Wen-U-No-Wear

Not long now, says Gaius.

I'd forgotten how long this flight was, says Denis Diderot. It's years since I did it.

Indeed, says Gaius. One has plenty of time to gather one's thoughts.

Is that what you've been doing? asks Denis.

Yes, says Gaius. Weighing the pros and cons of our cuttlefish project.

Removal of the eggs? asks Denis. 

Terence's head pokes up, from the seats in front.

Can I come over? asks Terence.

Come round, says Gaius. It's safer.

Terence disappears, then comes back, via the aisle.

He is holding what once was a muffin and now is the head of a parrot.

What's this marvel? asks Gaius. 

My parrot, says Terence. Leonardo did it.

He is talented, says Denis, admiring the features. 

Are these passionfruit seeds? asks Gaius. They make excellent eyes.

Yes, says Terence. And this is his beak. But it's only made of muffin

I see that, says Gaius. 

And when he talks he sounds a bit....begins Terence

Muffled? asks Denis.

Ha ha, laughs Gaius. Sorry, Terence. How does he sound?

Muffiny, says Terence.

I can't help until I hear what he actually sounds like, says Gaius.

Talk, muffin, says Terence.

The muffin is embarrassed. What should it say?

It probably doesn't know what a parrot should sound like, says Denis.

True, says Gaius. Let us make parrot sounds and see what happens.

He makes a parrot sound: weet-weet!

Denis makes a different one: chirr-chirr!

That's only singing, says Terence. What about when it's telling me where something is?

A great deal more complicated, says Gaius. That involves human-like speech.

My parrot has to learn human-like speech, says Terence.

Then speak to it, says Denis. It will learn by imitation. 

Okay, says Terence.

He speaks to his muffin-parrot. 

When you know where something is, and I don't, then you say, wait here and I'll bring it.

The muffin-parrot is uncertain what part of this speech he should say.

Wen-u-no-wear, says the muffin parrot.

No, says Terence. I'm not nowhere. And the thing isn't nowhere, because you know where it is.

I-bring-it! says the muffin parrot.

Yes! says Terence. 

The muffin is elated. He did it!

But you still sound like a muffin talking, says Terence..

Weet-weet, chirr! says the muffin-parrot.

Try again, says Terence. 

Gaius looks at Denis. 

Terence is doing a good job teaching human-like speech to his muffin.

Now where were they?

Oh yes, the cuttlefish eggs.....

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