Eaten For Nothing

 It's a competition, says Terence. And the winner gets these!

My three best children, says the pobblebonk.

The three best children look pleased.

They speed up, doing aquatic tricks in the bottle.

They look energetic, says Arthur. What's the competition?

Best blessing, says the pobblebonk.

Is it for you? asks Arthur.

Yes, says the pobblebonk. I choose the best blessing, then I leave with the blessing, and the winner gets three of my children. Of course, I have others.

The three best children start doing ever more complex manoeuvres.

The pobblebonk raps on the bottle.

Enough of that, my children! 

I might enter, says Arthur.

You can't, says Terence. You only just got here.

He can, says the pobblebonk. All blessings welcome.

Not fair, says Terence. Freddy got eaten for nothing.

I'm sorry, says Arthur. But I'm going to enter.

Arthur goes off to see about emptying his tent, which has been filled with apples and springwater, during his absence.

Gaius is already there, looking for an apple.

Arthur! says Gaius. At last! When did you get here?

A couple of hours ago, says Arthur. What's been happening?

Many things, says Gaius. Terence found a Kroombit tinker. A female. She seems to be missing her old life. Fascinating. Oh and I have been latched onto by a pobblebonk, but we are dealing with that situation in a manner you might find amusing.

I know, says Arthur. The blessing competition. I told Terence I'm going to enter. 

Good for you, says Gaius. 

And by the way, I ate Freddy, says Arthur. 

That's not like you, says Gaius.

In a way, it is, says Arthur.

If you say so, says Gaius. Anyway, first things first. All these supplies must be moved back into the 4WD vehicle. I'd help you, but I'm interviewing the Kroombit tinker.

I could sleep in the vehicle, says Arthur.

As you wish, says Gaius. 

Katherine appears in a track suit.

Arthur! says Katherine. What fun! Ready for the blessing competition?

Ready, says Arthur. When is it?

Straight after breakfast, says Katherine. Come to my tent if you'd like instant porridge.

Instant porridge? says Gaius. Why have I not heard of this?

You just add water, says Katherine. 

Remarkable, says Gaius.