Two Cooees And A Cooee

Cooee! 

That will be Margaret, says Gaius. 

He speeds up.

Terence is behind him, with Prawny.

Cooee! They hear it again.

You're meant to answer, says Terence.

I'd rather not, says Gaius. She must be nearby.

I could send my parrot, says Terence.

Me? says Prawny.

If you could fly, says Terence.

What would I do if I could? asks Prawny.

You'd fly up and spy Margaret, says Terence. Then you'd fly down and tell us.

Tell you what? asks Prawny.

Where she was, says Terence.

Cooee! They hear it again.

That cooee seemed to be coming from a different direction, says Gaius.

Stop, says Prawny, Throw me up and maybe I'll spy her.

Can I? asks Terence.

May as well try, says Gaius.

Terence throws Prawny into the air.

Prawny wasn't ready.

He falls to earth beside Terence.

See her? asks Terence.

I wasn't ready, says Prawny. Throw me again.

Ready? asks Terence.

Throw me so I'm already facing in the right direction, says Prawny.

That's too hard, says Terence. We don't know the right direction.

Give Prawny to me, says Gaius. I'll do it.

He throws Prawny, in such a way that he hopes Prawny is facing in the right direction.

A hiker comes up behind them,

Hello, says the hiker. Ow! What was that?

She bends down and picks up Prawny.

We don't encourage littering at Mawson Ponds, says the hiker.

It's my parrot, says Terence.

Our prawn, says Gaius. It was up aloft, briefly, looking for our colleague.

The hiker looks unconvinced.

To her it's a headless prawn with two baby bird feathers.

She has not spotted the eye or the mouth hole.

So when Prawny says: Guess what? I saw her! I saw Margaret! she is astonished.

Ears Peeled

Ten minutes is long.

Terence is sinking.

What if he's down here forever, turning slimy and green?

Something slimy and green floats towards him.

And sticks to his face.

Yeerk! Bluh! 

A fish comes by, and nibbles at the slimy green thing stuck to his face.

Another fish joins the first fish.

This is new, says the first fish.

They both swim away.

Bumhole!

Terence would have liked to ask them a question.

But he can't talk underwater.

What's this though?

Two legs with feet at the bottom. Two hands grasp Terence by the waist. 

Squelch! Pop! He is rescued by Gaius.

Yikes! says Terence. That was close.

How did you happen to be in the water? asks Gaius.

The ground wasn't there, says Terence.

Come and sit down with Prawny, while you dry off, says Gaius.

Okay, says Terence. 

Gaius puts Terence down beside Prawny.

Did you find a bell frog? asks Prawny.

No, says Terence. Two fish tried to eat me.

They were probably trying to eat that green algae stuck to your face, says Gaius.

How did you know where I was? asks Terence.

Prawny told me, says Gaius. You can be grateful to him.

I heard you fall in, says Prawny.

I didn't FALL in, says Terence.

Never mind, says Gaius. I wonder how Margaret is going.

He calls Margaret.

Gaius! says Margaret. I think I've located some of the frog saunas. 

We'll join you, says Gaius. How far away are you?

About ten minutes walk from where we parted, says Margaret. In the direction I went.

We're sure to find you, says Gaius. But it might help if you whistle.

Margaret does not normally whistle.

She's not sure if she can.

I'll cooee, says Margaret. 

Fine, says Gaius. We'll listen out for your cooee.

Is she going to cooee? asks Terence.

What's cooee? asks Prawny.

When someone goes COO-EE! says Terence. 

I hope she doesn't frighten the frogs, says Gaius. 

They'll just think it's lame, says Terence.

I hope you're right, says Gaius.

If I was a frog I would, says Terence.

Are you dry yet? asks Gaius.

Yes, let's go! says Terence.

They set off, ears peeled for lame cooees.

Into The Mud

Prawny suspects Terence has fallen into the pond.

But what can he do?

He can't move forward.

Then he remembers the call of the green and golden bell frog. 

He tries it,

Rr! Rr! Rr!

A green and golden bell frog hops over.

Was that you?

Yes, says Prawny. I was trying to sound like a motor bike.

Why? asks the green and golden bell frog.

To attract a green and golden bell frog, says Prawny.

Well, you did, says the green and golden bell frog. But you're bad at it.

