Now time was passing wonderfully as Gollup was enjoying the honey and nuts, with a great appreciation of the different jams, much to the pleasure of Sesha Toodle – as you see – she was very proud of her jams and went on to tell the story of all how many mopsies would come from all over just to have a taste of her wonderful jams (all in perfect rhyme of course),

“The recipe was my mothers,
given to her and her brothers,
from grandmothers secret mystery,
staying in the family history.

For each quantity of honey and spice,
is what makes the jams so nice,
and all the ingredients a secret,
i’ll give you some you want i bet!”

very happy, which of course made Barlet Toodles beam with pride of the attributes of Sesha Toodles with glances and gazes of adoration which of course warrants the number of little Toodles – whom by now were playing and zigging here, and zagging there, laughing and chattering as little Toodles tend to do, leaving only Barlet and Sesha and Gollup together at the table comfortably sipping honey tea.

Now Gollup so grateful for the wonderful lunch and being a good mannered gollup (as all gollups were good mannered), insisted that he be allowed to wash and dry the dishes and then wash and dry the dishes again in thanks of the marvelous meal, now not so adverse to mixed company having a full stomach and having enjoyed such delectable sweets, (as gollups do indeed have a very sweet tooth – of which gollup was the only one, or so he thought as he didn’t know that Barlet has said, “Yes, yes you are, the first gollup today so far!”)

Barlet, taking cue from Gollup and having such an adoration for Sesha – as was evident to his glances and gazes toward her, agreed whole heartedly and declared,
“well i shall help you then dear fellow,
why don’t you relax dear Sesha in the meadow,
and gather the children for the rest of the walk,
while this fellow and I will wash and talk!”

to which Sesha replied,

“oh my dear husband you are a dear,
to wonderful for me I fear,
as sometimes you have me too high up,
that tonight a present to eat for sup!”

as she stood up and straightened her dress and adjusted her scarf about her head, and walked into the clearing to play with and gather the children. While both Gollup and Barlet stood up and gathered the dishes and cutlery of knives and forks and spoons – of which there were two sizes – together walking to the washing basin just off from the picnic tables.

“So tell me my dear friend” began Barlet,
“We have spoken endlessly,
with constant chatter your ear to bend,
and it just clearly seems to me,

that perhaps you would like to tell,
a little about yourself as well!”

Well Gollup whom had a vast vocabulary, though not prior to today used speaking in a manner having been a solitary creature not comfortable in mixed company, except that mixed company which was excellent at not speaking. Though happily giddy on nuts and jam found that mixed company itself was actually not such a bad thing after all, especially when sweets were involved, of which he enjoyed a bountiful amount, began to tell Barlet a little about himself, though guarded still as to his residence.

“well there isn’t much to tell i’m afraid, i am a very solitary creature by nature, enjoying my own company, though please don’t misunderstand as your family is entirely enjoyable, now that i’ve had a chance to see how charming and wonderful you truly are, and i have to ask you, how did you come upon such a wonderful family?”

Now this question was a perfect question to ask as Barlet, beamed and glowed, and as mopsies (as of course there were more than 1), were happy to talk, as is their habit to talk constantly, and of course in rhyme,

“well its a charming story to say the least,
that I should be so blessed to tell you,
for sasha indeed is gifted to this lovely beast,
far beyond any hopes before or anew!

It was many years ago when we first met,
at a dance when I was but a younger man,
though bold and brash, not of the better set,
to be gifted such a precious mate so grand!

However, tonight after sup i will share,
as I’m sure that Sesha will have her say,
and mistakes on this i would not dare,
as I’d love it if you would consider to stay!

So tell me more about yourself,
as I would like to meet you clearly,
for quiet seem you toward a distant health,
and it would be a shame not to know you dearly!

So please indeed to tell to me,
what is your name and what you see!”

now gollup was a little caught off guard with such an intrusion, as this was the sort of mixed company that he really didn’t find comfortable, however, the Toodle family was so warm and inviting he felt that the least he could do was try to tell what he knew of himself and so on, so he began to speak,
“well I’m Gollup, and a gollup though I am the only one I see to call myself Gollup -”
“You’re the only one? ah i see son” acknowledged Barlet with a questioning eye.

“Well yes, i’m the only one! As I have never met another gollup then i must be the only one wouldn’t you say?”
continued Gollup

“Ah of course i understand, which of course is very grand!” answered Barlet, not wanting to interrupt Gollup on his speaking as Gollup until now had only said, “hmmmm” or “ahhh” and “mmhmmm” mostly while eating as gollups are very vocal when they enjoy their sweets.

So gollup told of his first meeting with another gollup which in truth became his only reflection, while the entire time Gollup washed and Barlet dried, for Gollup to pick up the dried dishes and cutlery to wash them again, as Barlet, rather confused by this, dried them again, more interested in listening to Gollups tale of the brook by the tree’s where he sat to snack.

When the dishes had been washed and dried, and then washed and dried twice, Gollup and Barlet packed up the carrying case, which Barlet immediately strapped to his back, while Sesha had finished cleaning the faces of the children, and Gollup went to clean his teeth in the sink where the dishes had been cleaned.

After everyone was finished with the after eating chores and well organized, little Needee Toodle grabbed Gollup hand and firmly pulled him forward to join the rest of the Toodle clan.

Back on the road the little Toodles of Ceedee and Meedee ran ahead zigging this way and zagging that way, with Sesha humming a little tune walking just a little bit ahead, as Needee held firmly to Gollups hand walking beside him examining him intently, while Barlet seemed distant and distracted which was a surprise to Gollup as Barlet up to this point hadn’t stopped chattering except when they were washing dishes, in order to listen to Gollup tell his tale of the first time seeing his own reflection in the brook by the meadow under the trees during his morning snack.

So they walked along in silence as little sounds came from Barlets snout, and the children ran ahead and behind and twitched their little noses smelling the air as their whiskers moved up and down.

When Barlet spoke,
“my dear friend Gollup i have a question,
which accounts for my distraction,
I have to wonder as i listened and admire,
whether you have ever been to wunderlingshire?”

“for you see my dear friend which now you are,
I’m afraid a surprise will await you i’m sure,
as you seem to think – and rightly so,
that you’re the only gollup that you know.”

Now Gollup rather surprised said simply, “Yes its true, this is my very first trip to anywhere actually, as i’ve never wandered far from my homestead”

To which Barlet took a deep breath and said,
“Now Gollup my friend,
I hope I do not offend,
but before we descend into town,
I tell you which should be known.”