Atop the Crown Tree

## Introduction

**Sharla:** Isn’t it nice, climbing up trees? It really takes me back...

**Riki:** To when Sharla was a littlepon?

**Sharla:** Yes, exactly. Ah, to be a little girl again...

**Riki:** Riki feel like littlepon too!

## Gain (+8)

**Sharla: *[I’m not surprised.]*** I’m sure you loved climbing trees when you were little, just like me.

**Riki:** Sharla good at climbing trees? Sharla look like proper lady. Riki not know Sharla climb trees.

**Sharla:** That’s very nice of you to say. I’m really not that ladylike. I couldn’t get enough of sitting at the top of trees...

**Riki:** Riki and littlepon love climbing trees together! But but...

**Sharla:** What is it, Riki?

**Riki:** One littlepon not like it.

**Sharla: *[Oh dear! Why not?]*** Did something happen to them?

**Riki:** Riki know reason. When Riki take eyes away from littlepon, littlepon got scared! Littlepon stuck at top of tree and wait for Riki for whole day!

**Sharla:** Oh, that sounds horrible. Are they OK now?

**Riki:** Other littlepon at school tease my littlepon because not climb now. All Riki’s fault...

**Sharla:** Don’t beat yourself up, Riki. With some love and care, the little one will be fine. And when they’re ready, you can take them climbing again.

**Riki:** Riki like Sharla’s idea! You are nice Hom Hom, Sharla.

**Sharla:** And you’re a good father, Riki. The bestest Heropon father!

## Net 0 (+4, -4)

**Sharla: *[I’m not surprised.]*** I’m sure you loved climbing trees when you were little, just like me.

**Riki:** Sharla good at climbing trees? Sharla look like proper lady. Riki not know Sharla climb trees.

**Sharla:** That’s very nice of you to say. I’m really not that ladylike. I couldn’t get enough of sitting at the top of trees...

**Riki:** Riki and littlepon love climbing trees together! But but...

**Sharla:** What is it, Riki?

Riki: One littlepon not like it.

**Sharla: *[A Nopon that can’t climb?!]***

**Riki:** Village has lots of littlepon that can’t climb trees!

**Sharla:** Sorry, Riki. I shouldn’t stereotype your people.

**Riki:** Plus, littlepon have good reason! Riki take eyes away from littlepon. Then littlepon get stuck in tree. Littlepon waited for Riki long time. Now littlepon not like climbing.

**Sharla:** Oh no, they’re too scared to climb trees anymore?

**Riki:** Will all be OK. Before littlepon grow big, Riki fix littlepon to like trees again.

**Sharla:** Riki... You’re a good father. Your littlepon are proud of you. Look at me, starting to well up...

**Riki:** Riki always think about littlepon. Littlepon most important to Riki! Sharla make good mamapon too one day.

**Sharla:** I hope so too, Riki. I hope so too.

## Net 0 (-4, +4)

**Sharla: *[What a strange thing to say.]***

**Riki:** Riki say something strange? Sharla mad at Riki?

**Sharla:** No, nothing like that. It’s just... surprising. To hear you say you feel young. You’re sort of childish anyway.

**Riki:** Riki not child, Riki all grown up!

**Sharla:** I know, I know. You’re older than Dunban, aren’t you?

**Riki:** Riki much much much older than Dundun! Riki marry Oka, Riki have children, soon become grampypon!

**Sharla: *[You’re very responsible.]*** If I were in your position, I’m not sure I could cope.

**Riki:** But Sharla can’t be daddypon!

**Sharla:** No... That’s not what I meant. I mean... One day, I hope to have a family of my own, like you.

**Riki:** Sharla will have big family! Riki know this. Heropon’s instinct! ‘All good things come to those who wait!’

**Sharla:** Riki, what a lovely phrase! Where did you learn it?

**Riki:** Chief Dunga tell Riki. When Riki and Oka not yet couple. Riki want to be with Oka, so Dunga teach Riki new phrase.

**Sharla:** Well I think it’s lovely, Riki. Thank you for sharing it with me.

## Loss (-8)

**Sharla: *[What a strange thing to say.]***

**Riki:** Riki say something strange? Sharla mad at Riki?

**Sharla:** No, nothing like that. It’s just... surprising. To hear you say you feel young. You’re sort of childish anyway.

**Riki:** Riki not child, Riki all grown up!

**Sharla:** I know, I know. You’re older than Dunban, aren’t you?

**Riki:** Riki much much much older than Dundun! Riki marry Oka, Riki have children, soon become grampypon!

**Sharla: *[You don’t act like it.]*** You’ve built up quite a debt.

**Riki:** B-b-but... Riki’s tummy hurt! Riki think Sharla should stop talking about debt!

**Sharla:** Now now, Riki. You can’t avoid your responsibilities.

**Riki:** Sharla wrong wrong wrong! Riki work very hard for family. But not enough for Oka and littlepon. Never enough...

**Sharla:** Eleven mouths to feed is a lot. I don’t envy you, Riki.

**Riki:** Riki keep working and pay back debt. Riki promise! Riki want all littlepon to become bestest Heropon of village!

**Sharla:** Just like a proper dad! All right then, Riki. Go and make your family proud!