Third Eyelids And Teeth

I'll go next, says Gaius.

Please do, says the pobblebonk.

This is an old Roman blessing, says Gaius.

I don't mind, says the pobblebonk. 

May the gods grant you all you deserve, says Gaius.

The pobblebonk tries to digest this.

His three best childen have stopped cavorting, and are watching his face.

No wonder the Roman Empire collapsed, says Katherine.

Do you like it? asks Terence.

That depends, says the pobblebonk.

What on? asks Terence.

The meaning, says the pobblebonk.

Ask Gaius, says Terence. He said it.

What do I deserve? asks the pobblebonk.

What indeed, says Gaius. This blessing is intended to encourage you to examine your life.

Frogs don't do that, says the pobblebonk.

Speak for yourself, says the Kroombit tinker.

I was, says the pobblebonk.

You weren't, says the Kroombit tinker. 

Next! says Gaius. As Terence is going last, it must be you,  Arthur.

May you never be dissected, says Arthur.

That's a mysterious blessing, says the pobblebonk. What is dissected?

It's when a scientist pins you to a board by your appendages, and cuts you open to see what's inside, says Arthur.

Ha ha, laughs the pobblebonk. That wouldn't happen.

It does happen, says Gaius, but these days they anaesthetise you first.

No, they actually kill you, says Nerida. So it's a useful type blessing.

Why would a scientist want to see what's inside me? asks the pobblebonk.

For biology, says Nerida. My friend did it. She said her frog had a third eyelid and two sets of teeth.

She didn't have to cut her frog open for that, says the pobblebonk.

There was other stuff, says Nerida. But it was kind of disgusting.

So do I win? asks Arthur.

The pobblebonk looks at his three best children. They are inspecting one another, for teeth and third eyelids.

But they are still fat little tadpoles, and don't have them.

No, says the pobblebonk. You don't win. You have made me feel disconcerted.

Yay! says Terence. That means I do!