Not Yet The Tail

Let's go! says Terence.

We should wait here for Rosalie to come back, says Gaius.

And Prawny, says Margaret. 

What if she puts Prawny down while she looks for her torch? says Terence.

She's unlikely to do that, says Gaius. She'll be needing his help.

But if Prawny spotted the torch she might put him down then, says Terence.

I suppose she might, says Gaius. But only while she steps into the water to pick up her torch.

What if she forgets him? says Terence.

Then the bell frogs will eat him, says Margaret.

I KNOW! says Terence. That's why I'm asking.

Rosalie has arrived at the far side of the pond and is visible.

She waves at Gaius, Margaret and Terence.

Look, says Margaret. Rosalie's waving!

Is she waving Prawny or a torch? asks Terence.

Prawny, says Margaret.

You have good eyesight, says Gaius.

I know, says Margaret. 

She's going in! cries Terence. Has she still got Prawny?

I think so, says Margaret. She's now bending down.

I hope that means she's found something, says Gaius.

Maybe Prawny's tail, says Terence. 

Rosalie is standing up now, waving something. 

It's her torch, says Gaius. 

Where's Prawny? asks Terence.

Perhaps in her other hand, says Margaret.

She's bending down again, says Terence. She must have dropped him.

Or she spotted his tail, says Gaius. 

That would mean Rosalie gets the reward, says Terence.

Better her than the frogs, says Margaret. Rosalie won't want to eat Prawny.

Rosalie has disappeared again.

She's returning, says Gaius.

All we can do is wait, says Margaret.

To find out what happened, says Terence.

Not long now, says Gaius. I near footsteps.

Rosalie appears on the track, waving her torch.

Found it! says Rosalie.

Where's Prawny! asks Terence.

Here, says Rosalie. Now I really must get going, my lunch hour is well and truly over. Prawny can tell you what happened.

She hands Prawny to Terence.

But not Prawny's tail.

The Problem Is What It Is

Margaret goes back to the others.

Did you find it? asks Rosalie.

Not yet, says Margaret. I came back with bad news.

What? asks Terence.

You may not want to hear this, says Margaret.

We do, says Gaius. 

I don't, says Prawny. 

I do, says Terence. But Prawny doesn't. 

I'll take Prawny away, says Rosalie. 

Where will you take me? asks Prawny.

A quick dash to the other side of the pond, says Rosalie. I might spot my torch in the water.

I'll help you, says Prawny. 

He's good at looking, says Terence. 

With one eye? says Rosalie.

If you point him where he's supposed to be looking, says Terence.

Okay, says Rosalie.

She picks up Prawny and hurries away.

Now tell us the bad news, says Gaius.

 I heard the bell frogs discussing their snack, says Margaret.

The snack of their choice? says Gaius. Was it something that would be hard to find?

On the contrary, says Margaret.

That would be hard to find, says Terence.

What on earth are you talking about? says Margaret.

A contrary, says Terence.

Contrary means the opposite, says Gaius. Therefore something easy to find. So what's the problem?

The problem is what it is, says Margaret.

And what is it? asks Gaius. 

Prawny's soft parts! says Margaret.

They want to eat Prawny? says Terence. 

They intend to claim his soft parts as a reward, says Margaret.

Surely not, says Gaius. Have they not thought it through?

Perhaps they have, by now, says Margaret. But I thought I should tell you.

Indeed, says Gaius. It's best if we're prepared.

Wait, says Terence. They can't eat Prawny because there'd be nothing to glue his tail to.

Even Terence can think this through, says Gaius.

And I know what we can do, says Terence.

Tell us, says Gaius.

Give them another prawn and tell them it's Prawny, says Terence.

That is a clever solution, says Gaius. How would they know the difference?

Only that Prawny can speak and has feelings, says Margaret. And has two identifying holes in his sides where the feathers were.

Well yes, admittedly, those could be problems.

Soft Parts

You should get out of our water, says the bell frog who didn't eat Prawny.

We're going, says Terence.

Yes, we're going, says Gaius. Then you can start searching.

He carries Terence back to the edge of the pond, and deposits him there.

Where's my torch? asks Rosalie.

Terence has it, says Gaius.

I haven't, says Terence.

I hope you didn't drop it in the water, says Rosalie.

Me too, says Terence. But if I did, the bell frogs will find it.

Indeed they will, says Gaius. They will be searching for Prawny's tail and no doubt stumble across it.

Why are they searching for my tail? asks Prawny.

I must apologise, says Gaius. I might have lost it.

We think it fell into the water, says Terence. And guess what?

What? asks Prawny. 

They get a reward if they find it, says Terence. A snack of their choice.

I really can't wait any longer, says Rosalie. I'm on a late lunch break.

Why don't you wade ito the water and look for it yourself, says Margaret. That's what I'd do.

