Time we were off? exclaimed Ageless. But we've only just arrived.
We're not getting anywhere, said Baby Pierre. Have you forgotten the quest?
No I haven't, said Ageless. The Jellyfish Oracle is an old friend. We've been chatting.
Yes, said the Jellyfish Oracle. Some folks don't know the value of chatting.
There's no value in chatting, said Baby Pierre. It's just wasting time.
Wrong! said the Jellyfish Oracle. I have learned something new about sand dunes.
What? asked Baby Pierre.
They move, said the Jellyfish Oracle. They move over rubbish and hide it, then
they move on and the rubbish appears again. It's brilliant.
That's not quite the point, said Ageless.
What kind of rubbish? asked Baby Pierre.
Tins, said Ageless. I think Ralph's rubbish was tins.
Ah, tins, said Baby Pierre. That gives me an idea.
I hope you're not going to suggest what I think you're going to suggest, said Ageless.
He is, he is! said the Jellyfish Oracle, getting excited.
How do you know? said Baby Pierre?
I'm an Oracle, derrrr, said the Jellyfish Oracle.
How about letting me in on it? said Ageless.
Well, said Baby Pierre, your tin of yam biscuits is holding you up, right?
Not necessarily, said Ageless. Sometimes I'm holding it up. Oh....you mean it's a nuisance!
Yes, said Baby Pierre. So why don't you leave it on the beach in front of a sand dune, and wait till the sand dune moves over it?
Not likely! said Ageless. They're not that sort of dunes. These dunes are more likely to disappear altogether, due to coastal erosion.
Goodness! Are they? said the Jellyfish Oracle. But this is my home!
Showing posts with label Jellyfish Oracle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jellyfish Oracle. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
On the Move
Baby Pierre looked back at the Jellyfish Oracle's rock. There was Ageless, comfortably perched on the edge, nattering away about something. No wonder Lavender was impatient. Baby Pierre was feeling pretty impatient himself. Perhaps it was time to say something.
Ageless and the Jellyfish Oracle were talking about Kobo.
And how is dear Kobo? asked the Jellyfish Oracle.
Oh, much the same, said Ageless. Being a fossilised clam means you don't change that much.
Tell me about it, said the Jellyfish Oracle. Being a mosaic means much the same thing. You don't know how lucky you are.
Yes, but there's always the fear, said Ageless.
True, said the Jellyfish Oracle. You fear a horrible death. But Kobo and I, we fear boredom.
Nonsense, said Ageless. That's what books are for. Kobo never gets bored. She was the one who introduced me to stories. I bet she would love this book about sand. I shall send it to her when you've read it. There's a wonderful part about dunes.
Dunes! said the Jellyfish Oracle. What sort of dunes?
Sand dunes in Africa, said Ageless, the crescent-shaped ones called barchans. They move slowly across the desert, never changing their shape.
How do we know? asked the Jellyfish Oracle.
We know, said Ageless, because of Ralph Bagnold's rubbish. He was a scientist interested in sand dunes. In 1930 he camped in front of a barchan, leaving his rubbish behind to be buried as the barchan advanced. Fifty years later, another scientist found Ralph Bagnold's rubbish 150 metres away, behind the barchan. So he knew exactly how far the barchan had moved.
How delightful, said the Jellyfish Oracle. I like stories about things that move.
That's good, said Baby Pierre, appearing suddenly behind them. Because it's time we were off.
Ageless and the Jellyfish Oracle were talking about Kobo.
And how is dear Kobo? asked the Jellyfish Oracle.
Oh, much the same, said Ageless. Being a fossilised clam means you don't change that much.
Tell me about it, said the Jellyfish Oracle. Being a mosaic means much the same thing. You don't know how lucky you are.
Yes, but there's always the fear, said Ageless.
True, said the Jellyfish Oracle. You fear a horrible death. But Kobo and I, we fear boredom.
Nonsense, said Ageless. That's what books are for. Kobo never gets bored. She was the one who introduced me to stories. I bet she would love this book about sand. I shall send it to her when you've read it. There's a wonderful part about dunes.
Dunes! said the Jellyfish Oracle. What sort of dunes?
Sand dunes in Africa, said Ageless, the crescent-shaped ones called barchans. They move slowly across the desert, never changing their shape.
How do we know? asked the Jellyfish Oracle.
We know, said Ageless, because of Ralph Bagnold's rubbish. He was a scientist interested in sand dunes. In 1930 he camped in front of a barchan, leaving his rubbish behind to be buried as the barchan advanced. Fifty years later, another scientist found Ralph Bagnold's rubbish 150 metres away, behind the barchan. So he knew exactly how far the barchan had moved.
How delightful, said the Jellyfish Oracle. I like stories about things that move.
