Something Feathery Vibrating

 Rosalie reaches the black brick hole first.

It's one of many.

But only one emits sounds of coughing.

She stoops and looks in.

Do you have a torch? she asks Gaius.

Not with me, says Gaius. Perhaps Margaret will have one.

He turns to ask Margaret if she has a torch.

No, sorry, says Margaret.

If I was a proper parrot I'd get one, says Prawny.

Yes! says Terence. You're learning!

Learning what I can't do, says Prawny.

At least you're trying, says Terence.

I'm not trying, says Prawny. I caused all this trouble.

What trouble? asks Terence.

The frog we're supposed to be observing is choking, says Margaret. That's trouble.

It's not Prawny's fault, says Terence.

So is it your fault? asks Margaret. You wanted Prawny to fly.

It's the super-parrot's fault, says Terence. He gave Prawny the wings.

Su-PERB parrot, says Margaret.

He was trying to help me, says Prawny.

You should call him, says Terence. He might bring us a torch.

This is not a great idea for two reasons.

1. Prawny has no way of calling the superb parrot

2. The superb parrot will not have a torch

But a torch is not needed.

Gaius has reached into the hole and pulled out Prawny's tail.

Prawny's tail! calls Gaius.

Yay! says Terence. Hear that, Prawny?

Yay, mutters Prawny.

The coughing is getting louder, says Gaius. I'll reach in again.

He reaches into the darkness and yes! he feels something feathery, vibrating. 

Prawny's wings?

He draws them out slowly.

Yes, it's them. Two straggly juvenile superb parrot feathers.

No longer good for anything.

A frog voice is heard, from the hole.

Rr! Rr! 

Are you all right in there? asks Gaius.

Rr...

It doesn't sound very vigorous, says Rosalie.

No it doesn't says Gaius. What should we do?

I'll fetch a torch, says Rosalie. You wait here. 

She wades out of the shallow pond and heads off to get one.

Gaius wades back to Terence and Prawny, and shows them the tail he's recovered.

But not the feathers.