It's my small mouth hole, says Prawny.

So it is, says the bell frog. Did you want anything in particular?

Yes! says Prawny. I think Terence has fallen into the water.

Something has, says the bell frog.

It's probably him, says Prawny.

What does he look like? asks the bell frog.

Like a boy, says Prawny. With curls and a claw.

Boys don't have claws, says the bell frog.

It's not his claw, says Prawny. Can you help him?

Why don't you help him? asks the bell frog.

Can't, says Prawny. I haven't learned how to get things.

How did you get those wings then? asks the bell frog. They don't look like prawn wings.

I'm training to be a parrot, says Prawny.

Who's your trainer? asks the bell frog.

A real parrot, says Prawny.

Meanwhile, time is wasting. 

If Terence has really fallen into the pond, he'll be expecting someone to save him.

And he is.

Under the water, beyond the reeds, Terence is waiting.

And thinking.

Only Prawny knows where he went.

And Prawny can't move on his own. 

But Gaius said he'd be back in ten minutes.

Then Prawny can tell him...

and Gaius will come...

and save his main frog guy.

If he can see him.

Terence wonders if he is visible from above.

It would be good if his curls were sticking up out of the water.

He wriggles his toes.

And sinks deeper into the mud.

Main Frog Guy

Gaius and Margaret are cycling towards Mawson Ponds.

Gaius is on Minnie's good bike and Margaret is on Minnie's old one.

Terence and Prawny are in the good bike's front basket.

They are talking about what they will do when they get there.

I'm the main frog guy, says Terence. Beause I know what they look like.

I know what they look like, says Prawny.

So you're the second frog guy, says Terence. If you see one, tell me.

Okay, says Prawny. Then what?

We tell Gaius, says Terence.

And me, says Margaret, who has been listening.

And Margaret, next, says Terence.

Then what? asks Prawny.

We ask them some questions, says Gaius. 

Assuming they'll talk to us, says Margaret.

There are four of us, says Gaius. At least one of us should be able to coax them to answer.

The one they like best! says Terence.

Indeed, says Gaius. So I want you to think up some questions, and how you will ask them.

Okay, says Terence.

Okay, says Prawny.

They are at Mawson Ponds now.

They are very big ponds. The green and golden bell frogs could be anywhere.

Shall we stick together or separate? asks Margaret.

You go that way, says Gaius. I'll go this way. We'll keep in touch by phone.

Which way can we go? asks Terence.

You stay here with the bikes, says Gaius. And listen out for frog calls. I'll return in ten minutes.

What do the frog calls sound like? asks Prawny.

I was going to ask that, says Terence.

Like a motor bike, says Gaius. A motor bike revving up.

Not a bell, says Margaret.

No, says Gaius. Not a bell.

Gaius goes off that way. Margaret goes off the other way.

Terence and Prawny remain with the bikes.

Rrrr! Rrrr! Rrrr! 

Ding! 

What are those sounds? 

Wait here Prawny, says Terence. 

He leaves Prawny on his own and tiptoes to the reeds at the edge of a nearby pond.

Rustle rustle.

Splash!

Is Prawny about to become the main frog guy? 

Visions Of Dust

The superb parrot has gone.

Interesting take on the bell frogs, says Katherine.

Up themselves, says Gaius. Who would have thought?

I suppose they have been given special treatment, says Margaret.

I'm sure parrots exaggerate sometimes, says Minnie.

What's exaggerate? asks Terence.

Making something sound worse than it is, says Margaret.

Or better, says Katherine.

Parrots don't do that, says Terence.

Not your parrots, says Gaius. They have, in the main, been reliable.

Like Arthur, says Katherine.

Yes like Arthur, says Gaius.

Who's Arthur? asks Prawny.

A guy we know, says Terence. He gets things.

He obtains things, says Gaius. Things I've forgotten.

But he's not with us at present, says Katherine. 

Maybe Prawny can get things, says Terence.

Prawny wonders what things.

They would need to be small things.

What are everyone's plans for this afternoon? asks Minnie.

I should like to visit Mawson Ponds, says Gaius. Can you give me an idea of the distance?

Not far at all, says Minnie. Mawson is right next to Chifley.

Within walking distance? asks Gaius.

