"That's a funny rule," said Miss Cricket. "But then you are a funny
fellow, Mr. Monkey on a Stick."

"If you think I'm funny, you ought to see my friend, the Calico Clown,"
said the Monkey. "He's full of jokes and riddles. He has a queer one
about a pig making a noise under a gate."

"My goodness! why did he do that?" asked the Grasshopper.

"Do what?" inquired the Monkey.

"Why did the pig make a noise under the gate?" the Grasshopper wanted to
know. "Why couldn't he stay in his pen where he belonged, or in the
barnyard?"

"That's what the riddle's about, I suppose," said the Monkey. "Anyhow,
none of us can answer, and the Clown's always asking it. If you want to
see some one really funny, meet the Calico Clown."

After a little more talk among the three friends, the Monkey said he
thought he would hop along and see if he could find the two boys or the
dog.

"Aren't you afraid, if you find the dog alone, he may bite you?" asked
the Grasshopper.

"Oh, my, no!" exclaimed the Monkey. "Carlo is a friend of mine. If he
found me he would take me home to Herbert's house. I had even rather
find him than the boys, for I can talk to the dog, and I can't talk to
Dick and Herbert."