The Child Capturer

The child holds up the guinea pig.

That's her, says Arthur. Let her go where she likes.

The child drops Princess Pacchu, who scuttles

under the seats of Buzz and Simon, not stopping,

under Tilly and Lydia, not stopping,

under Gaius, where she stops.

Saint Roley will be with Gaius! She snuffles.

What's that snuffling around my crocs? wonders Gaius.

He looks down. It's Princess Pacchu. He lifts her up beside Saint Roley.

Do you need cheering up? asks Saint Roley.

Yes, says Princess Pacchu.

I shall do it, says Saint Roley. Look out of the window.

Too high. She can't.

He was going to point out the tiny villages they are passing.

Each with their people, their lives.

I shall describe it all to you, says Saint Roley.

No need, says Princess Pacchu. In the distance, the snow-capped mountain peak. Below that, alpine meadows, threaded with glacial creeks. Below them sloped pastures, and dotted here and there, sparse farmsteads.This is my landscape. You might see cattle graze on the sloped pastures. Higher up, you might see vicuñas.

By the gods! says Gaius. Your local knowledge will be invaluable! I must congratulate Arthur.

He stands up, and wobbles down the bus....

..... to where Arthur is conversing with the child capturer.

I won't fall, says Arthur,

You might drop the tadpoles, says the child,

And freeze off my fingers, says Arthur.

And make new fingers of frozen tadpoles, and pull yourself out by the rope, says the child.

Then his waterproof pants would fall down, says Sweezus.

You're a natural poet, says Arthur.

The child giggles.

So does her sister.

But their mother frowns at the joke about pants.