Two Bright Sides

You're no seed, says the parrot.

Never said I was, thinks the jellybean.

He can't say it, because his surface is crazed.

It's a miracle he even heard the parrot's statement.

The string has come off, that's a good thing.

Al least he can feel.

Always a bright side, thinks the jellybean.

The parrot drops him, but remains perched on the branch of Thyme-leaved spyridium.

The MAN has stopped trying to frighten him and gone back to the bird hide.

The jellybean lies on the ground, voiceless.

He wonders if this time he's screwed.

Tramp tramp. It's Terence and Vello returning.

Terence is in front.

He runs straight past the jellybean and into the bird hide.

Guess what? My parrot's at school!

Hush! says Gaius.

Yes, hush! says Kierkegaard. Why aren't you wearing your pants?

They kept unrolling, says Terence.

Fair enough, says Kierkegaard, but where are your shorts?

In the camper, says Terence. Aren't you astonished?

No, says Kierkegaard. That's where I guessed they would be.

Not my shorts, stupid, says Terence. My parrot! Lily took her.

Alexander-Red-Hook? asks Gaius.

Yes, says Vello, entering the bird hide. Your last crab's at a show and tell morning.

Well, well, says Gaius. An unexpected outcome.

She will no doubt astonish Lily's classmates, says Vello.

I hope she will pay due regard to our reputations, says Gaius.

Why wouldn't she? asks Kierkegaard. We have little to be ashamed of.

But we made certain mistakes, says Gaius. Choosing the wrong species of crab, for example.

She wouldn't reveal that, says Kierkegaard. Put yourself in her place.

And there were mix-ups, says Gaius.

Some she wasn't aware of, says Kierkegaard. Look on the bright side.

Look, says Terence. A parrot!

He has seen the red-rumped parrot, perched nearby, on a branch of spyridium.

Stay out of sight! says Gaius.

Too late. Terence has left the bird hide, run a few steps then stopped running and walked slowly up to the spyridium and stopped thereunder.

(Thereunder. It means under the place already mentioned).

The parrot stares down at Terence.

Terence's eyes are fixed on the parrot.

Terence hasn't looked at the ground for one moment.

He is unaware of on whom he is standing.