(Pause.)

‘I could have filled books,' said the dishevelled little owl,

‘...and books,

‘...and books,

‘…and books,

‘…and books, but…’

(Pause.)

‘I didn’t want to,’ said the dishevelled little owl. 'So...

‘I cut,

‘...and cut,

‘…and cut,

‘…and cut, but…’

(Pause.)

‘Things still wouldn’t fit,’ said the dishevelled little owl. 'So...

‘What did you do?’ asked the small girl.

‘I included…’ said the dishevelled little owl.

‘What?’ asked the small girl.

‘Just the single, most important, true thing,’ said the dishevelled little owl.

(Pause.)

The small girl caressed the book in her hands.

She turned it back to front and back again.

She opened the covers.

She fingered the single page.

‘So simple!’ she said.

(Pause.)

‘Exactly,’ said the dishevelled little owl.