Remains Of The Tree

Adventure Bay! says Dad. Nice views! Let's find a walking trail.

No wait, stop! says Mum. What's that building?

Dad stops outside the brick building.

Bligh Museum of Pacific Exploration, reads Jerry.

How interesting, says Mum. Let's visit.

You'll like it, says Captain Bruni.

We haven't got time to do a walk AND a museum, says Dad.

I'll go to the museum with Captain Bruni, says Mum. Jerry and Terence can do the walking trail with you.

Good, says Jerry. I don't like museums. Come on, Dad.

Okay, says Dad. Meet you back here in an hour. Coming, Terence? Or would you rather see the museum?

Museum, says Terence.

Okay, says Dad. Come on, Jerry. Hat, water bottle. Let's go.

They go off, leaving Mum, Terence and Captain Bruni outside the museum.

I'm surprised you chose the museum, Terence, says Mum.

So am I, says Terence.

What sort of an answer is that? says Captain Bruni. Are you interested in history or not?

Yes, says Terence. I'm interested in history or not, and it's better than a walking trail.

Has something bad happened to you on a walking trail? asks Mum.

Not me, says Terence. But Saint Roley's brother rolled down a walking trail into the sea and floated away in a cardboard potato box. FOREVER!

Aw, says Mum. Saint Roley. I don't know that one. Is he the patron saint of something?

He's a parrot, says Terence. A special type of parrot that catches oysters.

You're a funny boy, says Mum. Isn't he, Captain Bruni.

Yes, says Captain Bruni. A funny boy. But time's a-wasting.

Four dollars entry, says Mum. opening her wallet. I'll pay.

Not at all. Allow me, says Captain Bruni. We may not need to pay.

He enters the Museum. A man appears.

Captain Bruni! says the man.

John Hamilton! says Captain Bruni. I have two companions who are interested in history.

Welcome, says John Hamilton. We're not too busy today. I can show you around.

I'm Rachel, says Mum, and this is Terence.

A cement child, says John Hamilton. How special. Hello, Terence. What would you like to see first?

What's that? asks Terence.

That, says John Hamilton, is all that remains of Captain Cook's Tree. Some say he tied his ship to it.

Did he not have an anchor? asks Mum.

Maybe he tied up his rowing boat, suggests Captain Bruni.

I know not, says John Hamilton. He did however nail a plaque to it. Which is now lost. A replacement has been attached to a rough hewn rock at the end of the bay.

Poor old tree, says Mum.

She, John Hamilton and Captain Bruni proceed to examine some historical documents, maps and journals.

Terence remains with the remains of the tree.