Pings Dings And Gauges

Gaius continues his interview.

How do you frogs envisage your future?

We don't, says the friends of the Kroombit tinker. We only envisage the past.

I've told him that, says the Kroombit tinker.

It's all right for you, says her friends. You're off to Florence.

And when I return? says the Kroombit tinker. I'll have to get used to Kroombit Tops all over again.

You'll have tales to tell, say her friends.

You guys must have tales to tell, says Nerida. What do you remember?

The pings and dings of the laboratory, the dials and gauges, the fun singalongs, say the friends.

I told them about those, says the Kroombit tinker. We even had one, last night.

A singalong? says her friends. What did you sing?

I sang The Long and Winding Road, says the Kroombit tinker.

We love that song! say her friends. One starts humming. Hm hm hm hm-hm hmmmmm...

If you had kids, says Nerida, I mean tadpoles, you could teach them.

That's not how we roll, say the friends. 

On the other hand, says Gaius. If you had tadpole progeny, they would not inherit your longings. They would feel at home in Kroombit Tops.

That's something to think about, say the friends of the Kroombit tinker.

It is indeed, says Gaius. Now before we leave you, may I take a group photo?

O yes! say the friends of the Krombit tinker. Will you send us a copy?

I don't see how that will be possible, says Gaius.

What about the postcard from Florence? says Nerida.

That too may be difficult, says Gaius.

But you must have connections, says Nerida. Being an ecology-science-type person.

Well, yes I suppose so, says Gaius. Remind me later.

Sure, says Nerida.

The Kroombit tinker and her friends line up for the photo.

Frog arms draped over frog shoulders. Wide smiles.

Snap! It's a keeper.

Nerida takes one as well.

They say goodbye to the friends of the Kroombit tinker, and return to the campsite.

To find that the 4WD drive vehicle has gone!