Sleeping And Learning

Yes dear, says Kobo. You won the knife game. How are you feeling?

Like I'm full of SNAKES! says Pinky. O-eek! There's one hanging out of my finger!

That's your new finger, says Kobo. Now you have four pink fingers and one black and white striped one. Don't worry. It's sleeping.

What's this all about? asks Gaius.

Yes! What? cries Pinky. I recall nothing!

It's the best case scenario, after the knife game, says Kobo.

Ageless sidles up to Kobo. Heh-heh!

Pinky examines her new finger. It's actually quite sporty-looking.

I'll live with it, thinks Pinky.

Now Pinky, there is a downside, says Kobo.

I KNOW, says Pinky. My old finger is ruined.

No, that's not it, says Kobo.

You're the new PRISON! says Terence.

I don't have time for this, says Gaius. Come inside. There are apples for breakfast.

They all go inside.

Humboldt is staring at the apples. Where's that Swiss army knife?

Here it is, says Gaius. You might want to wash it. It's been used for the knife game.

What happened to Pinky? asks Humboldt.

I won, says Pinky. It's all good. I'm still waiting for the downside.

I can tell you what that is, says Humboldt.

Shh! hisses Kobo. Let me. Pinky dear, in the day time you will be your lovely self, with that gloriously striped finger At night you will be transformed into a snake. Two snakes actually.

SHE won't be snakes, says Terence. She'll just be empty!

No, says Kobo firmly. That need not be so.

Pinky is inclined to believe Kobo, who has read many novels and knows what can happen. Terence only has a bird book, which he can't read.

Humboldt has cut up the apples.

Those who like apples tuck in.

Right, says Gaius. We're cycling to the bauxite mines this morning. We'll speak to Roderick Coconut. Terence, did you learn anything from the bandy bandies?

No! says Terence. They're asleep.

Earlier, says Gaius. Did you find out why they cross roads on humid evenings?

Terence had forgotten all about that question.

......

The bandy bandies sleep inside Pinky. They dream pink dreams, with a soundtrack.

downside-eee-finger-ruined-glorious-apples-for-breakfast-tranformed-dear-that-need-not-be-so.

They are sleeping and learning.