The Blue Knight took up his quill thoughtfully and began to write.
It was very warm in the bakery as the ovens were being prepared for the first bake of the day. The three Kongs were forced to take off their space suits, as they soon became intolerably hot.
A huge vat of proved yeasty dough sat upon the great kneading table, bubbling like lava.
After some moments the Baker said in an authoritative voice, stand back everybody, and the Kongs flattened themselves against the bakery walls.
From within the yeasty mass of bread dough a faint glimmer of light showed, burgeoning with each moment it rose out of the bowl, and, now shining like light itself, flew up the chimney and disappeared.
You have just witnessed the birth of a new star, said the Baker, a very rare and special occurrence.
What happens now, said the second Kong, it was all very fast. I’m a bit disappointed to tell you the truth. Especially after travelling all these years. I think I want my cocktail shaker back.
As to that, said the baker, not a chance. But come outside now to see the new star take its place in the heavens.
They all trooped outside, the three Kongs and the Baker. Outside, the star had risen and was hovering above the bakery, getting brighter and larger as time passed. Then as if to welcome the new star, a number of stars out from the heavens came down and surrounded their new comrade. They moved slowly around the new star as if communicating with it, and then all the stars together, old and new, flew up into the heavens to take their places.
This is most interesting, said the top Kong, we, in our innocence, had always assumed that new stars were formed by the coalescence of massive gas clouds in interstellar space. Now we have seen the wonder of a star rising from the yeast to take its place in the heavenly firmament, a new and splendid science project can begin.
Firstly, we would like to discover, from your good self, the recipe and manufacturing method of your dough or failing that, we could offer to buy the dough itself from you with some great reward that you yourself might name.
Too late to buy the dough I’m afraid, said the Baker, my wife and co Baker will have already cut it to pieces and placed it in the great ovens. As to the recipe, well there is a problem right there, as, to be completely honest, I never really know what I’m doing from one bake to the next. I get up so early that I have not gone to bed. I throw things into the bowl before my eyes have opened and often finish kneading the dough before my first coffee. So, I’m afraid I cannot help you.
That is a shame, said the third Kong. We would have paid all kinds of prices for such a prize. A trip in our spaceship, as much gold, or whatever passes as currency here, as you can carry, a knife that never gets blunt, a dog with seven legs which we found and any amount of information on dark matter. I could go on, finished the third Kong but as you no longer have anything to trade with us, we shall leave. With this he turned away and prepared to button up his space suit.
Now hold on a minute, said the baker, I’m sure we can work something out. A dog with several legs sounds very interesting. I will be making a batched of scones latter, with raisins.
Will there be any star formation involved? said the Kongs in unison hopefully, or any other interplay of matter on a grand scale? and by the way its seven legs, not several.
No, I don’t think anything dramatic will occur, said the Baker, but they are really delicious when fresh from the oven.
The three Kongs put on their space helmets and prepared their spacecraft.
Of course, said the Baker hurriedly, I could always make some Focaccia later, the making of the Focaccia dough has more often than not resulted in a memorable sighting of the Aurora Borealis.
The three Kongs turned around as one. Count us in, said the head Kong, we will record the manufacture of your Focaccia in minute detail, down to the last molecule, so that we may ascertain the scientific connection between the dough and said celestial events.
We must also discuss further my price, beamed the Baker.
Of course, said the second Kong.
The Blue Knight put his quill down gently and blew upon his words to dry the ink.
Hail Blue Knight! came a voice from behind him, wilt thou not come and raise a toast to all things equal and just with us.
The Blue knight turned to see the valiant Knight Vivainne Desegur and her partner brave Ser Constance approaching through the columns of the cloister.
Put away your writing and come celebrate this festive season with your friends. Constance and Vivainne enveloped the Blue Knight in a mighty embrace.
Did you think that we had forgot you here in the Great City of Az? said Vivainne.
The Blue Knight smiled as they walked together along a moonbeam that came there for them.
The Guardians of the Cave 