But, to the clown’s great surprise, not a single animal made answer.
“My goodness!” he cried, as he swung around on Hippo’s vast back the better to be able to face them, “do you mean to say that not one of you has thought of a story? Why, Mr. President, I am indeed astounded! I—”
“Aw, now, Dan, don’t be talking like that,” protested Monkey. “I know a lot of stories only I just can’t remember one right now.”
“And those I know are all so very old,” pleaded Great White Bear, while all the rest seemed ready to excuse themselves on much the same score.
“Well,” said Lion, “in view of all this, there seems to be but one thing to do and that is to put on our thinking caps and not take them off until each has thought of a story. So let us get down to business at once. Tiger, you will kindly come forward and stretch yourself on the ground. There—that is the way. Now, then, do you slowly wave your tail from one side to the other. Exactly. You, Dan, will keep count of the tail-waves until you have recorded exactly one hundred. And until that number is reached there’s not to be a word from a one of you. Instead, you are to keep silent and think. All ready now—go!”
At this word of command Tiger’s tail began to rise and to fall and Dan’s head to nod down and then up as he kept exact track of the waves of it. Quite at the same time all the others solemnly puckered their brows, half closed their eyes, or pillowed their chins as folks always do when they engage in deep thought.
Time passed.
Tiger’s tail floated up and down through the air.
Dan’s head continued to bob and to count.
Lion gazed about with so severe an eye that hardly an animal dared breathe. Not a sound broke the silence. And then, of a sudden—!