"Yes, you are always ready to jump out of your box as soon as the cover
is taken off," remarked the Lamb on Wheels. "But the rest of us are not
such high kickers as you are. I cannot jump at all. I can only run
around on my wheels, just as the White Rocking Horse, who used to live
here, could only go on his rockers."

"Well, what shall we do then?" asked the Jack. "I'm ready to do
anything."

"Suppose we have the Calico Clown play us a little tune on his cymbals,"
suggested the Bold Tin Soldier. "My men and I like to hear his music.
After that we will march around and then--"

"Then we must listen to what the Lamb has to say," cried the Monkey on a
Stick. "She said she had something to tell us."

"Oh, excuse me," came from the Bold Tin Soldier Captain, with a wave of
his shiny sward. "Perhaps you want to tell us your story now, Miss
Lamb?"

"No," she answered. "Later will do. It is not exactly a story--it is more
of a wish. But first I should like to listen to the Calico Clown."

"All right! Here we go!" cried the jolly Clown. He was a gaily dressed
fellow, and his calico suit was of many colors. One leg was red and
another yellow, and his shirt was spotted and speckled and striped.

The Calico Clown stood up near the box where the Bold Tin Soldier was
ready to lead his men in a march. And the Clown banged together his
shiny cymbals.