Penguin Pie

Gaius returned with his pie in a brown paper bag.

Francine and the children came back from the interpretive centre.

Is he boring you with stories about the war? asked Francine.

No he isn't, said Sweezus.

You should've come with us, said Francine. We found out all sorts of interesting things about penguins. Didn't we children?

But the children were eying off Gaius' brown paper bag.

Did you know, for example, that penguins have backwards-pointing spines on their tongues to help them with swallowing their prey? she continued. And they have extra eyelids as well.

How INTERESTING, said Gaius. If you'd stayed here and listened you would have learned that from me.

Oh but there were illustrative panels in the interpretive centre, said Francine. So much more interesting for the children.

I want a pie, said Catherine.

Me too! said Jean.

No children, you've just had some snacks, said Francine. You can't have a whole pie. But I'm sure if you ask Uncle Gaius, he'll give you each a nice big piece of his pie.

Sorry, said Gaius. They won't like this pie.

Yes we will! said Catherine. We will!

No you won't, said Gaius.

Why? asked Catherine.

It's a penguin pie! said Gaius.

Catherine and Jean began to cry, and the grownups looked shocked.

Far out! said Sweezus. No wonder their numbers are down!