When the lightning during the storm strikes in the contested forest, the huge birch tree that is struck by lightning pins Ulrich von Gradwitz and Georg Znaeym beneath its fallen branches. Held captive in this manner, the two enemies begin to reconsider their attitudes about each other.
Having been locked in conflict for generations, the two enemies who are now pinioned down near each other utter both "thank offerings and sharp curses." At first, the two men threaten that their entourages will reach them before the other's. Georg promises his men will free him, and in so doing, the mass of the trunk of the big tree will roll over the top of Ulrich. "For form's sake I shall send my condolences to your family," he says to his enemy. Ulrich claims his men will arrive first, and when they are able to release him from the branches, he will remember Georg's threat.
Only as you will have met your death poaching on my lands, I don't think I can decently send any message of condolence to your family.
As time passes and no men appear, Ulrich manages to bring his partially free arm around to his outer pocket and draw out his wine flask. After some time he manages to pour some of the warming liquid down his throat. Looking over at his enemy, Ulrich feels some pity and offers his suffering enemy some of his wine. Georg declines, telling him there is so much blood in his eyes that he can barely see; besides, he adds, he will not drink with an enemy.
Ulrich is quiet for a time, but "in the pain and languor that Ulrich himself was feeling," his hatred seems to die. Now, he calls Georg his neighbor, and he declares that if his men arrive first, he will have them help Georg first.
Lying here tonight, thinking, I've come to think we've been rather fools; there are better things in life than getting the better of a boundary dispute. Neighbor, if you will help me to bury the old quarrel, I—I will ask you to be my friend.
Georg Znaeym is silent for a long time—so long, in fact, Ulrich thinks that Georg may have fainted. At last, George answers haltingly:
How the whole region would stare and gabble if we rode into the market square together. No one living can remember seeing a Znaeym and a von Gradwitz talking to one another in friendship. And what peace there would be among the forester folk if we ended our feud tonight...I never thought to have wanted to do other than hate you all my life, but I think I have changed my mind about things...Ulrich von Gradwitz, I will be your friend.
They lie silently, imagining how things will be after this reconciliation. When no men appear after all this time, Ulrich suggests they shout for help. The two men raise their voices in a hunting call. In a short while, they hear sounds, but the sounds belong to neither company of men. Tragically, the men's conflict will soon end, but the end will come from their mutual deaths, not their reconciliation. For, the "rescue" company that runs toward them are not men, but wolves.
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