The Lucky Ones

 Terence likes it, in Louisa's basket.

He examines the rocks.

Under the rocks there are seeds of various descriptions.

And something he hadn't noticed before. A feather.

The road is bumpy. He is jigged up and down.

So are the turnip pieces, in their blueberry container.

They all feel funny.

No need to ask why. 

Terence shows Ronnie the feather.

A black and red feather, says Ronnie. That belongs to a parrot.

You don't have to tell me, says Terence. I know all about parrots.

What sort of parrot is this feather from? asks Ronnie.

A black and red one, says Terence.

That's a terrible answer, says Ronnie. Ask Louisa.

Terence raises the feather.

You found it! says Louisa. Isn't it nice! That's off a glossy black cocky.

Let me see it, says Gaius, riding up alongside Louisa. Yes, we must keep our eyes peeled for the species.

Look out for sheoaks, says Louisa. The nuts of sheoaks are their only food source.

Arthur! calls Gaius, Keep an eye out for sheoaks.

Arthur is lagging behind.

Sheoaks. He is not keeping an eye out for sheoaks. Or anything else. He just wants to get to Kingscote, do the shopping and head out to the devastated regions.

What a pity we don't have Saint Roley with us, says Gaius.

We left him a map, says Louisa.

Can he read maps? asks Gaius. Does a bird need to?

Good question, says Louisa. But they do need to know where we are if they want to catch up.

What did you show as our destination? asks Gaius.

Emu Bay, says Louisa. I thought you might like to stop off there.

I would indeed, says Gaius. I have my geology hammer.

I've got a few rocks in my basket, says Louisa. 

Gaius peers in. 

Terence moves out of the way. Louisa wobbles.

Ahh! I nearly went over! Terence get back to the centre!

Terence does. He is trying to be helpful.

Crunch. His cement foot kicks the lid of the blueberry container. 

It pops open. The shrivelled turnip pieces drop out.

The lucky ones stick to the feather.