Drop Possum

Gaius has realised that Terence is not behind him.

He doubles back.

A flickering light comes towards Terence.

Guess what, says Terence.

You were lost, says Gaius. You should have your own torch.

Yay! says Terence. Where is it?

We'll have to buy you one, says Gaius. But obviously not tonight.

Okay. Guess what, says Terence.

What? asks Gaius.

I found a possum, says Terence. It dropped on my head.

Unusual behaviour, says Gaius.

It was dead, says Terence.

Show me, says Gaius.

Terence turns around to go back where he came from.

Gaius follows, directing the torchlight ahead.

Scuttle-scuttle. Scree. Scruffle.

Small nocturnal animals scramble away.

But not the dead possum.

Terence stops.

This is where it was, says Terence.

Gaius shines the torch on the area.

Ah! A ringed tail. But no possum.

Yuck! says Terence. A whole possum was there.

Something has eaten it, says Gaius.

Powerful Owl, says Terence. He said it was his.

You encountered a Powerful Owl? says Gaius. Well done.

He was meant to wait here, says Terence.

Looks like he hasn't, says Gaius.

Swish! Down flies Squattu, landing next to the tail.

I found an owl, says Terence.

Owls are our enemies, says Squattu.

This one was friendly, says Terence.

Well anyway, I found a few promising tree hollows, says Squattu.

Wonderful, says Gaius. Lead on, Squattu.

Squattu is about to take flight, when...

Powerful Owl swoops down into the clearing.

Squee! squeeks Squattu.

Don't worry, I've just eaten, says the Powerful Owl.

As we have seen, says Gaius. Do you not eat the tails?

It was a big possum, says the Powerful Owl. One shouldn't overdo it.

You came back! says Terence. 

I came back, says the Powerful Owl, with a message. 

What is the message? asks Gaius.

Your friend is stuck up in a tree, says the Powerful Owl. He was looking for tree hollows.

Did he find any? asks Gaius.

Is that relevant? asks the Powerful Owl. 

It would be a bonus, says Gaius. Stuck, you say. We had better go and assist him. Will you lead the way?

No, says the Powerful Owl. I'm starting to feel hungry again. 

Squee! says Squattu. I'll find him.

She zooms off, being faster than any Powerful Owl who has just eaten a ringtail possum (except for the tail) could hope to be.