The Yellow Boat At Lake Geneva

Oscar rockets down the Rue de Meyrin, towards Lake Geneva.

Hooowee! He isn't called Oscar (Parrot-Boy) for nothing.

This is like flying, thinks Terence, on the rack at the back.

Then:

No it isn't, thinks Terence.

He taps Oscar on the bum.

Don't do that! yells Oscar.

Stop! cries Terence.

Why? shouts Oscar.

I'm crumpling, says Terence.

What? says Oscar, grinding to a halt.

Go a bit slower, says Terence. Look at me, I'm crumpling.

It is true. Terence doesn't look tidy.

You're just scared, says Oscar. Don't worry.

No, says Terence. CRUMPLING! And I don't know why.

Let me see, says Oscar. He twists round to have a good look at Terence the Bad.

Terence the Bad throws his arms wide in a helpless gesture. His polka dot sleeves crack gently.

It's the wind, says Oscar. It's dried you in ripples.

Wah! says Terence the Bad.

Water, says Oscar (genius scientist). He looks about. Aha! Giant fountain!

If you have ever been to Lake Geneva you will know I'm not making this up.

The giant fountain is a huge, majestic, powerful and spectacular water spout, called the Jet d' Eau, located in the centre of the lake. It was built in 1886 to control and release excess pressure ( from somewhere). It represents a well organised country. You can walk right out to it, if you don't mind getting wet.

Perfect.

Oscar rides down to the edge of Lake Geneva, with ripple-wind-crumpled Terence the Bad, his little blood brother.

He rides onto the walk way.

Probably no bikes are allowed.

Terence is looking up at the majestic water spout. Water floats down in misticules.

Waggle, says Oscar.

Terence waggles. His sleeves become mobile and damp. This is promising.

Off ! says a man's voice. No bicycles!

Oscar is taken by surprise. He wobbles. And he, Terence and the bicycle tumble into Lake Geneva.

Sorry, says the man, to no one in particular. Didn't mean to cause an accident.

O no! cry some ladies. The children have fallen into the lake! Rescue them someone!

Luckily a yellow boat load of tourists has been backing gingerly away from the wet misticules, and is now quite near the scene of the accident.

They drift even nearer, and look over the edge of their boat.

Oscar has emerged on the surface of Lake Geneva and is swimming strongly. He is rescued.

Sadly his bicycle has sunk.

As has Terence the Bad, right down to the bottom..........

( but don't worry )