Living Under The Fig Tree

Come on, says Elodie. Early bed time.

Baby Pierre is embarrassed.

Mouldy is laughing.

I might stay out a bit longer, says Baby Pierre.

Who are your friends? enquires Gaius.

Mouldy, First Dirty and Second Dirty, says Baby Pierre.

And they believe they are spiders, says Gaius. Remarkable.

We're just acting, says Second Dirty. We know we're pebbles.

Yeah, helpful pebbles, says Mouldy.

Yeah, says First Dirty.

We have an appointment first thing in the morning, says Elodie. So we really must get going.

Okay, says Baby Pierre. He picks up his bike.

Wait, says Mouldy. Can we come?

Yes, come, says Baby Pierre. We're staying at Bailey's Motel. There's a swimming pool.

I don't think they'll want pebbles in the swimming pool, says Elodie.

We wouldn't go in the swimming pool, says First Dirty.

No, we wouldn't, says Second Dirty. We'd practise being spiders with Baby Pierre. We could hide in the change rooms.

Don't TELL me, says Baby Pierre.

In a pot plant, says Mouldy.

I don't think so, says Elodie.

But Gaius is intrigued by Baby Pierre's new found friends.

And Elodie doesn't make all the decisions.

He picks up the pebbles.

.....

Later that evening.

Gaius questions the pebbles.

Gaius: How long have you lived under the fig tree?

Mouldy: Not very long.

Gaius: What are your earliest memories?

Second Dirty: Shall I answer this one?

Mouldy: Go on.

Second Dirty: Pebble Beach, on the North West Cape, coral reef, colourful fishes, migratory whale sharks.

First Dirty: I remember! Sheer red cliffs, red rocky gorges!

Mouldy: Tidal pools and marine turtles.

Gaius: Fascinating. How would you like to have a swim in the swimming pool?  Get cleaned up. I'm sure no one will mind.

Elodie: It's on your head, Gaius.

Baby Pierre: Woo! We're allowed to! Come on guys!

They all go swimming, in the dark glinting pool.

 When they come out even Baby Pierre looks cleaner.

Mouldy, First Dirty and Second Dirty are now reddish pink.

Probably sandstone.