Bird Soap And Chocolate

What shall we use for a boat? asks Belle.

A box with a finger, says Terence. 

We don't even have a box, let alone one with a finger, says Belle.

What's this about a finger? asks Saint Méen.

The story goes that Saint Roley's brother floated away on a piece of cardboard on which was printed a THIS WAY UP finger, says Roo-kai. And he took it for heavenly guidance.

As well one might, says Saint Maclou. Was he aware it was a potato box? 

I doubt it, says Belle. He was quite young at the time.

When one thinks about it, says Saint Méen, one wonders why there was a THIS WAY UP sign on a potato box.

So they knew which way to grow, says Terence.

Do you mean the potatoes? asks Roo-kai.

Yes, the potatoes, says Terence.

But the finger would have been on the outside of the box, says Roo-kai.

How do you know? asks Terence.

It's the convention, says Belle. Anyway, the legend of Saint Roley is what it is. 

A wise remark, says Saint Méen. 

I'll go back to the MuMa, says Belle, and see if they've got any spare boxes. Meanwhile, see if you can persuade the carrot to write that note.

She heads back to the MuMa, which is the André Malraux Museum of Modern Art, and which is bound to have boxes.

She enters the gift shop. 

Bonjour encore! says the gift shop assistant.

Hi! says Belle. Just wondering if you've got any spare boxes, about this size.

You want a free one? asks the gift shop assistant.

If you've got one, says Belle. Either with a finger or a blank space to draw a finger.

We've got these pencil boxes that feature the Sistine Chapel frescoes, says the gift shop assistant.

Perhaps too many fingers, says Belle. Might be confusing.

Okay, says the gift shop assistant. Try this one.

She brings out a box that is decorated with paintings of birds ( finch, barn owl, swan, crimson fronted parrot) and tasteful advertisements for soap and chocolates.

This one is pretty, says Belle. Is it free?

You are lucky today, says the gift shop assistant. Because yes. it is free. We are discontinuing these boxes.

Fantastic! says Belle.

She accepts the box, and returns to the others.

Guess what? says Terence. The carrot won't write ANYTHING!

I bet it will now, says Belle, placing the beautiful bird, soap and chocolate box in front of the carrot.