The Old Gray Horse heard the Watch Dog barking and whining, and said, “What is the matter with you, Watch Dog? Why do you bark and whine so?”
“Wouldn’t you bark and whine if you could?” answered the Watch Dog. “Mr. Leghorn has fallen into the brook and is drowned; Mrs. Leghorn is screaming and cackling; Wind-Mill is swinging his arms and creaking; the Big Barn Door is slamming and banging; and the Old Red Ox is pawing and bellowing. That’s why I am barking and whining.”
“The poor things!” said Old Gray Horse. “I’ll prance and neigh. What more can I do?” And he fell to prancing and neighing with all his might.
The Weather-Vane looked down from his high perch and saw the Old Gray Horse prancing and neighing. “What’s the trouble, Old Gray Horse?” he called out. “Why are you prancing and neighing so?”
“Trouble indeed,” answered the Old Gray Horse. “Mr. Leghorn has fallen into the brook and is drowned; Mrs. Leghorn is screaming and cackling; Wind-Mill is swinging his arms and creaking; the Big Barn Door is slamming and banging; the Old Red Ox is pawing and bellowing; and the Watch Dog is barking and whining. That’s why I am prancing and neighing so?”
“O dear, O dear,” said the Weather-Vane, “what shall I do? I’ll whirl and point. That’s all I can do.” And he fell to whirling and pointing with all his might.