Thinking Up Riddles

Is this on Instagram? asks someone.

No, says Nerida. We're just feeding the frogs.

It should be, says another person.

She takes out her phone.

We have to go now, says Nerida. Our flight's leaving soon.

Are they performing frogs? asks another person. 

No, says Nerida. These frogs are dedicated to science.

Science? 

The crowd melts away.

Nerida and Terence return to Pie Face with the frogs.

Just in time, says Katherine. Our flight's been announced. We should go to the boarding gate.

They all go to the boarding gate.

Show their boarding passes. 

And get on the plane.

We heard you'd been given a more substantial box, says a flight attendant.

Yes, says Gaius. But the specimens prefer the sick bag.

I'm sorry sir, says the flight attendant, but this is a longer flight. Your specimens need to travel in the box you were given. And we were led to believe they were dead. How can they prefer a sick bag?

Dead? says Gaius. 

Arthur gives him a nudge.

Well yes, of course, says Gaius. I sometimes identify with my specimens, being a natural historian.

Dead ones? asks the flight attendant.

Yes, says Katherine. Dead ones. Are we holding things up?

Enjoy your flight, says the flight attendant.

Phew! says Nerida. That was a close one.

Why? asks Terence.

The frogs are supposed to be dead, says Nerida. Otherwise there'd be quarantine and paperwork and all that stuff.

Phew! says Terence.

They find their seats. The plane takes off for Adelaide.

Terence is sitting in between Arthur and Nerida.

Gaius is sitting with Katherine.

The frog team and the Kroombit tinker are in the substantial box in the overhead locker.

Lucky we've eaten, thinks the Kroombit tinker. But this flight will be long. I should organise something to keep the team's spirits up...

Right boys, says the Kroombit tinker. I want you to think up some riddles. While you're thinking, you can lie on your backs and air-cycle. It's good for your legs.

Spider-bonk, Insect-bonk and Worm-bonk are happy to follow these instructions.

They lie on their backs in the dark, air-cycling and thinking up riddles.