Talking English At Death's Door

The Velogram returns without water.

Water is coming, he says.

Where from? asks Vello, who likes specifics.

There's an underground watering system, explains the Velogram. It comes from the wetlands.

The bush sighs, shedding more foliage.

A watering system is useless in the circumstances, says David. That is, with the bush in a pot.

The bush listens for further developments.

At least we can shovel some dirt in, says Vello.

Haven't you already done it ? asks the Velogram.

Of course not, says Vello. We were waiting for you.

The bush does not trust the Velogram, who could not find water.

But what can it do?

Yoo hoo! cries someone. A female.

Guess what? cries another.

Belle! says Vello.

And me! says Terence. Where's my sink hole?

There, says David, pointing to the hole that the bush has recently vacated.

Terence jumps in.

Can you see my head?

Not your head, says David, but  your hat and eyebrows are clearly visible.

The Velogram will make it deeper, says Vello.

Then how will the people see me? asks Terence.

No one has thought about this.

A giant mirror? says Vello.

Too expensive, says Belle. What if they sit on the fence?

What if they stand up? says David.

All good suggestions. Then Belle spots the bush.

Crikey! says Belle. This bush is at death's door.

The bush knows that it is at death's door

It leans more obliquely. Its remaining leaves crack at the edges.

It needs dirt and water immediately, says Belle.

I do, gasps the bush.

It said I-DOO, says Terence.

Belle goes to ask Jack for some water. She returns with a hose.

It won't make a very good curtain, in this state, says Belle. We may need to add some fake foliage. Now who'll hold the bush, and who'll shovel dirt in?

I'll hold the bush, says Terence.

He grabs a short twig.

Curtain, says the bush, to Terence.

Stink bug, says Terence.

Fake foliage, says the bush, to Terence.

Bees, says Terence.

Eyebrows, says the bush, to Terence.

Grandpa, says Terence.

Nice touch, says the bush. Gentle.

Hey! says Terence. This bush talks English!