The Ultimate Treasure

Roo-kai has landed at Saltwater Beach.

He is watching Wittgenstein's surfing lesson.

Lesson 3: Start small.

Lesson 4: Paddle like you mean it.

Wittgenstein is taking the lessons on board.

Gaius appears on the beach, followed by Terence, and several frogs.

Hey! says Terence. Look at all these frogs we've collected.

He holds out the dead one, who is not really dead.

Is that a dead one? asks Roo-kai. 

No, says Terence. It's a boy one. It's in Quiet-Tartus's team.

The other ones are more lively, says Roo-kai.

They're girl ones, says Terence. 

We're sisters. We have our own team, says the female Screaming Tree Frog. 

Will you keep an eye on them? asks Gaius. I need to borrow a surf board, and paddle out to meet Great White Teacher.

He's already out there, says Roo-kai. I can see him.

Everyone can. They are leaving the water, paddling like they mean it.

Shark! says Wittgenstein, seeing Gaius.

I know. May I borrow that surfboard? asks Gaius.

What for? asks Wittgenstein.

I promised to speak with the shark, says Gaius.

That seems risky, says Wittgenstein. But take it. Don't let the shark bite it.

Thank you, says Gaius.

He takes off his Crocs, rolls up his shorts, and carries the surfboard to the water.

He jumps on, and paddles out to where Great White Teacher is waiting.

You're late, says Great White Teacher. It's ten past three.

Apologies, says Gaius. I was in the rainforest, looking for Screaming Tree Frogs, and found several at the last minute, one of which was, and remains, at death's door. 

Always the way, says Great White Teacher.

Not always, says Gaius. Often one doesn't find any.

I hear you have a proposition, says Great White Teacher.

I do, says Gaius. It is far removed from commercial enterprise, but has its own merits.

Go on, says Great White Teacher.

Have you heard of the otodus megalodon? asks Gaius. A giant shark that lived between 15 and 3.6 million years ago?

No, says Great White Teacher. 

There is some question as to what it actually looked  like, says Gaius.

Who wants to know? asks Great White Teacher.

Don't you? asks Gaius. Imagine if you could find some preserved megadon fossils.

I'm imagining it, says Great White Teacher. It probably looks just like me.

That's the thing, says Gaius. Megadons are thought to be partially warm blooded, like you. But that does not prove that they looked like you.

Surely, says Great White Teacher, megadon fossils have been found. Otherwise, how is it known that the megadon existed?

You are a natural scientist, says Gaius. But so far, only teeth and vertebrae have been found. Shark cartilage doesn't preserve well.

You're telling me, says Great White Teacher. What's your proposition?

Medadon teeth and bones are frequently found underwater in Mexico, says Gaius. You could take a team there, and do your own research.

Is there money in it? asks Great White Teacher.

Kudos, says Gaius. It would be the ultimate treasure.

Why don't you go? asks Great White Teacher.

Frogs, says Gaius. I can't do every thing I might think of. 

Okay, says Great White Teacher. I'll talk to my men. If they're willing, we'll do it.

Wonderful, says Gaius. Good luck.

And good luck with the dead frog, says Great White Teacher. Have you tried smelling salts?

No, but I will, says Gaius. Thank you.

He paddles back to shore.

Everyone looks thankful.