Not Normally Glowing

It's a long walk to Rothéneuf, where the Sculptured Rocks are.

The moon shines on the wet sand.

Are we there yet? asks Terence.

Not yet, says Splosh. But you'll like it. The rocks look like people, and sea monsters.

Are they real? asks Baldy.

Of course not, says Belle.

I presume they're granite boulders, says Gaius.

Yes, says Splosh. They were carved by the Abbé Fouré, over a period of twenty five years. He began in 1870, after suffering a stroke at age 30, losing his hearing and speech, and becoming paralysed on one side of his body. He became a hermit, and began carving the boulders. He needed something to do, I suppose.

Did anyone help him? asks Belle.

Yeah, some old guy, says Splosh.

His grandpa, says Terence.

No, not his grandpa, says Splosh.

Are we there yet? asks Baldy.

Not yet, says Splosh. I know its a long way for you, but it's worth it. The rock people have names.

What kind of names? asks Belle.

Names of the Rothéneuf clan, says Splosh. The pirates and smugglers. The ones who built the boats and guarded the booty. The cook. The five clowns.

CLOWNS! says Terence.

Clowns! says Baldy. I'm not going!

We ARE going! says Terence, brandishing his red pencil.

YES! says Baldy, brandishing his black pencil. We're going!

They clash pencils.

A section of Terence's lead falls out into the sand.

Terence is aghast at this second disaster to happen to his pencil.

Don't look so tragic, says Belle. I'll sharpen it again.

She does,. But now it is even shorter.

How many rock carvings are there? asks Gaius.

About three hundred, says Splosh.

Tell us some of the names, says Belle.

Cinq Clowns, says Splosh. That's the clowns.  Then there was Job, aka Vive la Joie, La Goule, Bas Plat, Trois Pierres......and the cook, Yves du Minhic, nicknamed Guerrier Romain.

The Roman warrior, says Gaius.

And l'Egyptien, says Splosh. Solitaire, Lucifer, le Grand Pointu....

Are we THERE yet? says Terence. I'm lagging.

Me too, says Baldy. We should be in bed.

Nearly, says Splosh. Who'd like a Gummi Bear?

She hands round the packet.

Is this a red one? asks Terence.

They all look the same in the dark.

It takes some time to pick out a red one, while walking.

At last, beyond a low rocky headland, they see a faint glow.

That's it, says Splosh.

Do the rocks glow normally? asks Gaius.

No, that's my work, says Splosh.