The carrot is not used to travelling.
This is going to be fun.
Carrot! says the carrot.
We know who you are, says Baby Pierre.
You got us into trouble, says Ouvert.
Carrot, says the carrot.
It can only say carrot! says Terence.
Heh-heh! laugh the frogs.
What's going on there? asks Belle, slowing down a bit.
The carrot can only say 'carrot', says Terence.
That's not surprising, says Belle. Shall we stop by the river and wash it?
Carrot, says the carrot.
That means yes, says Terence.
The carrot is alarmed. It meant no.
Belle gets off her bike and wheels it down to the riverbank. She lifts Terence onto the grass. Then Baby Pierre and Ouvert. Then the carrot.
What about us? asks Quiet-tartus.
You can hop out, says Belle.
Quiet-tartus and the knowlesi hop out.
Can I wash the carrot? asks Terence.
No, says Belle.
Carrot, says the carrot.
Carrot, says Belle, Terence can't wash you, but what about me?
The carrot is confused. Who's washing who?
Belle takes the carrot down to the river and dips it in the cold water.
The dirt floats away.
You look good enough to eat, says Belle, holding up the carrot.
The carrot screams. Belle drops the carrot back into the river.
It bobs along in the current.
Damn! says Belle. There goes the carrot!
Roo-kai flutters down and stands gazing at the river.
I dropped it, says Belle. It screamed.
It did, says Roo-kai. We all heard it.
Could you get it back? asks Belle.
I'll try says Roo-kai. He flies off, to try and retrieve it.
Belle returns to her bike.
Everyone's gone, says Terence.
Everyone? says Belle. Only Roo-kai and the carrot.
Baby Pierre and Ouvert went, says Terence. They didn't like the carrot.
The carrot's gone, says Belle. I dropped it. What about the frog team?
They went too, says Terence.
Because of the carrot? asks Belle.
Yes, says Terence.
Roo-kai's trying to find it, says Belle.
Tell him to stop trying, says Terence.
How can I? says Belle. It's not like he's got a phone.
This is a bad day, says Terence.
A very bad day, agrees Belle.
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