Culbano, one of the People of the Trees, is tending the shrine of his people's Great Ones. He is shot and killed by Zusala, who steals the three idols. As she climbs down from the tree, she drops one and is unable to retrieve it. She hopes that Aulian Thorolis, for whom she stole the idols, will accept just the two. In the TARDIS, the Doctor receives a psychic message from the People, asking for his help. He helped them once, long ago in his first incarnation. He saved the People from the other natives of the planet, the Dascarians, who think the People are ignorant savages.