Yes, says Minnie. Or you could borrow my bike.

Have you got two bikes? asks Margaret. Because I'll be going with him.

Curses. Gaius hopes there is only one bike. 

But then Margaret would probably have it, and be first to arrive at the Ponds.

Yes, says Minnie. Two bikes.

So that's that, then.

What about you Katherine? asks Minnie. 

I thought I'd do some sight-seeing, says Katherine. It's ages since I was last here.

I'll come with you, says Minnie. We'll go to the War Memorial first.

The War Memorial!

Katherine has visions of khaki, artillery, and dust.

Uh Cu Su

 Minnie returns with a protein ball, covered in seeds.

That looks tempting, says the superb parrot.

Help yourself, says Minnie.

What can Prawny have? asks Terence.

I'm not hungry says Prawny.

If you eat a protein ball you cannot but bounce, says Margaret.

He's too small to eat a protein ball, says Katherine.

I'm not serious, says Margaret.

What's a bounce? asks Prawny.

It's when you go boing! says Terence.

That is not the full explanation, says Gaius. To bounce is to move up, back or away after hitting a surface.

That's what I want to do, says Prawny.

The superb parrot gives Prawny a seed.

Now what?

Prawny has a seed in his mouth hole.

But he is not bouncing up or away from the table.

What's the trouble? asks Terence.

Uh cu su, mumbles Prawny.

He can't say, says Gaius. But my guess is that he was expecting to bounce right away.

Gaius lifts Prawny and lets him drop to the table.

Boing!

Prawny bounces a little.

Whether he would have bounced anyway, is debatable.

Yay! says Terence. You bounced! Was it like flying?

I think so, says Prawny, having spat out his seed on the way

Wonderful, says Gaius. 

Well, I must be going, says the superb parrot. Thanks for the snack, lady.

You're welcome, says Minnie.

Perhaps we'll see you again, says Gaius. We're here to check on the green and golden bell frogs.

Them! says the superb parrot.

You know them? asks Gaius.

The ones at Mawson Ponds? asks the superb parrot.

Yes, I believe that's where they were released, says Gaius.

With their fancy spa, and so on? asks the superb parrot.

It appears you know them, says Gaius. 

Oh yes, says the superb parrot. You'll find them somewhat up themselves. Don't tell them I said so.

He heads for the door.

As The Wind Blows

Minnie does not look at her red-spotted windows.

She is looking at Prawny, on her doorstep.

So is Terence.

Can you fly now? asks Terence.

Only downwards, says Prawny.

And sideways, says the superb parrot. As the wind blows.

Do the wings help? asks Minnie.

Yes, says Prawny.

Come inside, and show the others, says Minnie.

Prawny? says Terence.

What? asks Prawny.

Do I have to pick you up or can you fly in sideways? asks Terence.

Pick me up, says Prawny. There's no wind in here.

Terence lifts Prawny and carries him to the dining room table where the others are eating their lunch.

The superb parrot makes his own way to the table.

They're back, says Minnie.

Prawny looks different, says Katherine.

It's the wings, says Margaret.

Feathers, says Gaius. 

You're right, says the superb parrot. These are baby feathers from my eldest, who no longer requires them.

They're stuck in, says Prawny.

Woo! says Terence. What if they fall out?

You can stick thm back in, says the superb parrot. It's quite easy.

Can we see how they work? asks Katherine.

Okay, says Prawny. Put me down on the table.

Terence puts him down on the table.

Prawny launches himself ...

And flutters gently to the floor.

Well done, Prawny, says Gaius.

Thanks, says Prawny. But I can't fly up again.

Can he have another lesson? asks Terence.

No, I've done all I can do, says the superb parrot.

Will you stay for a snack? asks Minnie.

What snacks do you have? asks the superb parrot.

I have protein balls somewhere, says Minnie. 

I'll try a peck, says the superb parrot.

Minnie goes off to find her protein balls.

Did Prawny teach you how to play Cannot But Be? asks Terence.

I think so, says the superb parrot.

Go on then, says Terence.

What if you eat a protein ball? asks the superb parrot.

I don't know, says Terence. 

Cannot but bounce! says the superb parrot.

Everyone is impressed by the degree of sophistication, shown by a beginner.