My Three Best Children

 I'll need a jar, says the pobblebonk.

Nobody has one, says Terence. 

An alternative to a jar, says the pobblebobk.

What's that? asks Terence.

Something you can fill with water, says the pobblebonk.

What's if it's already filled with water? asks Terence.

That would save trouble, says the pobblebonk. Go and get it. I'll wait here with my children.

Terence runs back to the campsite.

It's still dark. He tries to be quiet.

Rustle rustle.

Who's that? asks Nerida.

No one, says Terence.

What are you doing? asks Nerida.

Getting some water, says Terence.

Have some of mine, says Nerida.

Okay, says Terence. He takes her springwater bottle, and turns to run off,

Where are you going with it? asks Nerida.

To the creek, says Terence.

Why? asks Nerida.

Too late. Terence has gone.

The pobblebonk is on the creek bank, looking down at his children. 

Bonk-bonk! Way too many!

Only three of you will be coming, says the pobblebonk. You, you and you. The rest of you stay.

Aw, say the tadpole children who will not be coming.

Terence appears with the springwater bottle.

Here, says Terence.

That is a rather narrow opening, says the pobblebonk.

So what? says Terence.

The children I've chosen are the fat ones, says the pobblebonk. They may not get in. They certainly won't get back out.

Yes we will ! cry the three chosen children. We can do it!

Nerida looms up behind them.

What are you guys doing? asks Nerida.

Having a problem, says Terence.

What is it? asks Nerida.

Terence explains that the three fattest tadpoles are the prize for the blessing competition, but they might not fit into their bottle and if they do they might never get out.

Geez! says Nerida. And there was me thinking I might like to win it.

These are my three best children, says the pobblebonk.

Sorry, says Nerida. I shouldn't have said that. Here, let me help you squeeze them in.

The three best children swim up to the open neck of the bottle.

The first one stops, half way in.....