Do We Look For Purpose or For Reason?

They arrive at Goolwa Beach. The carpark is full of horses, horse floats and riders, packing up to leave.

There are no horses on the beach. Only a few dog walkers and their dogs.

The tide is out and the sand is hard and flat. Waves crash inconsequentially. There is a soft cool breeze.

The VeloDrone is in a philosophical mood.

You see these empty cockle shells? says The VeloDrone.

I see them, says Le Bon David. They seem to be everywhere and lying higgledy-piggledy.

Higgledy-piggledy, says The VeloDrone. Yes. And all of them are joined together in pairs. But notice how some of them are lying open this way, and others are lying open that way.

Which way? asks Gaius.

Some are wide open and therefore diametrically opposed, says The Velodrone, and others are lying on top of one another and obliquely opposed.

So they are, says Le Bon David. I wonder what that means?

What it means! says Gaius. Perhaps you should ask an oracle. Perhaps it augurs something evil.

Nonsense, says David. It's just a random thing

Yes, but is it? asks The VeloDrone. It may indeed mean something. It depends, I think , on what you mean when you ask what something means.

Just what I think myself, says David, warming to the subject. What do we mean by meaning? Do we look for purpose, or for reason?

Suddenly a pit bull terrier breaks loose from its group of minders and comes charging up the beach towards the friends.

Look out papa! cries Belle et Bonne from several metres away.

Don't worry! He's friendly! shouts the owner of the dog.