What a lovely idea, says Belle. We can all have a picnic. Any cheese in particular?
L'Artisou is said to have a distinctive flavour, says Gaius.
Is that the one made by spiders? asks Splosh.
Mites, says Gaius. Spider mites are encouraged to run across the crust while it matures.
I know that one, says Belle. Papa likes it. He says it tastes dusty.
They find a cheese shop and all go inside.
Oh! says the lady cheese shop owner. How well you have painted your children!
We came in to buy cheese, says Splosh. But as you're interested, sea levels are rising and we're doing something about it.
I merely sell cheese, says the cheese shop owner. What can I do about rising sea levels here in Le Puy-en-Velay?
Stop selling cheese, says Splosh.
Splosh! says Belle. We came in to buy l'Artisou!
L'Artisou! says the cheese shop owner. I have sold out, because the pilgrims all buy it.
Do they like it? asks Belle.
No, says the cheese shop owner. It's a penance.
Have you got red penances? asks Terence.
He-he, laughs Baldy. Or red pencils?
The cheeses shop lady shoos them all out of the cheese shop.
They go to a Carrefour, where Belle buys baguettes, a cucumber, and five red Babybel cheeses.
.......
That was a great start! says Splosh. We're already raising awareness.
But not among the oystercatchers, says Gaius. They must be our priority.
Yes, says Belle. The poor little oystercatchers. We should head for the coast.
I was thinking of Saint Malo, says Gaius.
Cool! says Splosh. I'd love to paint something there.
Yes, you could do that, says Belle, while Gaius and I try to teach the oystercatchers new behaviours.
I can make them do new behaviours, says Terence.
Me too, says Baldy.
How would you do it? asks Belle.
Whack them, says Terence. Like Saint Joseph.
Trick them, says Baldy. Like the Virgin.
To trick them is likely to be more effective, says Gaius. How would you trick them?
Maybe...with cheeses, says Baldy.
To be honest, he hasn't thought ahead quite that far.
I know! says Terence. Tell them the truth. That they'll DIE!
Not them, says Gaius. But their eggs will float off without hatching.
That doesn't seem like a problem to Terence.
It would be nice to be floating. Like a parrot. He flaps his small arms.
Stop moving! Do you want your Babybel cheese yet? asks Baldy.
No, says Terence. I can't eat Baby Cheeses. You can't either.
He-he! laughs Baldy. Because we're Baby Cheeses!
Baby Cheesuses, says Belle. And that's a lame joke. Stop being silly.
Baldy shoves two little red Baby Cheesuses into Terence's pocket.
They may be of use in Saint Malo.
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