Darkness Too Soon

Baby Bin Penguin is excited that Terence is coming.

Surfing-with-Whales has told him Terence is stuck to a skateboard, so he won't be surprised.

Also that Terence is being pulled in a pullalong, behind Gaius.

So when Baby Bin Penguin spots Gaius in the distance, pedalling towards him....

It's them! cries Baby Bin Penguin.

Gaius sees Surfing-with-Whales standing beside Baby Bin Penguin, and stops.

We should take turns pulling Terence, says Surfing-with-Whales.

Good idea, says Gaius. 

Where are we? asks Terence.

Terence! squeaks Baby Bin Penguin. You're here!

Yes I'm here, says Terence. I just have to get lifted out of this thing with my skateboard.

Surfing-with-Whales lifts him out, along with the skateboard.

Dragons! says Baby Bin Penguin.

They're just underneath, says Terence. There's nothing on top.

Except you, says Baby Bin Penguin.

I'm stuck to it, says Terence. But Gaius is getting me unstuck with vinegar.

So I am, says Gaius. Let us sit on the grass and get started.

He takes the vinegar out of his back pack.

Shakes a few drops over Terence's hand.

Now we wait for it to soften, says Gaius.

How long? asks Terence.

That depends, says Gaius.

On how good the glue is, adds Surfing-with-Whales.

It was a cheap glue, says Gaius. Which means it may soften easily.

Wiggle it, suggests Baby Bin Penguin.

Terence tries to wiggle his hand but his palm remains stuck to the skateboard.

I'm going to grab a coffee, says Surfing-with-Whales. Want one?

Thanks, says Gaius. 

Surfing-with-Whales goes off, and Gaius lies back on the grass, relaxing.

I missed you, says Baby Bin Penguin.

Me too, says Terence.

Hwark! laughs Baby Bin Penguin. That means you missed you.

No it doesn't, says  Terence. It means I missed you too.

But there's only one of me, says Baby Bin Penguin.

I know, says Terence.

I think Baby Bin Penguin was making a joke, says Gaius. A pun was intended.

He's good at jokes, says Terence. 

Thanks, says Baby Bin Penguin.

Tell me another one, says Terence.

 A penguin joke or a bin joke? asks Baby Bin Penguin.

Any joke, says Terence.

The less there is, the more you see, what is it? asks Baby Bin Penguin.

That's not a joke, says Terence.

It's a riddle, says Gaius. And I think Terence might know the answer. 

Darkness, says Baby Bin Penguin.

That's it! says Gaius. I thought you might have got that one, Terence.

I might have, says Terence.