To The Swamp

Can me and my parrot go bird-spotting? asks Terence.

What about lunch? asks Gaius.

He's had it, says Alexander-Red-Hook.

All right then, says Gaius. But stay close to your parrot. And parrot, keep him away from the swamp.

Can I go NEAR it? asks Terence.

Near it, but not into it, says Gaius.

Don't worry, says Alexander-Red-Hook. I'll look after Terence. What do we do if we spot a stipiturus?

Make a note of where you spotted it, says Gaius. If possible, engage it in conversation.

Ha ha, laughs Kierkegaard. Conversation! How would that go?

It hardly matters as long as it's cordial, says Gaius. The point is, to gain the bird's trust.

Would it like a biscuit? asks Terence.

Certainly not, says Gaius. They eat insects and seeds.

Come on, before they change their minds, says Alexander-Red-Hook.

Red-Hook and Terence head off on their own, towards an area featuring rushes and sedges.

Was it wise to let them go off like that? asks Kierkegaard.

The crab will keep Terence out of trouble, says Gaius. And Terence has been quite reliable lately.

Mm, says Kierkegaard, remembering the serial carnage.

Shall we have lunch? asks Gaius. Where are those German rolls?

Here, says Kierkegaard, taking them out of the shopping bag and handing two to Gaius.

Plain ones, are they? says Gaius.

Would you have preferred a filling? asks Kierkegaard. It didn't occur to me in the bakery, but I could have requested cheese and pickle.

Plain is perfectly adequate, says Gaius. And we have Danish tarts.

Yes, says Kierkegaard. We have. In this paper bag here.

He indicates it.

Grease has seeped through the paper.

Gaius eats his plain German rolls, and Kierkegaard eats his two.

A bird lands in the tea tree, above them. A white plumed honey-eater.

How pleasant. The mid-day sun warms the paper bag containing the Danish pastry, and the sweetened apple inside it.

Has the honey-eater been attracted by the Danish?

It's not for you, says Gaius, to the honey-eater.

That's not why I'm here, says the honey-eater. I'm here to lodge a complaint against your boy and your crab.