The storyline of this chapter centers on Zarathustra’s emotional homecoming to solitude, which he personifies as his homeland and a maternal figure. He addresses solitude directly, expressing that he lived too long in the wildness of foreign lands, leading him to return with tears. Solitude is depicted as both admonishing and welcoming, symbolizing a complex relationship between Zarathustra and his inner self.

Zarathustra grapples with feelings of isolation experienced not in solitude but among people. He contrasts the nurturing silence of solitude with the overwhelming noise and misunderstanding he encountered in society. Solitude is personified, engaging in a dialogue with Zarathustra, highlighting his internal conflict and the solace he finds in isolation.

The events narrated include Zarathustra’s reflections on past experiences where he felt more deserted among people than when alone. He recalls standing in a forest, uncertain and near a corpse, expressing his reliance on his animals to guide him, as he found interactions with people more perilous than with beasts. He remembers sitting on an island with empty buckets beside a well of wine, giving and pouring out to the thirsty, yet ultimately finding himself alone among the drunken and questioning the nature of giving and receiving.

Zarathustra also recounts the moment his “stillest hour” came, urging him to speak and break his silence, leading to a sense of being driven away from himself. He reflects on the disillusionment with humanity, where everything is spoken but nothing is understood, and wisdom is drowned out by the clamor of the marketplace. He observes that among people, everything becomes trivialized and secrets are exposed, leading to a loss of depth and meaning.

In his return to solitude, Zarathustra expresses immense relief and joy. He celebrates the pure air, the freedom to speak openly, and the liberation from the oppressive atmosphere of society. The chapter concludes with vivid imagery of the mountain air invigorating his soul, symbolizing a rejuvenation and a reclaiming of his authentic self.