Ask The Great Knot

Camus and Gaius must first drop Sweezus off in the city, then stop somewhere else for provisions.

Roo-kai is flying to Saint Kilda directly.

So why don't we follow Roo-kai.

Roo-kai was not offended, by the wasp killing. No. He has forgotten it.

He is thinking of the orange-bellied parrot. Will it be there?

He flies over Prospect, Gepps Cross, Mawson Lakes ...

Hnm-snff. Yes! He can now smell Saint Kilda.

He flies over the dying mangroves, and lands on the sand.

Great. He spies an Eastern Curlew. It might know what's what.

He approaches the Eastern Curlew.

Who are you? says the Eastern Curlew. Are you new?

Yes and no, says Roo-kai. Are you?

Not new, says the Eastern Curlew. 

Good, says Roo-kai. I was wondering if you might have seen an orange-bellied parrot, anywhere in this vicinity?

There were a few, says the Eastern Curlew. But it's spring. I reckon they've gone back to Tassie.

All of them? asks Roo-kai.

How would I know? says the Easten Curlew. Why don't you ask that Great Knot?

Roo-kai sees a Great Knot in the near distance.

He approaches the Great Knot.

Excuse me, says Roo-kai. 

What? says the Great Knot.

Seen any orange-bellied parrots? asks Roo-kai 

I have not, says the Great Knot.

What's that coming out of your nostril? asks Roo-kai.

Snot! laughs the Great Knot.

(the trouble with Great Knots is you're tempted to provoke this kind of answer).

Roo-kai wonders how he can re-frame his question.

Fortunately he doesn't have to. A Bartailed Godwit flies down providentially.

Looking for someone in partic-tic-tic-ular? asks the Bartailed Godwit.

Orange-bellied parrots, says Roo-kai. Or have they all gone to Tasmania?

No, says the Bartailed Godwit. Some new ones have just been released, and they missed the boat, metaphorically speaking.

This is good news for Roo-kai.