The Sand Reckoner

Forty poppy seeds laid side by side, measuring one Greek dactyl, says Humboldt.

I remember, says Gaius. And each poppy seed by volume theoretically contains ten thousand sand grains.

Theoretically, says Humboldt.

I dispute this, says Kobo.

Yes, says Pinky. What sort of sand?

Irrelevant, says Gaius. Archimedes was inventing a method to calculate the number of sand grains in the universe. A sphere one dactyl in diameter should contain 64,000 poppy seeds. The universe being...

Saint Roley comes over. Everyone should know mathematics. Mathematics could have saved the life of his brother.

What was the answer? asks Saint Roley.

Ten to the power of sixty three, says Humboldt. Wrong of course. But for those days, a respectable effort.

Is it important? asks Pinky.

Yes and no, says Kobo. You can't have too much sand. On the other hand, it can be a burden.

O yes. What happened next? asks Pinky.

The man has to share the house under the dunes with the woman. He has to help her keep the sand from encroaching. Also they are expected to have babies, says Kobo.

Can't he get out? asks Pinky.

No the ladder is gone, says Kobo. The villagers have tricked the man into staying. He tries to escape.

And does he? asks Pinky.

The listeners are hopeful.

No, says Kobo.

Humboldt, Gaius, Saint Roley and Pinky are disappointed.

Wait, says Ageless lobster. Tell them the rest of it, beloved.

There is no rest of it, says Kobo. The man realises that a return to his old life would not give him any more freedom, so he gives up trying.

I see why you like it, says Humboldt.

O do you? says Kobo.

Do you see why I don't? says Ageless.

Right, says Gaius. Packing. We leave in an hour.

What do I need? mutters Ageless.

Your red knitted hat, says Kobo. You won't have washed it. And... are you expecting to moult in the near future?

Such unfeeling suggestions from his beloved.

Agelss looks for his red knitted hat.

What do I need? asks Pinky.

You and I are self sufficient, says Kobo.