That's good, said Baby Pierre, appearing suddenly behind them. Because it's time we were off.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Lavender Stuffs Up
Ageless and the Jellyfish Oracle continued to talk about Sand. Lavender became impatient.
Come on Baby Pierre, she said. I know where there's a better Oracle than this old Jellyfish one.
She dragged Baby Pierre back to the rock of the Seagull Oracle, opposite number 291.
Baby Pierre said nothing, but he was secretly impressed by the Seagull Oracle's address. Number 291, that was Ageless's age, as of this morning. It might be an omen.
Seagull Oracle, said Lavender, me and Baby Pierre want to know something.
Whaaaat? croaked the Seagull Oracle.
We're looking for the Immortal Jellyfish, said Lavender. Where is it?
Waaark! said the Seagull Oracle. Ask Gaius. He's a fisherman. He was on the jetty last night. He knows all about jellyfish.
No, he doesn't, said Lavender. He sent me to you.
Did you look in his bucket? said the Seagull Oracle?
No, said Lavender. Something yucky was inside that bucket.
There you are then, said the Seagull Oracle.
I knew someone called Gaius, said Baby Pierre. He rode in the Tour de France.
You don't say? said the Seagull Oracle. I wonder if it was him?
What kind of oracle are you if you don't know? said Lavender.
Oracles answer questions, said the Seagull Oracle. They don't know anything.
He rode for Team Bumptious, said Baby Pierre. He ate mints. He thought he'd get disqualified for cheating, but he didn't. His team didn't win.
That sounds like Gaius, said the Seagull Oracle.
Oh splittereens! said Lavender. Get back to the subject why don't you!
Baby Pierre and the Seagull Oracle stared.
What's up Lavender?, said Baby Pierre. And what do you mean, 'splittereens'?
It's what statues say when they're broken, said Lavender.
Come on Baby Pierre, she said. I know where there's a better Oracle than this old Jellyfish one.
She dragged Baby Pierre back to the rock of the Seagull Oracle, opposite number 291.
Baby Pierre said nothing, but he was secretly impressed by the Seagull Oracle's address. Number 291, that was Ageless's age, as of this morning. It might be an omen.
Seagull Oracle, said Lavender, me and Baby Pierre want to know something.
Whaaaat? croaked the Seagull Oracle.
We're looking for the Immortal Jellyfish, said Lavender. Where is it?
Waaark! said the Seagull Oracle. Ask Gaius. He's a fisherman. He was on the jetty last night. He knows all about jellyfish.
No, he doesn't, said Lavender. He sent me to you.
Did you look in his bucket? said the Seagull Oracle?
No, said Lavender. Something yucky was inside that bucket.
There you are then, said the Seagull Oracle.
I knew someone called Gaius, said Baby Pierre. He rode in the Tour de France.
You don't say? said the Seagull Oracle. I wonder if it was him?
What kind of oracle are you if you don't know? said Lavender.
Oracles answer questions, said the Seagull Oracle. They don't know anything.
He rode for Team Bumptious, said Baby Pierre. He ate mints. He thought he'd get disqualified for cheating, but he didn't. His team didn't win.
That sounds like Gaius, said the Seagull Oracle.
Oh splittereens! said Lavender. Get back to the subject why don't you!
Baby Pierre and the Seagull Oracle stared.
What's up Lavender?, said Baby Pierre. And what do you mean, 'splittereens'?
It's what statues say when they're broken, said Lavender.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Opposite 293
It was early morning on the Esplanade at Henley when Lavender drew level with Number 293. She looked in amongst the rocks opposite. She saw a flat rock with a colourful jellyfish mosaic stuck to it. At the same moment, she saw Ageless and Baby Pierre.
Hello, said Lavender. You took your time.
Ha ha, said Baby Pierre. Looks like you only just got here.
I've been here all night, said Lavender, and I've found out lots of things.
Like how to get here, said Baby Pierre. You should have waited for us. Ageless knew where to come. Look Ageless. Lavender's here.
Lavender! said Ageless. I see you've found the Jellyfish Oracle all by yourself. Well done! Now Lavender. I don't suppose you know anything of the whereabouts of the statue of Rabbie Burns?
No, I don't, said Lavender. I don't know anything.
Excuse me! said a jellylike voice. But unless you have come to consult me, would you mind moving along.
Jellyfish Oracle! said Ageless. Don't you recognise me?
No, said The Jellyfish Oracle. Who are you?
Ageless Lobster, said Ageless, coming out from behind the book of sand and tin of biscuits, which he had been pushing in front of him ever since he got off the bus.
Oh, hello Ageless, said the Jellyfish Oracle. What's the book?
It's a book about Sand, said Ageless. It's very interesting. But these biscuits are just a liability.
Sand, said The Jellyfish Oracle. I should very much like to read that after you've finished with it.
Certainly , said Ageless. I shall be happy to lend it to you. It is due back at the library by the end of the month. Care for a biscuit?