We aren't supposed to interfere with the bell frogs, says Rosalie.

Nonsense, says Margaret. I'll go, then. 

She steps into the pond.

She sees the two green and golden bell frogs splashing about on the far side, in front of the sauna.

She stops. They don't look like they're searching.

She moves closer. Hears them talking.

Famous! says the one who didn't eat Prawny. Woohoo!

Aren't we already famous? says the neighbour.

Only as a group, says the one who didn't eat Prawny. This would be just US!

They might make a video of us doing it, says the neighbour.

How? asks the one who didn't eat Prawny.

We could do a reenactment, says the neighbour.

Yes, says the one who didn't eat Prawny. And then eat our snack.

What snack will we choose? asks the neighbour.

The prawn's tail might be nice, says the one who didn't eat Prawny.

So how come you didn't eat it when you had the chance? asks the neighbour.

I tried, but I was choking on feathers, says the one who didn't eat Prawny.

We can't ask for the tail as our snack, says the neighbour. It's what were supposed to be finding.

I guess not, says the one who didn't eat Prawny.

We could ask for the soft parts, says the neighbour.

They start laughing Rr! Rr! Hey! Hey!

And dive down to start looking.

Margaret is torn between two imperatives.

Finding Rosalie's torch, and going back to tell the others what might happen to Prawny's soft parts.

Reward For Who

Greetings! says Gaius. Thank you, bell frogs, for showing your faces.

Thank you, says Terence. 

Like we had a choice, says the green and golden bell frog who didn't eat Prawny.

I had a choice, says the neighbour. 

Yes, you did, says the green and golden bell frog that didn't eat Prawny.

We didn't even know you were there, says Terence.

Yes you did, says the one who didn't eat Prawny. 

He means me, says the neigbour.

As a matter of fact we did know, says Gaius. 

Did we? asks Terence.

You didn't, says Gaius. But Margaret spotted a second bell frog knocking.

Was that you knocking? asks the green and golden bell frog.

Yes it was me, says his neighbour. 

What did you want? asks the green and golden bell frog.

I thought I heard choking, says his neighbour. 

It was a prawn, says the bell frog that didn't eat Prawny. Would you believe it had feathers?

No, I wouldnt, says the neighbour.

It did, says Gaius. Allow me to show you.

He takes two bedraggled feathers from his shorts pocket.

That proves nothing, says the neighbour.

Point taken, says Gaius.

I recognise those feathers, says the one who didn't eat Prawny. What happened to the tail?

I have the tail too, says Gaius. I'm intending to replace it later on.

He tries to find Prawny's tail in his pocket, but it's awkward, as he's still holding Terence.

Give it to me, says Terence. I'll show them.

I can't find it, says Gaius. Maybe it's stuck to the feathers.

He hands Terence the feathers.

But nothing appears to be stuck to the feathers.

Let us look, says the one who didn't eat Prawny.

Okay, says Terence. 

He reaches forward and gives each frog a feather.

The frogs comb through the feathers.

But no prawn tail is found.

It may have fallen into the water, says Gaius.

Yikes! says Terence. Prawny wants his tail back.

He shouldn't have lost it, says the one who didn't eat Prawny.

Right, says Terence. There's a reward for who finds it!

What a good idea, says Gaius. 

What's the reward? asks the neighbour.

You get famous, says Terence. 

Plus a snack of your choice, says Gaius.

The two bell frogs look at one another.

Rr! You're on! croak the bell frogs.

Which Hole?

Prawny sees Rosalie coming.

She's coming! says Prawny.

Which way? asks Terence.

The way that I'm looking, says Prawny.

I'm here, says Rosalie. Has anything happened?

We don't know, says Terence. Let's go!

I've brought a torch, says Rosalie. 

Can I hold it? asks Terence.

I suppose so, says Rosalie. 

You take Prawny, says Terence.

She hands Terence the torch, and takes Prawny, who feels rather warm.

They head back to the pond.

I've got the torch! says Terence. Can I shine it into the hole?

No, says Gaius. You're not to go into the water.

But I'm the main frog guy, says Terence.

You could carry him across to the hole, suggests Margaret.

Thank you, Margaret, says Gaius.

But Terence is already certain it's going to happen.

Shall I give it a warning? asks Terence.

A kind thought, says Gaius. Since you thought of it, you deserve to be part of the action.

Yay! says Terence.

Gaius picks Terence up and steps into the water. 

He wades across the pond to the hole.

Which hole is it? asks Terence.

This one! says a frog voice.

I'm giving you a warning, says Terence.

Is it you that threw the prawn into my hole? asks the frog voice.

Yes, says Terence. It was me.

That's when I needed a warning, says the frog voice.

A warning not to try and eat Prawny, says Terence.

I didn't, says the frog voice.

His tail came off, says Terence.

Ask the frog if he's recovered, says Gaius.

Have you recovered? asks Terence.

