Leg-Like Lumps

That is not how you win, says the pobblebonk. 

But I will win, says Terence. 

Then what is your blessing? asks the pobblebonk.

Terence looks at the pobblebonk. 

Looks at the three best children, swimming around in the bottle.

Soon they will be his three best children.

Not that they are any fun at the moment.

But when they grow legs, he can let them out of the bottle.

The pobblebonk said so.

May you... begins Terence, and stops.

He had been going to say 'May you decide that I win'.

But he has just thought of something longer and better.

May your children grow legs fast so I can let them out of the bottle, says Terence.

The pobblebonk is taken aback by this blessing.

He looks at the children.

They are pressing their little tadpole faces against the side of the bottle.

That's not really a blessing for me, says the pobblebonk. 

In a way it is, says Gaius. Your children will know that you cared for their future.

And the gods will grant you what you deserve, says Nerida.

If there are any gods, says Katherine.

That is irrelevant, says Gaius. 

How come? asks Nerida.

Irrelevant if the pobblebonk chooses Terence's blessing, says Gaius.

Can't I accept all of them? asks the pobblebonk. I'm choosing the winner, but they are all blessings I shall treasure.

That's so sweet, says Nerida. 

Except for 'May you never be dissected', adds the pobblebonk. I won't treasure that one.

Surely you don't want to be dissected, says the Kroombit tinker.

I don't wish to be reminded of the possibility, says the pobblebonk.

Fair enough, says the Kroombit tinker. I guess I wouldn't either.

So do I win? asks Terence?

Yes, says the pobblebonk. You win my three best children. And the gods, if there are any, will see I am a provident father.

The tadpole children roll their small eyes.

Hurry up and get going, daddy. Let us get on with our future!

Goodbye, all, says the pobblebonk. Goodbye my children. May you grow legs and prosper.

He hops away, counting his blessings.

Terence claims the bottle.

He stares hard at the three tadpole children. 

Yippee! They already have leg-like lumps on their sides.