The Forest Is Silent

Now what? says Arthur, picking up the broadcasting device.

Who does it belong to? asks Gaius.

Amanda, says Arthur.

She'll be wanting it back, says Gaius.

I'll call her, says Arthur.

He calls.

Arthur, says Amanda. Where are you? I'm at the café.

Under a tree, says Arthur. The one I fixed a device to, with string.

How did that go? asks Amanda.

Good, says Arthur. But the birds didn't like it.

How'd you know? asks Amanda.

One of them complained, says Arthur. Then, when we sent a parrot up, the one that complained undid the string.

And? says Amanda.

The device fell out of the tree, says Arthur. But it's not broken.

Good-oh! says Amanda. We'll re-attach it.

Not here, says Arthur.

Okay, somewhere else, says Amanda. Bring it to the café.

All right, says Arthur.

He looks at Gaius. Coming?

Where to? asks Gaius.

Café, says Arthur.

At the mention of the café, Gaius feels peckish.

He would relish a bowl of hot chips.

Arthur picks up the device, Gaius gathers his notes and they go.

Jinjing remains for a moment. Looks around at the forest. Remembers his poem

I rose through adversity.
This is my story.
I once had a button, etcetera.

How did the rest of it go?

He should ask Arthur to write it down before he forgets it.

He leaves for the café.

The forest is silent.

Or it would be, if there was anyone left there to hear it.


At the café Amanda has finished her coffee.

Arthur and Gaius come in.

Here, says Arthur, plonking the device on the table.

Sure it's not broken? asks Amanda.

Sure, says Arthur. He flicks the switch.

Wheet-wheet!

What were they complaining about? asks Amanda.

The double wheet, says Gaius. It confused them.

May I ask how you know? asks Amanda.

From the bird's mouth, says Gaius.

You speak bird? says Amanda. That's awesome. Hey, don't I know you?

Gaius Plinius Secundus, says Gaius.

Tour de France! says Amanda. You're in Team Philosophe! !  I love cycling. I'm going to the Tour Down Under in January.

January! says Gaius.

He looks at Arthur.

Four weeks off, says Arthur. We've got loads of time.

Gaius thinks of all the things he must do before January.

Finish report on bird numbers.

Head back to mainland.

Fly to Adelaide.

Fix bike.

Yes, it can all be accomplished in four weeks, thinks Gaius.

He goes to the counter to order a bowl of hot chips.