Two Uses Of String

Gaius and Denis are busy reassemblig their bikes.

Belle has gone home in a taxi.

Terence is introducing Roo-kai to the muffin.

It's getting made into a parrot, says Terence. It just needs some wings.

It will need more than that, says Roo-kai.

No-wear, says the muffin.

I taught it to say that, says Terence.

Why that in particular? asks Roo-kai.

I was explaining what to say if it knows where something is, says Terence.

Nowhere? says Roo-kai. That's not very useful.

It's short for I know where, says Terence. It's only meant to say it if it knows.

And you don't, says Roo-kai. 

Yes, says Terence. If I lose something. 

Like your claw, says Roo-kai. Here it is, by the way.

Roo-kai hands Terence the claw that he lost back in June.

The muffin is listening and learning.

Terence loses something. The parrot finds it. But what are the wings for?

Okay, says Roo-kai. That's done. Now I'm heading to Henley.

What for? asks Terence.

Observing the foam, says Roo-kai. It's all over the beach and the esplanade. 

I no-wear, says the muffin.

He is practising the words Terence said no-wear was short for.

Would the muffin like to come with me? asks Roo-kai.

Yes! says Terence. You can teach him to fly.

Hardly, says Roo-kai. But I can show him what flying is like, and show him what's happening along our coastline.

Gaius has finished reassembling his bicycle.

Roo-kai! says Gaius. Did I hear you say you're going to Henley?

Yes, there's an abundance of foam there, says Roo-kai. It blew ashore overnight.

Could I trouble you to bring me a sample? asks Gaius. I'm off home now.

I'll drop by this evening, says Roo-kai.

He steps forward to pick up the muffin. 

How will he do this? thinks the muffin.

Are you taking the muffin? asks Gaius. 

I offered to, says Roo-kai. Does he have a container?

The egg box! says Terence.

That's for the cuttlefish eggs, says Gaius. It now has a door. It may be too tight for the muffin.

It won't be, says Terence. 

Gaius produces the egg box, and opens its circular door.  

He wants to see out, says Terence.

Squeeze his bottom half in gently, says Gaius.

Got any string? asks Roo-kai. So I can fly unimpeded.

We're in luck, says Gaius. My bike's flat pack was secured with it. There's some string on the ground.

Soon the muffin is ready to fly to Henley.

Suspended from a real parrot. 

This is simpler than he expected.