Make the knot, [the Fool repeats out loud, but takes advantage of their relative stillness to work his quick, dextrous fingers around their tiny bodies, freeing them from the string that entraps them. Wryly, he says,] It appears to me you are succeeding in making a knot, though perhaps not the desired one.

Look, [he adds, and withdraws one of the elegant-looking knots from a pocket in his scarlet cloak, and presents it to them to be admired.] I've made one of my own already. Can you replicate that? I can aid you, if you like.