Not Be Toxic

Speedy and Shorty are lurking a few metres out from the shore.

What d'you reckon his plan is? asks Shorty.

Dunno, says Speedy. But he's made a bold move.

Yeah, says Shorty.

They're bringing a spade! says Speedy.

And one of them's got a camera, says Shorty.

Maybe he's getting a new photo, says Speedy. That bus one was useless.

It was okay, says Shorty, but they don't stay on the buses forever.

I guess not, says Speedy, but a photo of Great White Teacher being helped off the beach with a spade? What's the message?

No idea, says Shorty. Unless it's to gain sympathy.

An oystercatcher flies down and bobs on the water beside them.

Food alert! says Shorty.

It's me, says Roo-kai.

Where've you been? asks Speedy.

Looking for molluscs that weren't affected by toxic algae, says Roo-kai. I had to go a long way.

So you could eat them? says Speedy.

Yes, says Roo-kai. 

Makes you think, says Speedy.

What about? asks Shorty.

The molluscs, says Speedy. Were they lucky, or not?

What would you rather? asks Shorty. Not be toxic but be eaten because of it, or die of toxicity.

Before you think about that, says Roo-kai, tell me why Great White Teacher has put himself in that foolish position?

It's all part of a plan to gain sympathy, says Speedy.

We think, says Shorty. We don't know.

I'll go and find out, says Roo-kai.

He launches himself from the water and flies to the beach.

Well? asks Shorty.

Not be toxic, says Speedy. 

And be eaten because of it? asks Shorty.

I wouldn't be eaten if I swam away fast enough, says Speedy.

You've forgotten something, says Shorty.

What? asks Speedy.

You're a mollusc, says Shorty. 

What type? asks Speedy. 

Yes what type? They don't know what type of mollusc Roo-kai has eaten. Not all molluscs can swim. 

Their hypothetical flounders.....