Reasons for Being

What? says Arthur.

I made up a song, says Terence. Last night, I sang it.

Yes, says Stew. A song about a penguin.

Oh, sing it, says Ying.

Terence sings Don't Go Far Off.

That's good, says Arthur, but you got that from somewhere.

Pablo Neruda, says Ying.

I'm a poet like Arthur, says Terence.

No, says Arthur. I make up my own stuff. And you don't grow up to be a poet.

Terence is crushed. He'd forgotten.

That's not so bad, says Ying. You could grow up to be a scientist.

Yes, a scientist, says Gaius. Why not make yourself useful? Did you bring a spoon?

Terence hasn't brought a spoon, but Ying has.

She gives Terence a spoon.

Gaius gives him instructions.

Now Terence, collect spoonfuls of earth and drop them into these bottles, remembering where you got them. They'll need labels. says Gaius.

Terence takes his spoon and squats down in the mud beside Arthur.

He spoons up a sample.

Yuk, it's all slimy and green, says Terence.

That may tell us a lot, says Gaius. You are shaping up to be a good scientist. Pencil!

No one has a pencil.

.......

Everyone works diligently, except Arthur and Surfing-With-Whales.

The Giant Slide has reopened.

Soon more tourists come down. They walk about, admiring the sink hole.

First Tourist: Look, a group of scientists.

Second Tourist: Yes, and one is a baby.

First Tourist: So cute. He's got his own spoon and everything. Look he's collecting a sample.

Terence (overhearing): Want to smell it?

First Tourist: No thanks.

Terence: It's really stinky.

Second Tourist: No really, we must move on.

A third and fourth tourist appear on the path in the distance.

They draw near.

Third Tourist: Hey man ! Hey Arthur! Surfing-With-Whales!

Fourth Tourist: How fortuitous! We've found them.

Terence: Grandpa! You came! Look. I'm doing science! I've got my own slime jar!

Yes, it is Sweezus and Marx.

And their reasons for being here are many.