Living in cluttered chaos on the edge of the village, the hermit would be the butt of ridicule and sometimes distrust by the community. Bartering with gypsies and smallholders kept him and his pony fed. To him chaos was comfortable -- his fire on a winter's night, his dog at his feet, and his thoughts were enough.

During the first year of production alterations were made to the trees. On later models gaps were filled in with greenery to make casting and demoulding easier. Hermit's Humble Home, together with House of the Master Mason, House on Top, and Woodcutter's Cottage are sometimes referred to by collectors as David's Fantasy Series -- all popular pieces on the secondary market. They were all retired on the same day, June 1, 1988.