Knots That Would Baffle A Sailor

It has been interesting to talk to you, says Coralie. But we must take our canoe back. 

Indeed, says Gaius. It's getting late. Terence and I must return to Saltwater Beach where our friends have been surfing.

Tilly! calls Coralie. Come back now! Leave the frogs!

Don't leave us! cries Quiet-Tartus.

Not like this! says Shorty-Tartus.

Terence will carry you, says Tilly. 

No way, says Terence. They have to try out the penalty.

We don't want to, says Quiet-Tartus. 

Well, I'm going, says Tilly. See you!

She returns to her mum.

Where are your socks, Tilly? asks Coralie.

They got muddy, says Tilly. I left them with Terence.

Okay, says Coralie. Put your shoes on, and get in the canoe

Gaius pushes them out into the Knappinghat Creek. They paddle away, waving.

Gaius makes his way to where Terence is instructing the frogs.

What on earth is happening? asks Gaius. Why are the frogs wearing socks?

It's a penalty, says Quiet-Tartus. But we don't like it.

It's far too tough a penalty, says Gaius. Can you even move forward?

No, says Shorty-Tartus. Not with these pebbles.

Gaius can see that each sock is weighted with a pebble. The socks are tied round the frogs' middles with reeds. Their back legs are hampered.

Did you come up with this, Terence? asks Gaius.

Yes, says Terence. But they're Tilly's socks, and Roo-kai found the pebbles.

And suggested the reeds, says Roo-kai. Perhaps we got carried away.

Not perhaps, says Gaius. A penalty should not completely disable a player. Untie them, Terence.

But Tilly has tied the reeds using knots that would baffle a sailor.

Terence can't do it. Nor can Gaius.

Pick them up, says Gaius. We'll carry them back to Saltwater. There will be scissors in the camper.

They head back along the Five Islands Walking Trail to the surf beach.

The girl frog team has long ago stopped doing star jumps. 

They are watching Wittgenstein practise his pop-ups.

They laugh loudly when they see Quiet-Tartus and Shorty-Tartus, being carried in socks.