Unforgettable Names

The Kroombit tinker gives the pobblebonks a lecture.

We frogs eat spiders, insects and worms, says the Kroombit tinker. Not pizza toppings.

There were no spiders, insects or worms on the pizza, says one of the pobblebonks.

I should think not, says Katherine.

The prawns looked like frog food, says the pobblebonk.

Didn't you think something was wrong when you tasted the chilli? asks the Kroombit tinker.

No, says the pobblebonk. 

Never mind, says the Kroombit tinker. What have you learned from this episode?

Eat spiders, insects and worms, says the pobblebink.

Spiders, insects and worms, say the other two pobblebonks.

Very good, boys, says the Kroombit tinker.

You're a good mother, says Greedy.

Thank you, Greedy, says the Kroombit tinker.

Now we should all turn in, says Gaius. We leave in the morning for Gladstone. From there we shall devise an itinerary.

What's an itinerary? asks Terence.

Where we're going, says Nerida. I'm going home. I've missed heaps of school.

Where am I going? asks Terence.

To Adelaide, with us, says Katherine. Then to Florence, with ....who will Terence be going with?

Me, I suppose, says Gaius. Terence may be responsible for the pobblebonks, but I'm responsible for the Kroombit tinker.

And me, says Greedy. I'm the other house mother.

It is not in that capacity that I feel responsible for the Kroombit tinker, says Gaius.

You don't have to come, Greedy, says Terence.

You're coming, Greedy, says the Kroombit tinker. I'll be responsible for you.

And us, say the pobblebonks.

No, I am, says Terence.

She jumped on our backs and made us spew out the prawns, says a pobblebonk.

But I'm in charge, says Terence. What have you learned from this lesson?

Spiders, insects and worms, say the pobblebonks.

Correct, says Terence. And guess what else? 

What? ask the pobblebonks.

You're going to have your own names, says Terence. So you don't get mixed up.

A good idea, says the Kroombit tinker.

Can we choose them? ask the pobblebonks.

Okay, says Terence.

Spider, says the first pobblebonk.

Insect, says the second

Worm, says the third.

Those are confusing names for a frog team, says Nerida. Why don't you add something like pobble?

Or bonk, suggests Arthur. 

Spider-bonk, Insect-bonk and Worm-bonk, laughs Katherine. 

Unforgettable names.