“Yes,” the Pretty Lady said, nodding her head and speaking very thoughtfully, “yes, that is true.” And then silence fell on the group. A moment later, and as if to herself, she added, “Why, why not? Yes, it could be done. I can arrange to take them and then bring them back.”
“What is it you are saying?” asked Lion.
“Just this,” answered their guest as she leaped to her feet. “I was wondering how I might help you all to find stories. Now of course the most natural way is to have you meet with adventure.”
“But where?” asked Zebra.
“Out in the great world, to be sure. Indeed there is no reason at all why I should not carry one of you off with me this very evening.”
“Oh, let me go! Let me go!” cried Monkey, dancing up and down.
“Be silent, sir,” Lion commanded. “Perhaps, Pretty Lady, you will propose the one who will be the first to accompany you.”
“But would not the drawing of lots be a much happier way?”
“Draw lots, to be sure!” they all echoed, in answer.
“I’ll attend to the details,” volunteered Diggeldy Dan. And gathering an armful of sweet-smelling hay, he dashed out of sight behind Giraffe’s gilded home. Soon he returned with a bundle of straws protruding from his tightly clasped hands. Now the tops held to view were as evenly matched as the straws in a very new broom; while the opposite ends were completely concealed by the cuffs of Dan’s baggy white sleeves.