So You're Lost

It's a female orange-bellied parrot.

Is it you? asks the Tzeet.

I might ask the same question, says the female orange-bellied parrot.

Doesn't she know?

You are not my brother's sweetheart? asks the Tzeet.

Brother? Sweetheart? says the female orange-bellied parrot, who appears not to know who he is, nor his brother, nor his Sweetheart.

Never mind, says the Tzeet. 

I just got here, says the female orange-bellied parrot. Was that you singing?

Yes, says the Tzeet. I'm trying to attract someone who knows me.

Does it have to be someone who knows you? asks the female orange-bellied parrot.

There's a search party looking for me, says the Tzeet. And a reward.

So you're lost, says the female. What an idiot!

She is about to fly off. Who wants to mate with someone who doesn't know where he is?

What chance would their children have of finding their way back to Adelaide in the winter?

She hesitates.

On the other hand, most of the orange-bellied parrots she's met so far already have partners.

And there is the reward to think of.

She turns back.

I'll wait with you, says she.

The quoll returns, his mouth full of brown feathers.

Ith thith ther? says the quoll, seeing the female.

No, says the Tzeet. It's a new one. She answered my call.

The quoll spits out a long curly feather.

What's that you've been eating? asks the female.

A plump tasty emu wren, says the quoll. What's it to you?

Nothing, says the female. Pretty feather.

Want it? asks the quoll. Take it.

She picks it up with her beak.

Does it suit me?

The Tzeet is shocked. What sort of female is she?

Come on, says the quoll. The reward awaits. Let's hope it divides into three equal parts.

They head off together, with confidence.

Unaware that there is no reward.