He is barefoot, and looks down at a young boy who sits on a grassy bank under a tree. He is about fifteen years old, with short dark hair, and wears a white collarless shirt, dark jacket and breeches, with light coloured stockings that have fallen down. In his left hand he holds open a small book; in front of him on the ground are pieces of torn paper. The hermit points to them. In the background is wooded landscape.