That May Seem Unnecessary

Mr Nitcher saw a heron, says Emma.

What kind was it? asks Irma.

Err-mm, says Nietzsche. What sort are there?

He's not sure, says Emma.

Well, there's one, says Irma, pointing to a heron nearby. Was it like that one?

The heron in question tries to look inconspicuous, while keeping an eye on the Catcher.

Yes, says Nietzsche, perhaps a little too quickly.

That's a White Necked Heron, says Irma. They're shy.

Everyone looks at the heron, including the captain.

Yes, that is a White Necked Heron, says Captain Bain. Well spotted, young lady. They are not all that common in tidal areas. See the distinctive black spots on its foreneck and throat. Those black spots are only visible on non-breeding individuals....

How embarrassing. The Heron considers flying away.

But no. Wait. The group is leaving. And they seem to have forgotten the Catcher.

The Catcher is no longer engaged in muscular pedalling. There he lies, on his back in the sand.

He has not even noticed the Heron. He is engaged in concocting a fantasy in which he captures an Elegant Parrot and rather than eating it, brings it home in triumph to Terence. And Terence loves him again.

The White Necked Heron approaches the Catcher.

Easy pickings, he thinks....

The guided tour group has almost reached the sand dunes.

Will no one turn back, for a last look at the Great Southern Ocean?

Yes. Lauren turns back to look at the Great Southern Ocean. So noisy, so deep and profound. And her son Bob is somewhere in it, surfing with the whales, what a world, that such things ...but  oh FUDGE! Bob! She and Nietzsche have driven off in his van without telling him. And just when that nice Sweezus may have been getting a cramp.....

She turns back to the dunes without seeing the confrontation between the Heron and the Catcher.

Friedrich, says Lauren, I don't think we ought to have come on this day trip.

Why not, Lauren? asks Nietzsche. There is no shame in learning things that may seem unnecessary.

Is that a philosophy? asks Emma. Or a philology?

I just made it up, says Nietzsche. Call it what you like.

I guess learning about Diogenes Laertes was unnecessary, says Emma.

Yes, as it turned out, says Nietzsche. How was I to know nothing was definitively known of his life, and that even the precise form of his name was uncertain?

Oh, Friederich, says Lauren. You are singular!

Nietzsche is pleased that Lauren thinks him singular.

Yes, and he has other fine qualities as well.

For example, his empathy with animals.

That time he threw his arms round the neck of a horse that was being mistreated......

Hah! Let Mrs Bottle try and find fault with THAT!

Suddenly, Nietzsche remembers the Catcher.