Delights of the Billabong

There was a sign above the open gate.

Gemtree Caravan Park, Arthur read aloud.

Wh......whaaat? stuttered Ageless.

Caravan park, repeated Arthur. Do you want to go in?

Ageless sniffed the air weakly, casting his eyeballs around.

Ye..es, he said. I smell water.

Arthur walked up the dirt track to the office.

My friend here needs water, he said.

The manager looked hard at Ageless.

Your friend doesn't look too well. Take him down to the billabong, he said, pointing out the direction. Then come back and check in.

Hurry up, Arthur! groaned Ageless.

Arthur dashed out of the door, dragging Ageless.

They soon reached the billabong. It was big and deep with wood ducks floating on the surface, and one black swan. Tiny spangled grunters darted through the sunlit ripples.

Arthur dropped Ageless in.

Ageless drifted gratefully to the bottom hoping to land on some pebbles and grit.

Are you alright down there? shouted Arthur, at the bubble stream rising from Ageless.

Ageless burst up to the surface again.

Damn billabong's lined with PLASTIC! he croaked.

So much the better, said Arthur, not knowing much about lobsters. It keeps the water in.

Crick crick! went Ageless. I'm not moulting here. Arghh!

You are though, said Arthur. How long does it take?

A few days, said Ageless. You'll wait for me, won't you? Dear Arthur.......

Depends what there is to do here, said Arthur, who had not read the sign on the gate.

But Ageless had read it.

You'll love it, he wheedled.

I doubt it, said Arthur, spotting a thorny devil standing rigid nearby.

There's fossicking, Arthur, said Ageless. And bowls.