An Affecting Scene

It was late when they arrived home, but the lights were still on in the house.

Let's climb onto the window ledge, said Baby Pierre, and look through the window.

I can't get up there, said Frog. I'll wait down below.

So Ageless and Baby Pierre made their way up the wall, and on to the ledge and looked in through the window.

There's mummy! said Baby Pierre, pointing to Pierre in the corner. And there's the Manifest Stone.

That's your mummy? said Ageless. She has.... most unusual features.

Yes she has, said Baby Pierre. One of them is that she is bossy. Another is that she is religious. A third is that she is stupid.

I meant her appearance, said Ageless.

Don't be rude about my mummy! said Baby Pierre.

Sorry, said Ageless. The Manifest Stone looks .... less irregular.

The Manifest Stone is boring, said Baby Pierre. It never does anything. It just is.

Ah! said Ageless.

What do you mean, "Ah!"? said Baby Pierre. Don't tell me you are religious?

Well, said Ageless, I do tend to want to believe in something. I told your Aunt Kobo once that I believed in a Universal Creative Lobsterian Force...

Oh I remember, said Baby Pierre. She laughed so much she fell into the sink.

You mean that was TRUE? said Ageless, impressed.

Yes, it was true, said Baby Pierre. But she didn't get out of it by praying. Look, that's her over there! Near that pot. That pot wasn't there when I left. Nor were those white roses. And ....oh no! .....look!

Ageless looked.....

Breaking Away

Baby Pierre was back in the corner of the window sill with Mummy Pierre and the Manifest Stone. It wasn't long before he became bored.

Mummy, he began, do you think Ageless will ever find Auntie Kobo?

No dear, said his mummy. And I don't think he really wants to. Or that she wants to be found. He is a living creature and she is a fossilised clam. What could they do together?

Yuk! said Baby Pierre. I never thought about that.

Wait till you grow up said Mummy Pierre. Then you will understand. Meanwhile I think you would do well to keep still and contemplate the Manifest Stone.

No, said Baby Pierre. I am off.

What! cried his Mummy. Off where?

I am off to explore the wide world, said Baby Pierre. I want to learn what is on the other side of the window. I want to see the Red Star. I want to go to a Library. I want to find my daddy and see the red knitted hat.

I thought you were afraid of your daddy and the red knitted hat, said Mummy Pierre.

That is why I have to go, said Baby Pierre. I will not fear my daddy and I won't wear the hat. I want to tell him so.

Well, go if you must, said Mummy Pierre, with a sigh. But first say a prayer to the Manifest Stone.

No, I won't, said Baby Pierre. I am an atheist and a free thinker. I don't believe in the Manifest Stone.

Mummy Pierre glanced fearfully at the Manifest Stone.

The Manifest Stone smiled beatifically through its many orifices.