My Poor Brothers!

Alexander-Groovy and Alexander-Curly have washed up on the shore, near to Terence.

Something's MISSING! says Terence.

Two somethings, says Alexander-Groovy.

They have each lost a claw.

Don't worry, says Terence. Gaius has fish glue.

What use is fish glue? asks Alexander-Curly.

It's GLUE, says Terence. For sticking things on with.

But we've lost our claws, in the ocean, says Alexander-Groovy.

And we're not going out there again, says Alexander-Curly.

Well I'm not allowed to, says Terence.

Nothing to be done.

Swoosh--- urp.....swoosh---urp....

What are those things on the sand, that washed in with the tide?

A few small pebbles, green lettuce sea weed, a string of polyps, and a tiny dead crab with a tiny dead claw still attached.

Bingo! says Terence.

He picks up the tiny dead crab, and breaks off the tiny dead claw.

Who wants this one?

Alexander-Groovy and Alexander-Curly are disgusted.

Does Terence have no sense of size?

Alexander-Red-Hook appears, having walked sideways all the way from the spot where Gaius is waiting.

Oh NO! says Alexander-Red-Hook, assessing the losses.

But look! says Terence, displaying the minuscule claw.

She ignores it.

My poor brothers! What happened!

We are declawed! says Alexander-Groovy. And Terence isn't helping.

Why should he? asks Alexander-Red-Hook. Come back with me and show Gaius.

They set off to show Gaius.

Terence picks up the sea lettuce and the string of sea polyps. And follows behind.

Gaius is placing the salad bowls and the breakfast bowl on the fold up table, in readiness.

Alexander-Red-Hook speaks first.

We have good news and bad news.

I see, says Gaius.

He does see. He does not need the details.

The claws will regrow says Gaius. But slowly, and not in the course of the experiment. The question is, will the current loss of your claws affect it?

Yes, says Alexander-Groovy.

Indeed, says Gaius. Declawed crabs are likely to suffer disadvantages in self defence, feeding and mating. On the bright side, none of these disadvantages apply to your situation.

If he thinks this will make them feel better, he's wrong.