Ins And Outs Of Evolution

The tourist is staring at Rusty, instead of the seals.

Is he an otter? asks Rusty.

Might be, says Terence. They wear long black coats.

He's looking at me, says Rusty.

Go up to him, says Terence.

And say what? asks Rusty.

Greetings, says Terence. And if he says oraya, you'll know.

Know what? asks Rusty.

That he's an otter, says Terence. And if you still don't believe it, ask him a question. And he'll say kawai.

No way, says Rusty. Let's go and look at the polar bears.

Okay, says Terence. 

But to see the polar bears you must follow an arrow.

The arrow points left.

Left is where the tourist in the long black coat is standing.

Come on! says Terence.

They boldly brush past the tourist.

Where are those two going? asks Mathilde.

Polar bears, says Bertille.

Go with them, says Mathilde. Dad and I will join you in a minute. I do love watching these seals.

Bertille follows the arrow, and the black-coated tourist, who now has an interest in polar bears.

Terence, Rusty and Bertille stand together, regarding the bears.

They've got ears, says Terence.

It was the seals that didn't, says Bertille. Earless seals, remember?

The black-coated tourist slides up to Terence.

Do you like seals? asks the black-coated tourist. 

No, says Terence. Only penguins.

But the seals were interesting, yes? asks the black-coated tourist. Did you know that they are thought to have evolved from otters?

Did you read the information board? asks Bertille.

Kawai, says the tourist. I mean no, I didn't.

If you had, you would have learned that seals evolved from bears, says Bertille. At least that's what they think nowadays.

Bears would think that, scoffs the black-coated tourist. 

Not the bears, the paleontologists, says Bertille. 

Big word, says the black-coated tourist. You are all clever children. Would you like me to buy you ice creams?

No thank you, says Bertille.

Yuck! says Terence.

I would! says Rusty. I've never had one.

The black-coated tourist's eyes gleam. This is the cherub he wants! Gold all over, but for one or two scratches.

Come little cherub, says the black-coated tourist. And choose your flavour.

Before Bertille can warn Rusty not to go off with a stranger, Rusty has gone off, with the stranger.