L'Ingénu

Set on the breezy coast of Brittany in the late 1600s, the tale follows a kindly parish priest and his sister as they stroll along the sea‑shore, lost in memories of a brother lost to the New World. Their quiet reverie is interrupted when a small vessel drops ashore, delivering an unexpected visitor—a young Huron, fresh from the Atlantic currents, bearing a barrel of exotic water and a humble satchel of biscuits.

The newcomer’s striking appearance—bare‑headed, sandaled feet, and a simple, finely cut coat—draws immediate attention. Yet it is his unguarded curiosity and sincere politeness, expressed in clear French, that fascinates the French hosts. As they share the stranger’s exotic drink, cultural differences surface with gentle humor, revealing the clash between European refinement and the Huron’s natural honesty.

Through witty dialogue and keen observation, the narrative invites listeners to contemplate the naïve wisdom of an outsider confronting a world bound by ceremony and pretense, all while the gentle satire of Enlightenment thought ripples beneath the surface.