Bliss Of Solitude

At last it is time to board the flight from Dubai to Adelaide.

Roo-kai is glad to sit down.

Did you enjoy the Zen Gardens? asks Delilah.

No, says Roo-kai. I was keeping an eye on Terence the whole time.

No time for contemplation, says Delilah.

No time at all, says Roo-kai.

That inward eye which is the bliss of solitude, says Delilah.

Pardon? says Roo-kai.

You did not expect a French pastry cook to quote Wordsworth, says Delilah.

I did not know it was Wordsworth, says Roo-kai. But whatever it was, I didn't expect it.

It means, you still have your memories, says Delilah. You can sit back, close your eyes and contemplate the Zen Gardens now.

Let me get this straight, says Roo-kai. You expect me to re-live it.

But without the frantic running around after Terence, says Delilah.

I shall try, says Roo-kai. And perhaps you might close your eyes and contemplate the Zen Gardens without an almond flake having to be pulled out of your nose with a pencil.

Touché, says Delilah. But if that hadn't happened, I should not have learned of the plight of dead frogs along the east coast of Australia.

Being dead is hardly a plight, says Roo-kai.

Being lethargic and emaciated with red bellies and coloured patches on their skin is a plight, says Delilah. That is what happens to them beforehand.

I shall find it hard to contemplate the Zen Gardens now, says Roo-kai.

Empty your mind of all things, says Delilah.

How? asks Roo-kai.

Say ommmmm, says Delilah.

Roo-kai closes his eyes and says ommmmm. 

He is back in the Zen Gardens. Terence is nowhere to be seen. There are rocks at the side of the pathway.

The rocks exhibit the four main qualities of rockness.

1. Elegant and upright.

2. Wrinkled and furrowed.

3. With cracks like channels

4. With holes that allow air and light through.

Palm trees and ginger plants surround them.

In a nearby fish pond, golden carp circle.

It is restful.