You Could Be Seaweed

Terence is on the beach, digging a hole.

Why are you digging a hole? asks Roo-kai.

I'm not digging a hole, says Terence. I'm making some shade for Quiet-Tartus.

That's thoughtful, says Quiet-Tartus. But I prefer tree shade.

Not many trees here, says Roo-kai. Only low bushes. Want me to fly off and look for some tall ones?

Please do, says Quiet-Tartus. Until you return, I shall stay in this hole.

It's not finished, says Terence.

Is there any shade in it? asks Quiet-Tartus.

At the bottom, says Terence.

Then it's finished, says Quiet-Tartus, hopping in.

Roo-kai flies away, to look for a possible rainforest.

Terence sits down, next to his hole, with Quiet-Tartus at the bottom.

See any other frogs? asks Quiet-Tartus.

I can't even see you, says Terence. Because you're yellow.

What about now? asks Quiet-Tartus, swelling his vocal sac, in preparation for screaming.

You could be seaweed, says Terence. The popping kind.

Quiet-Tartus screams.

A woman, who was walking towards the water, stops in her tracks and comes back.

What was that screaming? Have you buried your friend? You shouldn't do that.

He's not buried, says Terence.

The woman peers into the hole.

A TREE FROG! says the woman. On the beach! How unusual. 

She saw you, says Terence.

That's encouraging, says Quiet-Tartus

It shouldn't be here, says the woman. Take it back to the trees.

We're just waiting for my parrot to come back, says Terence. 

Where are your parents? asks the woman. 

Up there, says Terence, pointing.

The woman takes that to mean they are up at the Blowfish.

Is this them? asks the woman.

No, says Terence. That's Gaius and Ludwig.

Gaius and Ludwig approach, having finished their breakfast.

Ah, there you are, Terence, says Gaius. Where are your frog, and your parrot?

You know about this frog? asks the woman. You see he's been trying to bury it?

I haven't, says Terence. 

I'm sure he hasn't, says Gaius. He is fond of the frog, He has a rapport with it. 

It shouldn't be here on the beach in the hot sun, says the woman.

It isn't, says Ludwig. It's in a hole in the shade.

Screaming, says the woman.

Just to make it show up, says Terence.

The woman makes a sour face, and continues her walk to the water.

Roo-kai's looking for trees, says Terence.

Then we shall wait here until he returns, says Gaius. Ludwig, want to paddle?

I would rather try my hand at surfing, says Wittgenstein.

You go off then, says Gaius. Arthur and Sweezus will instruct you.

Are you sure? asks Wittgenstein.

Yes, yes, says Gaius. 

He sits down on the sand next to Terence, 

Quiet-Tartus remains in his hole.

Hard to say if he's feeling regretful.