No thanks, said the Jellyfish Oracle. Nice tin though.
Baby Pierre and Lavender looked at one another.
He knows him, said Baby Pierre.
That sucks, said Lavender.
Hello, said Lavender. You took your time.
Ha ha, said Baby Pierre. Looks like you only just got here.
I've been here all night, said Lavender, and I've found out lots of things.
Like how to get here, said Baby Pierre. You should have waited for us. Ageless knew where to come. Look Ageless. Lavender's here.
Lavender! said Ageless. I see you've found the Jellyfish Oracle all by yourself. Well done! Now Lavender. I don't suppose you know anything of the whereabouts of the statue of Rabbie Burns?
No, I don't, said Lavender. I don't know anything.
Excuse me! said a jellylike voice. But unless you have come to consult me, would you mind moving along.
Jellyfish Oracle! said Ageless. Don't you recognise me?
No, said The Jellyfish Oracle. Who are you?
Ageless Lobster, said Ageless, coming out from behind the book of sand and tin of biscuits, which he had been pushing in front of him ever since he got off the bus.
Oh, hello Ageless, said the Jellyfish Oracle. What's the book?
It's a book about Sand, said Ageless. It's very interesting. But these biscuits are just a liability.
Sand, said The Jellyfish Oracle. I should very much like to read that after you've finished with it.
Certainly , said Ageless. I shall be happy to lend it to you. It is due back at the library by the end of the month. Care for a biscuit?
No thanks, said the Jellyfish Oracle. Nice tin though.
Baby Pierre and Lavender looked at one another.
He knows him, said Baby Pierre.
That sucks, said Lavender.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Trickiness
It was almost morning by the time Lavender found Number 291, the Esplanade, a large red brick bungalow. She crossed the road to search amongst the rocks for the Jellyfish Oracle.
Craaark! said a voice.
Who's that? said Lavender, startled.
Are you looking for me? said the voice.
Are you the Jellyfish Oracle? asked Lavender.
No, said the voice, disappointedly. I'm the Seagull Oracle. I don't know why nobody ever wants to consult me.
I know, said Lavender. You're at the wrong address. This is the address of the Jellyfish Oracle.
The Jellyfish Oracle lives next door, said the Seagull Oracle. Opposite number 293.
Why don't you change places? asked Lavender.
We can't move, said the Seagull Oracle. That's the thing about oracles.
Lavender peered at the Seagull Oracle in the dim early morning light. He appeared as a colourful mosaic cemented to a flat rock.
I see, said Lavender. Well thank you Seagull Oracle. I'll be moving along. But if you want my advice...,
I don't, said the Seagull Oracle, oracles don't receive advice. They give it.
All the same, said Lavender, it would be easy enough to advertise your real address somewhere in Henley Square, wouldn't it. You could put up a sign. Seagull Oracle, opposite Number 291 the Esplanade. Advice given. Or something like that.
Can't do that, said the Seagull Oracle, definitely not.
Why not? asked Lavender.
That's the Jellyfish Oracle's address, said the Seagull Oracle.
But it's wrong, said Lavender.
Craaark! said the Seagull Oracle. I predict that you will find the Jellyfish Oracle nonetheless.
None the less? said Lavender, who had heard about the trickiness of oracles.
Nonetheless, said the Seagull Oracle, who hadn't.
Craaark! said a voice.
Who's that? said Lavender, startled.
Are you looking for me? said the voice.
Are you the Jellyfish Oracle? asked Lavender.
No, said the voice, disappointedly. I'm the Seagull Oracle. I don't know why nobody ever wants to consult me.
I know, said Lavender. You're at the wrong address. This is the address of the Jellyfish Oracle.
The Jellyfish Oracle lives next door, said the Seagull Oracle. Opposite number 293.
Why don't you change places? asked Lavender.
We can't move, said the Seagull Oracle. That's the thing about oracles.
Lavender peered at the Seagull Oracle in the dim early morning light. He appeared as a colourful mosaic cemented to a flat rock.
I see, said Lavender. Well thank you Seagull Oracle. I'll be moving along. But if you want my advice...,
I don't, said the Seagull Oracle, oracles don't receive advice. They give it.
All the same, said Lavender, it would be easy enough to advertise your real address somewhere in Henley Square, wouldn't it. You could put up a sign. Seagull Oracle, opposite Number 291 the Esplanade. Advice given. Or something like that.
Can't do that, said the Seagull Oracle, definitely not.
Why not? asked Lavender.
That's the Jellyfish Oracle's address, said the Seagull Oracle.
But it's wrong, said Lavender.
Craaark! said the Seagull Oracle. I predict that you will find the Jellyfish Oracle nonetheless.
None the less? said Lavender, who had heard about the trickiness of oracles.
Nonetheless, said the Seagull Oracle, who hadn't.
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