Le roman de Joël

Inside a sun‑splashed French villa, the elderly doctor Hugh Le Budinio starts his day by tending a strange pot of flowers, much to the astonishment of his faithful servant, Corentine Kerbiel. The scene unfolds with a lively exchange about a modest plant called veronica, which the doctor insists hides the true name of someone dear to the household. Through witty dialogue and vivid descriptions of the overgrown garden, the listener gets a taste of the humor and the under‑current of hidden affection that permeates the house.

The doctor's good intentions quickly turn comical when the fragile veronica topples from the window and shatters on the courtyard stones, prompting Corentine’s sharp—yet affectionate—reproach. This mishap hints at deeper secrets, especially around the enigmatic Maïna whose real name the doctor has been reluctant to reveal. As the morning chaos settles, listeners are invited to follow the characters through a story where simple gestures hide surprising revelations.