Part III: Chapter 18, An Entertainment With Animals; Epilogue, The Return Summary and Analysis

The Durrell's are having a party. They have all decided they will invite everyone they know regardless of level of affection. Everyone rushes around the villa in one level of preparation or other except for Larry who is sleeping.

Gerald is preparing his larger terrapin pond to honor the capture of Old Plop aided by Kosti. The cage is nearly complete except for goldfishes Gerald believes would make the perfect final touch to the scene. Gerald beseeches Spiro to help him find some. Once Spiro understands what "golden fishes" are, he declares the task impossible. Soon enough however, Spiro takes Gerald on a mission to spirit away five fat goldfish from the king's palace.

Gerald happily adds the goldfish to his new terrapin...