Evening. The forest grows dark.
Terence and Shane Corr should be back by now, says Pierre-Louis.
They should, says Gaius. I wonder what's holding them up?
Should we form a search party? asks Pierre-Louis.
Not yet, says Gaius. Shane Corr said he knew where to find us.
I'll go and look for them, says Squattu.
She flits off through the trees.
How's our blanket? asks Pierre-Louis.
Dry, says Gaius. But stiff down one side.
We should have cleaned it before drying it, says Pierre-Louis.
Then it might not have dried before evening, says Gaius.
We won't need it at night, says Pierre-Louis. We'll be working
True, says Gaius. We'll rinse it tomorrow.
After our morning nap, says Pierre-Louis.
So that's settled.
They both eat an apple.
A soft scraping sound is heard.
Scrape scrape (only softer).
Hear that? says Gaius.
A scraping sound, says Pierre-Louis. Could it be the possums?
Quiet, whispers Gaius. I think one has come down the tree.
Funny how they don't have names, whispers Pierre-Louis.
I do! says Banjo, from a low branch. My name is Banjo.
Pleased to meet you, says Gaius. Where is the rest of your family?
Up there, says Banjo. They're not coming down. Where's the bat gone?
She's looking for Terence, says Gaius.
What does Terence look like? asks Banjo.
Small, says Gaius.
Can't you do better than that? says Pierre-Louis.
Small, hard, wearing gecko shorts, says Gaius.
One of his fingers has been replaced by a claw, says Pierre-Louis. He did have a full head of curls, but a riding accident resulted in the loss of the side ones. And he has perfect balance.
So how did he have a riding accident? asks Banjo.
Um... says Pierre-Louis. Oh yes. His helmet was far too tight.
Have you understood all this information? asks Gaius.
No, says Banjo. But I would like to meet Terence.
You will, says Gaius. And soon, because I hear a loud trampling.
Terence runs into the clearing.
Guess what!
No need to guess what. A park ranger is right behind him.
Are these your parents? asks the park ranger.
No! cries Terence.
I am his guardian of sorts, says Gaius. What has happened?
We found him with Shane Corr, says the park ranger.
And is that a problem? asks Gaius.
Shane Corr was showing him how to cut down a tree with an axe, says the park ranger,
He wasn't! says Terence.
He was wielding the axe, close to a tree, says the park ranger.
In slow motion, says Terence.
Why would he do that? asks Gaius.
For safety, says Terence.
Axes are forbidden, says the park ranger. Well, now you're reunited, I'll be off. Have a nice night.
The ranger melts into the forest.
Woop! says Terence. We weren't doing anything.
I'm sure you weren't, says Gaius. And now we have a surprise for you.
A horse? cries Terence.
No, meet Banjo, says Gaus, indicating the tree.
But Banjo has scuttled back up it.
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