CHAPTER V
IN WHICH GIRAFFE GIVES A CHALK-TALK AND THE ANIMALS LEARN A NEW GAME
Now when the fourth day had turned to twilight and the animals of Spangleland had gathered to continue the meeting that had resulted in the election of Lion as President of Animals and Diggeldy Dan as Secretary, Zebra announced that he had a matter of much importance to bring to their attention.
“It has to do with Giraffe and his folks,” began Zebra, as he bobbed his head and flopped his long, striped ears in the direction of those to whom he referred. “As all of us are aware, neither Giraffe nor any of his ancestors have ever been known to speak. When we consider the great amount of talking many of us ofttimes do without really saying much, I am sometimes of the opinion that our big-eyed brothers show no little wisdom by preserving strict silence. Still I feel that Giraffe and his family should have a voice in our different discussions, if they so desire, and think it only fair that they be consulted as to their wishes.”
While Zebra had been speaking, it was noticed that Giraffe had been all attention and, when Lion from his place in front of all the animals, asked him if he had anything to say, he nodded most positively.
“Very well, then, Giraffe; we will, indeed, be glad to hear from you,” said Lion, as he crossed his paws and leaned back in an attitude of strict attention.
By this time, all the eyes of all the animals were on Giraffe. And so were those of Diggeldy Dan, who sat astride Hippo, the circus poster spread out before him, his pen poised in mid-air, ready to jot down any and all things that might come to pass.
And, as they watched, Giraffe unfolded his long, lanky legs and, for all the world like two boys on two pairs of tall stilts, made his way from the rear of the group and walked around to the side of Diggeldy Dan. Then, bending his mile-long neck, he thrust his nose into the depths of Dan’s pocket.
“Here, here!” cried the clown, “there are no carrots there!”
“Silence, Dan!” commanded Lion.
Even at this moment, Giraffe removed his nose and there, in the tips of his lips, was the top which, as you may remember, the clown had drawn out when he brought forth the bottle of very red ink. Down went the top on the broad back of Hippo and back went Giraffe’s nose in the pocket of Dan. And, this time, the searcher’s ears began to wiggle with delight and his eyes to twinkle with glee. For when his nose next came forth there, held tight in his mouth, was a piece of bright yellow chalk.