No, says the frog voice. 

Ask him if he'd like to come out for a checkup, says Gaius.

Would you like to come out for a checkup? asks Terence.

Who's asking? says the frog voice.

Me, says Terence. And Gaius. 

No, says the frog voice. I wouldn't.

Then I'll blast this torch on you, says Terence. You'll get blinded.

All right I'll come out, says the frog voice.

Well done Terence, says Gaius. 

The green and golden bell frog's face appears at the entrance to the brick hole.

And another green and golden bell frog's face appears at the entrance next door.

RUOK! RUOK!

I'll keep Prawny's tail, and glue it on later, says Gaius. 

What about my wings? asks Prawny.

You may not want the wings, says Gaius.

Are they ruined? asks Terence.

Pretty much, says Gaius.

Prawny can get new ones, says Terence.

Or do without, says Margaret. 

I'll do without, says Prawny.

They were only feathers, says Margaret. 

Juvenile feathers, says Gaius.

Yes! says Terence. Prawny needs proper wings!

I don't want proper wings, says Prawny. I just want my tail back.

Later, says Gaius. I have fish glue in my back pack at Minnie's.

Okay, says Prawny. What can I do in the meantime?

Whatever Terence thinks best, says Gaius.

Let's look out for Rosalie, says Terence. 

Good idea, says Gaius. If you hold Prawny aloft, he'll see her coming. Meanwhile Margaret and I will keep an eye on the hole.

So Terence takes Prawny a short way down the track at the side of the pond, and holds Prawny aloft.

Turn me, says Prawny. I've only got one eye.

It's hard to turn you without your tail, says Terence.

Turn yourself then, says Prawny.

You're pretty smart, says Terence. 

Am I? asks Prawny.

Can you see her? asks Terence.

No, says Prawny.

They wait.

Gaius and Margaret are keeping an eye on the hole.

Did you hear something? asks Margaret.

Rr! says Gaius. But that was before.

Something is poking out, says Margaret. A frog's leg, it looks like.

I don't see it, says Gaius.

There! says Margaret, pointing.

Ah yes! Gaius can see it. But it's not the right hole.

It's knocking, says Margaret.

Frogs don't knock, says Gaius.

It appears to be knocking, says Margaret. Maybe it's checking on its neighbour.

Of course! says Gaius. It would have heard sounds of choking, and coughing and a subsequent lack of volume in the croak.

Now look! says Margaret. The one that was choking is poking its head out! 

So is the other one, says Gaius. If only we could hear what they're saying.

RUOK? says Margaret.

What? says Gaius.

Just my joke, says Margaret. I really can't hear them. I thought it was what a frog might say to a fellow frog in trouble. It sounds a like a croak. RUOK!

I'm not used to you making jokes, Margaret, says Gaius. I'm glad you've explained it.

He laughs belatedly.

Something Feathery Vibrating

 Rosalie reaches the black brick hole first.

It's one of many.

But only one emits sounds of coughing.

She stoops and looks in.

Do you have a torch? she asks Gaius.

Not with me, says Gaius. Perhaps Margaret will have one.

He turns to ask Margaret if she has a torch.

No, sorry, says Margaret.

If I was a proper parrot I'd get one, says Prawny.

Yes! says Terence. You're learning!

Learning what I can't do, says Prawny.

At least you're trying, says Terence.

I'm not trying, says Prawny. I caused all this trouble.

What trouble? asks Terence.

The frog we're supposed to be observing is choking, says Margaret. That's trouble.

It's not Prawny's fault, says Terence.

So is it your fault? asks Margaret. You wanted Prawny to fly.

It's the super-parrot's fault, says Terence. He gave Prawny the wings.

Su-PERB parrot, says Margaret.

He was trying to help me, says Prawny.

You should call him, says Terence. He might bring us a torch.

This is not a great idea for two reasons.

1. Prawny has no way of calling the superb parrot

2. The superb parrot will not have a torch

But a torch is not needed.

Gaius has reached into the hole and pulled out Prawny's tail.

Prawny's tail! calls Gaius.

Yay! says Terence. Hear that, Prawny?

Yay, mutters Prawny.

The coughing is getting louder, says Gaius. I'll reach in again.

He reaches into the darkness and yes! he feels something feathery, vibrating. 

Prawny's wings?

He draws them out slowly.

Yes, it's them. Two straggly juvenile superb parrot feathers.

No longer good for anything.

A frog voice is heard, from the hole.

Rr! Rr! 

Are you all right in there? asks Gaius.

Rr...

It doesn't sound very vigorous, says Rosalie.

No it doesn't, says Gaius. What should we do?

I'll fetch a torch, says Rosalie. You wait here. 

She wades out of the shallow pond and heads off to get one.

Gaius wades back to Terence and Prawny, and shows them the tail he's recovered.

But not the feathers.