Finding Ferdie

(The lost and found desk at the Metropolitan Pool in Brooklyn, on a Saturday morning.)

Ottilie: My friend Ferdie has my goggles. Can you find him?

Woman: I can try. What does he look like?

Ottilie: He's friendly. And he's funny.

Woman: That's not really a description. Is he tall? Short?

Ottilie: Sort of tall. Taller than me.

Woman: Everyone here is taller than you.

Ottilie: He's better at swimming than me, too.

Woman: I can't look for a boy who's funny.

Ottilie: Oh — and he's got my bottle. It's large and pink, with my name on it.

Woman: A large pink bottle. Now that I can find.

(Two minutes later.)

Woman: Here's your bottle. Ferdie was holding it, and your goggles were on his head.

Ottilie: See? He's friendly.